Almost every construction project requires a fleet to perform a range of tasks on and off-site. Depending on the size of your company and the type of projects you undertake, you could own your own vehicles or rather hire heavy machinery to save on outlay costs. Fleet management and maintenance can be reduced when using a transport and crane hire company.
Whether you’re starting up or only running small projects in Australia, opting for crane hire Melbourne transport companies have to offer could make financial and operational sense. But, what cranes should you consider hiring rather than purchasing and what other solutions can you expect from using a transport hiring company? Keep reading to find out!
3 Crane Hiring Solutions for Australian Construction Companies
1. Accessibility to Different Types of Cranes
Buying heavy machinery for your fleet is expensive especially if you don’t need them all the time. Having the option to hire cranes that aren’t used regularly on your projects, saves on spending capital you need for other expenses. Working with a transport and crane hire company allows you to put your money where it’s needed most while still having access to different cranes when required.
The following types of cranes can be hired. Pick one based on the type of work being done:
- Franna cranes
- Mobile cranes
- Mini cranes
Mini cranes work well for compact spaces and not every construction fleet needs one on-site all the time. The same goes for mobile cranes designed to lift extra-heavy loads, especially when your projects deal mostly with lightweight items. Franna cranes are excellent for high performance and versatility but owning one or more isn’t always necessary.
Crane hire gives you access to heavy machinery that is right for the job without having to take out a bank loan. It also means spending less time and money on fleet management since the hiring company handles repairs and maintenance for you.
2. Hassle-Free Loading and Transportation
Crane trucks not only lift and load heavy materials but they transport them from one place to another, safely. Operating a vehicle loading crane comes with its fair share of stringent regulations and complying with these standards is a legal obligation for any construction fleet manager.
Hiring a crane truck simplifies this responsibility, if the hiring company handles most of these legal requirements themselves. Most transport and hire companies also use their own qualified operators to drive and load these vehicles, saving you the cost of having a driver on your payroll.
When working with a professional business offering crane truck hire Melbourne vendors can use, you can rest assured your project stays on track while complying with the industry’s safety standards. It’s a win-win situation when you don’t want to use your cashflow to finance a crane truck for your fleet.
3. Lifting Unusual Loads With a Forklift
Handling unusual loads and offloading them from trucks before storing them in a warehouse means having equipment such as forklifts. While this piece of equipment performs lifting jobs similar to a crane, it handles different types of loads. But, is a forklift something you need to invest in or will hiring one be sufficient?
Forklift hire is the perfect solution for the following reasons:
- Occasional lifting of loads
- Storage of materials in warehouses on site
- Can include a qualified operator
- Uses accessories that maximise unloading and loading functions
Owning a forklift will never go to waste but for smaller projects or a startup, using hiring facilities is an alternative worth exploring. A hire company will handle repairs and maintenance of this equipment and save you the hassle of finding an operator if you opt to include one in the lease agreement.
Other Crane Hiring Benefits You Need to Know About
Cranes, crane trucks and forklifts play vital roles when it comes to lifting, hauling and loading heavy materials on a construction site. Hiring this type of heavy machinery comes with a range of solutions of which we’ve already discussed some.
But, here are other benefits you should consider when looking at hiring this type of heavy machinery:
- They can be used for short-term and long-term projects
- Accessories can be added to tailor the equipment to your specific project requirements
- Access to backup equipment when one breaks down unexpectedly
- Professional advice and support when dealing with an experienced crane hire company
- Access to modern heavy machinery fitted with up-to-date technology
Final Thoughts
Managing and maintaining a construction fleet can cause you headaches if you’re not equipped to handle repairs and maintenance while complying with industry regulations. Also, owning your own heavy machinery is expensive and not always necessary. Using crane hiring solutions is one way of managing the challenges of the industry while still being cost-effective.
Before adding cranes, crane trucks and forklifts to your fleet, think about hiring them instead. It could be the solution you need right now!