r/cranes Jan 10 '26

State of the Sub

9 Upvotes

Hello all!

When I was made a moderator a little over a year ago, I had never been a mod before. I wanted to take some time to watch the sub and see what the mod side of things looked like. I then started a new job and didn't have the time or energy to start making changes. I tried to remove spam quickly, and I did better at some points than others. I have time now, and I want to try to set some things in motion to improve the subreddit.

I've seen complaints about mods being inactive and your frustrations with certain types of posts, particularly all the spam and posts soliciting advice for new and aspiring operators. I, too, would like to clean those up by establishing some rules to control certain types of posts and a stickied post or perhaps wiki to address repeated topics.

I would like to know what the community wants. If you have thoughts, please let me know in the comments. I'll give this post some time to collect your thoughts and consider your contributions, and then I will make another post to get your feedback on specific rules and other possible implementations before setting anything in place.

Here are some prompts to guide feedback, but feel free to add anything else you think would be constructive:

  • What types of posts do you value most?
  • How should self-promotion (apps, tools, YouTube channels, services, etc.) be handled?
  • What recurring topics should be handled by a stickied post or wiki?
  • What is the sub currently missing?

Working with cranes is challenging and rewarding. I want this subreddit to be a place we can enjoy sharing good moments, get advice from colleagues, and sometimes rant about the pipefitters (in a good-natured way, of course).

Thanks!


r/cranes 1d ago

The world’s largest SSCV, Sleipnir

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42 Upvotes

r/cranes 2d ago

AC unit lift with ltm 1150, Södertälje.

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28 Upvotes

r/cranes 2d ago

Canadian mobile/tower crane job market?

3 Upvotes

Looking at doing the New Brunswick Community College mobile crane operator course and wondering the outcome as far as job market. I'm not shy about FIFO work but it'd be cool to stay in Atlantic Canada near family if possible. Around here we have Irving company as well as a lot of docks in Saint John, as well as the docks in Halifax and a lot of other opportunities. Wondering about the broader job market on crane operation here in Canada before jumping in.

I know our economy is going down and down on a trend for a good decade with less investment on the horizon and I can only imagine that will impact industries that require operators as well.


r/cranes 1d ago

Need advice about pathways in Canada.

0 Upvotes

Im 25(M). I got my Class 1 last month. Approx 10kCAD for Melt and passed on first attempt in a Manual truck.

I enrolled right away into 40ton stiff boom w/ unlimited knuckle boom ticket ( Level A) in BC Canada.

Decision came from weighing in Local 115’s wait time to get training for Level B done (13.5k CAD for self sponsored, 3-4k if i somehow find employer who works with union ) & talking to potential crane companies in my area if they were hiring. Either they weren’t, or need ticket for some kind, or big companies only wanted me to haul first and “maybe” i get a chance at cranes.

Im entrepreneurial and vision is not to become the most proficient crane operator, but hopefully transition into business world of cranes.

Any advice of how to go about it from veterans of this industry. Could be operators who would do it different if they had to do it all over again, and id definitely appreciate advice from business owners.

Does have to be Canada alone, as im highly interested in US market too.


r/cranes 2d ago

Can you guess the crane type and capacity?

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25 Upvotes

Final checks done on these box beams. Any sharp eyes here know what kind of crane this is and how many tons it’s built for?


r/cranes 3d ago

Our second lift at Blue Origin. The 1,981,000 lb (898 Tonnes) Launch Table

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161 Upvotes

Bay Crane's second recovery lift on Friday at LC36 in 2 weeks was also with an 1,500t LR11350 and two 650t Manitowoc MLC650s. The table had to be lifted off the wall of the flame trench where it fell, then tripped to horizontal with the two MLCs. Mammoet then transported it to the assembly building for inspection and hopefully repair. (Legal footage shared by BO on X)


r/cranes 3d ago

Canadian going to FIFO Australia

3 Upvotes

I’d love to hear if anyone has any experience/recommendations about getting into Aussie FIFO.

I’m from Alberta and have worked in Fortmac for the last 4 years, so very familiar with the FIFO/mining lifestyle I run crawler cranes and heavy lift cranes. Would love to move to Australia and work in the mines there. What’s the process like and how easy would it be to get on over there with a good company and good schedule. Also how long would it take to get my tickets over there (knowing they unfortunately don’t transfer over). Thanks!


r/cranes 3d ago

What hourly rate should an experienced NCCCO crane operator expect in the Tampa area?

0 Upvotes

I'm relocating to the Tampa area and I'm trying to get a realistic idea of what I should expect to make.

I have 18+ years of industrial/refinery experience, multiple NCCCO certifications (TSS, TLL, BTF, STC), TWIC, CDL-B with Hazmat and Tanker endorsements, and experience with refinery turnarounds, rigging, and crew leadership.

For those of you working around Tampa, what would be a realistic hourly rate to ask for? Also, which companies would you recommend (or avoid)?

Thanks!


r/cranes 3d ago

Tennessee crane work

1 Upvotes

Anyone working union out in Tennessee? If so how’s the work right now?


r/cranes 4d ago

Little bit close there bud.

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59 Upvotes

r/cranes 3d ago

Work Out My Hours (RA)

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0 Upvotes

r/cranes 4d ago

TRHON Mantenimiento de Puentes Grúa y aparejos electricos

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1 Upvotes

r/cranes 4d ago

Breakages in an overhead crane or electric hoist due to the oblique lifting of a load. What is your experience?

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0 Upvotes

r/cranes 6d ago

How did you actually get into the crane industry?

11 Upvotes

I’ve been a commercial carpenter for about 6 years, and one of my favorite parts of the job has always been working around cranes. I’ve done some rigging and signaling, and every time I got the chance to work with crane crews, I enjoyed it. That’s what made me decide I wanted to become a crane operator someday.
To get started, I went out and got my unrestricted Class A CDL with endorsements because I figured that would help me get my foot in the door. I also called my local IUOE hall and got my name on the list, but it’s been a couple of months now and I still haven’t heard anything.
Since then I’ve applied to nearly every local crane company I can find. The first question almost every one asks is, “Are you already an operator?” When I say no, but explain that I’m looking to start as a driver, oiler, rigger, or whatever entry-level position they have so I can work my way up, the conversation usually ends right there. Some have flat-out said they’re not interested, some have hung up, and a couple even told me to go get my NCCCO before bothering to call them back.
What confuses me is that whenever I talk to crane operators, I constantly hear, “You have to start by doing the grunt work and work your way up.” That’s exactly what I’m trying to do, but it seems like nobody is willing to hire someone for those entry-level positions anymore.
Am I missing something? Has the industry changed where companies now expect you to already have your NCCCO before they’ll even let you start as a driver or oiler? Or is the crane industry just extremely difficult to break into these days?
I’d really appreciate hearing how some of you got your start because, honestly, this has been pretty discouraging.


r/cranes 6d ago

Milwaukee chain hoist is amazing

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60 Upvotes

r/cranes 6d ago

Seeing contractors buy massive 20-ton boom trucks only to lose all their legal cargo payload capacity.

0 Upvotes

Was checking out some new rigs at a site yesterday and it’s crazy how many fleet managers still fall into the deadweight trap. Everyone is jumping on the 15-30 ton capacity trend, but they mount these massive carbon-steel cranes on their trucks and completely eat up their GVWR.

What’s the point of having a powerful lifting machine if you can't legally transport the materials you just lifted without getting hammered by DOT scales?

Worse, if the riggers don't calculate the crane's exact center of gravity against the specific chassis wheelbase, you shift massive weight forward. Next thing you know, you've overloaded the front steering axle, leading to rapid tire wear or a complete steering failure on the highway.

Full disclosure: I engineer heavy-duty rigs over at TERRA Crane. This exact nightmare is why we refuse to build with anything other than ultra-high-tensile steel (100 ksi class). Cutting the crane's tare weight is literally the only way to free up payload capacity for actual logistics and keep the rig road-legal.

Anyone else dealing with overweight rigs, DOT fines, or front axle issues after mounting a heavy crane?


r/cranes 7d ago

He is hired

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7 Upvotes

r/cranes 7d ago

XCMG Used Crane QY50K, low hours

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6 Upvotes

50-ton lifting capacity, high-performance


r/cranes 7d ago

Going from casual to sponsorship in australia

2 Upvotes

G'day mates,

Year and a half ago i relocated from France to WA and started the shuttie circuits in the pilbaras and goldfields. Worked with most of the major players, some of the more minor ones, and i'm lovin it ! Best decision of my life, so much so that i'm now looking to get sponsored and stay here for a longer period. Talked to the contacts I got from most of the major players, and i'm waiting for their feedback (but apparently most of them don’t usually sponsor people).

Anyone knows of companies i should try and hit it up with ?

Cheers !


r/cranes 7d ago

Rigging jobs

0 Upvotes

I am currently working on trying to get a rigging job to become a tower Crane operator I’m aware that it’s a long process so I was wondering where I can get some rigging experience in the Illinois area more specifically near Chicago because the union isn’t really taking anyone at the moment if there is any non union or union jobs looking for a rigger or an oiler let me know because down the line I do want to operate a crane one day


r/cranes 8d ago

I'm making a crane sim w/ puzzle-like challenges

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24 Upvotes

Not trying to spam up the sub or anything. I posted an earlier version of this months ago on my main and got positive reception. Let me know what y'all think. You can tinker around with the alpha version for free at https://pickplayground.com


r/cranes 7d ago

Where to find Franna prices

3 Upvotes

Hi all, I’m asking if anyone knows where to find the prices on second hand Frannas being sold around Queensland or WA.

I’ve looked at some auction sites but they never tell me what they actually sell for, any help trying to find what Frannas from 20 to 30T sell for would be appreciated, thank you


r/cranes 7d ago

Testing help

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1 Upvotes

Anyone have opinions/experience on the exam prep website CCO Examprep?

Was going to get it as a present for my dude.. but if it is useless.. would rather help buy some work boots.


r/cranes 8d ago

Looking for boom truck service in houston

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0 Upvotes

I need to put this 2 containers to trailers,can anybody help me with that,we are located in Missouri city,tx 77071

Phone: 224-474-5601