To crane or not to crane

Well, I accepted the crane job.

The crane super said I'll start off driving a truck for him while learning to be a rigger.

Then he'll train me to operate a crane starting off in the yard. Once I can operate it safe there, he said I could get seat time on jobs that don't require a certified operator.

I wonder, is there ANY rough idea on how long it takes for a guy to be proficient with a crane starting from "scratch ?

Thanks

 

Everyone is different, some have the "knack" some never get proficient no matter how long they run a crane.

 

I guess I was about 14 or so when my Dad got his first crane, and old Bucyrus Erie Hydrocrane. I guess I was running it well enough not to kill anybody within 6 months or so. Like JD said though, everybody is different. My personal opinion is close to half the people that try to become a crane operator never do get to what I'd call a decent operator. Some people just lack the hand/eye coordination and muscle memory to where you can make the crane do what you want without having to think about it.

I think want helped me was starting so young. Before the crane came along, I was operating forklifts, trucks, tractors, and such since I was probably 6 or so. Your brain can pick up on stuff like this much easier at a younger age. That's why I advocate getting young people around this stuff, even if on a limited or heavily supervised basis. You've also got to remember that for young people, the mechanics come fairly easy, but good judgement comes much older. Truth be told, I'm probably lucky to be alive, with all the stuff I was allowed to operate unsupervised at a very young age.

Just because you have a crane operator's certification doesn't mean you can run a crane either, it just means you can pass the test.

 

I would say do it, see if you like it, and are good at it....if so you can do alright....if not find what your good at. be very careful as crane work is very dangerous.go slow watch feet and hands etc.

 

Yea and hopefully no repeats of Big Blue falling. Remember wind speed is a big factor

 

That's a cute boom truck. wouldn't think of it as a crane tho.

 

So if a knuckle boom is not a crane......why did I have to go to crane school? Anyway we move and rig big cranes for wind farms so I think I've been around some bigger ones.and we unload 110+ft electrical poles with that boom

 

That's what I thought super trucker

 

You left off the biggie though, POWER LINES!

 

Yes sir!! You are correct.that is the end of you!!!! Anything less than two boom lengths you better be on top of your ####!!