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That jobsite in Charlotte last week had me second-guessing the whole 'always level the crane before the pick' rule

I was on a tight lot next to a 40-year-old building and just couldn't get fully level without risking the outriggers sinking into old fill. Had to do a slightly unlevel pick at about 60% capacity and honestly, it went smoother than half my so-called perfect setups. Anyone else ever break that rule and come out fine?
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3 Comments
elizabetha92
I read a crane safety report that said 15% of tip-overs happen on what seemed like stable ground.
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parker_jones50
Man @dianagreen acts like luck isn't a valid strategy sometimes.
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dianagreen
dianagreen16d ago
Thirty years running a landscaping company, and I've seen crane operators do plenty of things they shouldn't. The issue isn't that it worked once, it's that the ground can shift, the load can sway, or that old fill can give out mid-pick. At 60% capacity you were probably okay, but that 40% safety margin is there for a reason. One bad spot in that fill, one gust of wind, and you're looking at a different story. I've seen too many guys get lucky and think it's skill, then get bit hard on the next one.
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