10 Crane Terms You Should Know

Understanding some of the more common crane terminology will help ensure safe and efficient communication on your jobsite. Below are some of the more common crane terms you should know when working with a crane:

1. Boom – The boom is the structure of the crane that extends above house and supports the cables to which the load is attached. Pro Lift’s hydraulic truck cranes utilize telescoping booms which retract for easy transport and extend during operation.
2. Counterweights – Counterweights are crucial to keep a crane from tipping when lifting a load. The weights are modular and can be added or removed from the opposite side of the boom depending on the weight of the item being lifted.
3. Load Block – The load block is the assembly at the end of the load line (or hoist line) which contains the pulleys and hook used to attach the load.
4. Load Line – The load line is the wire rope (or cable) that extends from the end of the boom down to the load block. The load line is reeled in or out to raise or lower the load straight up or down.
5. Outrigger – Outriggers provide stability to the crane by extending outward from the chassis. They essentially increase the footprint of the crane to prevent tipping as well as level the crane during operation. It’s important to remember to make room for the outriggers when hiring a crane for your project.
6. Sheaves – Sheaves are pulley assemblies with a grooved wheel inside of a frame. They allow the wire rope (or cable) to move freely and minimize abrasion when the rope is redirected or used to lift loads.
7. Signaller – The crane signaller is one of the job site’s personnel that acts as the eyes and ears of the crane operator. When the crane operator’s view is obstructed, the signaller communicates to the operator using specific hand signals.
8. Sling – Slings are used to support or cradle the load to the hook. They can be made of wire ropes, chains, or synthetic fabric. Slings are available in a wide variety of configurations depending on the object being lifted.
9. Spreader Beam – A spreader beam (or lifting beam) is typically an I-beam that can be used to distribute the load of the lift across more than one point. This is especially useful when lifting an object that is too large to be lifted from a single point with a traditional sling.
10. Tag Line – A tag line is a rope attached to a lifted load. Tag lines help control the spin or swing of the load while ensuring the personnel are kept at a safe distance away from the load itself.

At Pro Lift Crane Service, safety is our highest priority. We believe the more our customers know about our hydraulic truck cranes, the better. If you have any questions about the services we offer or the items we can lift, feel free to contact us.