With over 27 years of crane operation experience under his belt, and a contagious smile on his face, JR describes his early beginnings as a crane operator on a small boom truck. Since then, cranes have become much more sophisticated JR explains. The tower cranes can be erected in a day or two, but the technology is very complex. Each of the three tower cranes is assisted in operation by an onboard computer, which monitors a host of tasks necessary for its safe operation. If the wind speed approaches 30 MPH a warning sounds, if winds are sustained at 40 MPH for 10 seconds the crane will automatically shut down.
Tower cranes are measured by hook height the actual height of the crane can be much taller.
The 180 ft. crane is also on rails which allows it to move horizontally on the ground, and has a radius of 240 ft., and a capacity of 6,600 lbs. The crane weighs in a 440,000 lbs. Because the site has three cranes running at any give time, communication among operators and workers on the ground is key to their safe operation. Each of the operators are armed with a radios and keep in constant contact with the other operators and workers on the ground. Sanchez operates the tower crane that not only pivots but also moves on rails far below.