Hiring a tower crane is a major decision for any site. This guide takes you through the whole process — from the first enquiry to dismantling — so you know what to expect, what we take care of and what your side needs to prepare. For quick answers, see also Frequently asked questions.
1. The rental process in six steps
- Enquiry — you send us the basic details of the project (by phone, WhatsApp or the form): location, building height, heaviest load and its radius, approximate duration.
- Technical assessment — we propose a crane from the fleet that suits the project and, if needed, visit the site. We supply the technical data you need for preparation: ground bearing pressures, foundation requirements, the power connection required.
- Quotation — you receive a written quotation tailored to your project.
- Erection — we arrange transport, the mobile crane and the erection team. After erection the crane is inspected by an independent authorised company, which issues the inspection report.
- Use — the crane works on your site; we take care of routine servicing and of faults that are ours.
- Dismantling — give written notice at least 30 days in advance; we arrange dismantling and removal in the same order as erection.
2. Which crane suits your project?
U floti we have 16 Liebherr cranes: tower cranes (top-slewing) with capacities from 3 to 12 tonnes, jibs up to 70 m and heights up to 60 m, plus self-erecting (bottom-slewing) cranes for smaller, faster projects. As a rule:
- Tower cranes (EC-H series) — multi-storey buildings, larger residential and commercial projects, longer builds, heavy loads and long radii.
- Self-erecting (40K, 34K) — family houses and smaller buildings, shorter hires, tighter plots; faster erection and a smaller footprint on site.
You do not have to guess the model yourself: send us the heaviest load you lift and at what radius, the height of the building and the site address — we will propose a crane that covers the job with a safety margin, not a bigger (and more expensive) one than you need. You can try the reach on your own plot on our reach map, and get a first impression of what lifts what from the load calculator.
3. Preparing the site before erection
The most common cause of delayed erection is not the crane but an unprepared site. Before the agreed date, make sure of the following:
- Access route — the truck and trailer and the mobile crane must be able to reach the erection point; the ground along the route must carry heavy loads, and the route must be clear of materials, plant and other obstructions.
- Foundation — built and sufficiently cured according to the data we supply with the quotation (ground bearing pressures, anchor elements where required). Freshly poured concrete on the day of erection means a postponement.
- Space for erection — a clear area for the dismantled sections and for the mobile crane to work.
- Power — a connection of adequate rating with a distribution box, working from erection until dismantling is complete. We supply the exact figures (power, fuses) with the quotation for the specific crane.
- Permits and traffic management — occupation of public space, traffic management and neighbours’ consent for the jib to oversail are the customer’s responsibility where they are required. We are happy to advise on what your location realistically needs.
4. Erection, inspection and start of work
Erection is carried out by a specialist team with a mobile crane; the date depends on scheduling and on the weather — in strong wind, ice or storms erection is postponed for safety reasons. A self-erecting crane is normally set up within one working day, a tower crane in 1–3 working days, depending on height and configuration.
After every erection the crane is inspected and tested by an independent authorised company, which issues an inspection and test report. This is not goodwill on our part but a statutory duty: work equipment that is relocated must be tested before it is put to use at each new place of work. Work starts once the report has been issued, and on longer hires the prescribed periodic inspections are carried out as well.
5. During the hire
- Crane operator — the operator is provided by the customer (unless the quotation says otherwise); only a trained operator holding a valid authorisation may operate the crane.
- Daily care — the operator checks the crane every day in line with the manufacturer’s instructions; report any defect you notice to us immediately.
- Wind — every model has operating limits set by the manufacturer; as a guide, work is normally stopped once gusts exceed ~72 km/h (20 m/s), and from about ~50 km/h onwards work proceeds with heightened caution, depending on the model and the load. Out of service the jib is left free to slew (weathervaning). This is not a fault but a safety rule — more on the page Wind and cranes.
- Faults — report them in writing (WhatsApp or e-mail is enough); we attend to faults that are ours without undue delay during normal working hours. Let us be honest: an immediate repair is not always physically possible (parts, team availability), so we do not promise one — we promise not to drag our feet. For sites that need a priority response, a standby arrangement can be agreed separately.
6. Extension, completion and dismantling
- Extension — is the build running late? Tell us as soon as you sense it, and no later than 30 days before the notified period ends. Cranes are planned ahead for the next sites, so earlier notice means a better chance that we can accept the extension.
- Notice of dismantling — in writing, at least 30 days in advance. Dismantling needs the same organisation as erection (transport, mobile crane, team, weather), so it cannot be done "in a couple of days".
- Preparing for dismantling — the same as for erection: clear access, space and power until the work is finished. Your responsible person should be present during dismantling.
The information on this page is for guidance only and does not constitute an offer. All contractual relations are governed by our General Terms and Conditions and the individual quotation.