How to plan for your crane hire

Working with our clients, we take these basic considerations into account and then move on to a more detailed plan for the lift, including a site survey and risk identification.

Site Inspection and Information
To help plan the lift, our clients must complete a full site survey. At Lindores Mobile Cranes we offer a free site inspection to all of our customers so that our experience can assist in making your crane hire as safe as possible. Many variables can be uncovered in a simple site survey that can dictate the requirements of the project or make changes to the type of crane that is needed. The site survey will include necessary details such as the address and design of the site, how the site is accessed and the dimensions of the access points if they are constricted. If you are using multiple sites, a risk assessment for each specific site will be carried out.

Other considerations in a site survey are where you plan to situate the crane on the site for the lift (often a diagram or site plan works best for this), the materials that will be used in the project, if any other activities will be concurrently happening on the work or project site and the planned material handling zone. The terrain also needs to be inspected and reported on to ensure that the environment is suitable for the type of crane proposed.

Hazard Identification and Assessment
This point is worth revisiting as it is an essential part of lift planning. Many smaller project crane hirers do not take enough time and effort to consider the risks that may occur and therefore do not undertake any steps to mitigate them. Some of the most frequently encountered hazards on the worksite that relate to crane usage are;
  • Overloading the crane
  • Overhead electrical power lines
  • Other overhead hazards such as trees or buildings
  • Uneven terrain and improper crane setup up to accommodate this
  • Changing or extreme weather
  • Incorrect configuration or placement of the crane from the lift object
  • Breakages and falling materials
Many of these things can be eliminated with proper planning, and all others can be minimised with due care and consideration taken at the planning stage.

Planning your lift is an essential part of any mobile crane hire. It is necessary not to be complacent when it comes to safety and the more planning that you can do for both your lift and your project, the safer the project will be. Proper planning also helps to eliminate time redundancies and makes sure that you have the crane for the elements of the project that you need it for, saving both time and money. The team at Lindores Mobile Cranes are experts in planning lifts and assisting project managers in getting the most from their crane hire. 

The Liftout

By JADE LINDORES August 1, 2025
When people think of crane hire, they often picture towering construction sites or major infrastructure projects. But across Southeast Queensland, an increasing number of residential builders are considering mobile cranes as an essential tool onsite. At Lindores Mobile Cranes , we’ve seen first-hand how reliable crane hire can simplify and speed up residential builds. Smarter Lifting for Modern Home Builds As homes get larger, blocks get smaller, and architectural designs become more complex, the need for precision lifting has never been greater. Roofing materials, structural steel, and even prefabricated walls often need to be placed quickly and safely in hard-to-reach locations. Our mobile cranes, including Mini Crawlers and Frannas , make light work of these tasks. This saves builders time, reduces manual handling, and improves site safety. With our experienced operators on board, there’s no guesswork, no delays, and no unnecessary risk. Explore our mobile crane fleet Tight Access? No Problem. Many of Brisbane’s older suburbs, like Paddington, Spring Hill, and Petrie Terrace, come with tight driveways, steep slopes, and minimal space for materials. That’s where compact mobile cranes and mini crawlers shine. They’re designed to work in confined spaces without compromising lifting capacity or site safety. We regularly help builders lift roofing, frames, pools, and more into hard-to-access sites, without the need for expensive site modifications or lengthy manual labour. Supporting the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast Residential Market It’s not just Brisbane where we’re seeing demand. Across the Sunshine Coast, with its steep hinterland blocks, and the Gold Coast, where many homes are built close to canals or high-density zones, mobile crane hire is becoming a key part of building smarter, safer homes. Crane Hire That Fits the Residential Build Schedule We know how critical timing is for builders. Delays in lifting can hold up entire stages of the project. That’s why we offer flexible booking options, fast response times, and a commitment to showing up when we say we will. It’s part of the reason why so many residential builders across Southeast Queensland trust Lindores Mobile Cranes for their lifting needs. Ready to Lift Smarter on Your Next Build? No matter the project, our team has the equipment and expertise to help. Contact our team today by calling us on 07 3376 0611 or email lmcops@lmcranes.com.au.
By JADE LINDORES June 24, 2025
Urban construction across Brisbane’s inner suburbs, like Brisbane City, Fortitude Valley and West End, presents a unique challenge. Limited street access, tight driveways, weight-restricted concrete slabs, and close proximity to neighbouring buildings mean that traditional mobile cranes simply won’t fit. At Lindores Mobile Cranes , we’ve seen how mini crawler cranes are transforming the way construction is carried out on these sites. Compact, precise, and highly mobile, these machines are fast becoming essential for projects across Queensland . Rethinking Lifting for Urban Environments In city and suburban projects, space is at a premium. Construction teams often deal with narrow laneways, busy streets, or strict local council rules that make large-scale crane operations unfeasible. In some cases, access is so restricted that conventional lifting equipment can’t get anywhere near the job site. That’s where mini crawler cranes come in. Built specifically for tight and complex environments, these machines allow builders to lift heavy materials safely and efficiently, without the need for wide access or extensive setup areas. See our full fleet of mobile and mini cranes. Compact Size, Serious Capability Despite their size, mini crawler cranes don’t compromise on performance. Designed to operate in confined spaces, they’re able to move through narrow driveways and even fit inside buildings if required. Their rubber tracks reduce surface pressure, making them safe for use on rooftops or polished concrete slabs, and their zero tail-swing allows for safe manoeuvring in environments with little margin for error. These features make them ideal for everything from steel erection and glass installation to HVAC placement and residential renovations. We’ve supported projects as varied as boutique homes in New Farm and shopfront fit outs in Surfers Paradise , proving how versatile these compact machines really are. Designed for the Modern Job Site Mini crawler cranes are an increasingly popular choice for residential builds, renovations, and even commercial fit outs across Queensland. Their small footprint and fast setup time mean less downtime, lower costs, and fewer headaches when working in restricted-access environments. Ready to Lift Smarter in Tight Spaces? At Lindores Mobile Cranes , we’ve helped countless clients across Brisbane , the Gold Coast , and South East Queensland navigate complex job sites with ease. Our team can advise you on the right crane for your lift, organise pre-lift planning, and provide experienced operators who understand the ins and outs of working in urban environments. Contact our team today by calling 07 3376 0611 or email lmcorps@lmcranes.com.au.
By JADE LINDORES April 29, 2025
Need a mobile crane for tight access jobs in Brisbane, Sunshine Coast or the Gold Coast? Hire compact, powerful mini crawler cranes from Lindores Mobile Cranes. Fast, safe, and affordable.