Hello Mark. Thanks for getting in touch. Great question. I can only advise you on the tower crane aspect, because that's what I know. Although, I imagine it's much the same with other categories, like mobiles and crawlers. There are a couple of options. You could get your red card, then apply to agencies as a priority over crane hire companies. There are agencies out there who take on red cards. Another option is to apply for in-house training or apprenticeships. That way, once you've passed, you're guaranteed work within the company, providing you see the probation period through, if there is one. Select and HTC are the 2 main companies that do this. They used to be apprenticeships but is different now. For example, HTC pay for the course and you pay them back a certain amount each week out your wages. So, the site contractors who tend not to allow red cards on site, do allow operators from these companies because they're reputable, and because of the programme they provide, in terms of quality training, mentoring, shadowing, etc. You could also do the slinger work for a while, for a company that have their own cranes, then apply to operate their cranes once you have the ticket. At least then, you're in the door and have inside knowledge of the landscape. I think all crane operators should have some prior experience as slingers anyway, and vice versa. And at the end of the day, buildings will always be going up, so I don't think people will ever be out of work too long. Sometimes in life, you just have to take this risk and make the leap. If you get your ticket but struggle to find work for a little while, at least you have something to fall back on. Plus, you also have a crane ticket under your belt. It gives more options. I hope that helps. Please do let me know how you get on.

@CCcranelife Are all crane layouts the same ? There's nothing worse than jumping onto a bit of kit and not knowing how to operate it, lol. And is it possible to get work abroad? To be honest, that's the main reason I want to do it, I want to escape this hell hole in the next couple of years and thought this could be the way out. I did consider mobile cranes, but I'm worried about working over 60hrs a week , travelling to work, travelling to site, travelling back, travelling home and so on

@@Mark.Claughton The controls for the motions are pretty much all the same. Although some controls have progressive movement for the speed, whereas others have the gears that click. Although the motions are the same, most cranes feel different. They operate different. There are differing speeds, the deflection varies, the screen layouts might be different, etc. Mostly it will depend on the manufacturer and what configuration they're in. Yeah, it's possible to work abroad. I don't know how much work there is out there, though. You can check on crane forums for that. You'll also easily do over 60 hours on the towers as well as all the travelling. That's one downfall of the job, unfortunately. But yeah, at least if you're not staying away, you haven't got the extra travel of going back home.

@CCcranelife if u have to do 60 hours plus a week , I'm guessing it's the same for slingers. That would be hard graft in the pissing down rain all day, slinging up loads.

@@Mark.Claughton Yep 😆 I often wind em up. Especially in the winter. I tell em I've had to turn the heating down coz I'm too warm.

😂😂 Guilty as charged.

Nah mate. I'm at one with the honey bees. I'd definitely get one for wasps though.

Wow!! You were very very lucky there. How the hell did that not squash your foot? It must have been in a gap or void in the track or something. It's so easily done though. I remember changing the tracks on a little 1.7ton Kabota when I was a groundworker. Even that made me cautious, so I can't imagine working on a big machine like that.

Wow, it hasn't been donated to a museum yet? 😆 Just kidding, mate. Some of these old machines are the best to operate. You know some of the cabs these days have aircon, heated seats, indicators to show what speed you're in, and loads more.

I think it's important in life in general. But definitely so in our industry. I really appreciate your words. It means a lot.

😂 Yep

20% pal. This article should help if you're unsure. constructioncogs.com/mode-factor-calculations-for-slings/

Thanks, mate.

kzfaq.info/get/bejne/hdN7ha-JyLmue2w.htmlsi=yyEY0C7DVmy63_Ki

I'm proud of you, mate 😅

@@CCcranelife thanks to you😀👍🏻

No problem, dude. Drop me an email or something if you have any questions.

Thanks

Thanks

I appreciate it

Thanks 🤗

Thank you, brother 👍🏾

Pleasure 👍🏾

Thanks 🔥

Thanks, it means a lot.

I'm glad you like it. Thanks for subscribing. Be sure to check out the other videos. 👍🏾

You're welcome. Happy to help.

Glad it was helpful!

The best thing to do would be to check your lift plan. All the specs should be in there. If it's unclear, your AP should be able to assist you.

@@CCcranelife Sorry, I am an AP too, I have not seen a single video except for one person that gives an exact calculation for chaining a bottom lifting container under a height restriction. I am working on a formula at the moment. ALLMI has not got a bottom lifting app calculator either.

​@@truckeralvarez5932 I'll see what I can do for you.

@@CCcranelife Roger!!

@@truckeralvarez5932 So, I have some information that may or may not be useful to you. Can I have your email address so that I can send you something? If you don't want to publish it here publicly, you can email me at [email protected] or WhatsApp me at 07984687570. Basically, there are lifting beams designed specifically for cargo containers. You can shorten the chains for low head room. I have a picture.

Thanks for the input. Can you tell me which part of the website this came from so I can check it out. It seems to me this point was made on the website with slight humour. Not many of us are tall any for this, but I know one person who could do it. You're right though, they're pretty hot on things over at HS2, especially since having a couple of incidents. Regulations change and vary all the time from site to site. I've only ever known people to lift containers from the top. That's why they have the lifting points there. Plus, it's not difficult to get a working from height permit.

You prefer lifting from the bottom because it is easier. But what pressure are the chains putting on the top edge of your container? Can you guarantee the integrity of those edges?

Thanks, pal, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Watch out for the next episode at the end of the month. 👍🏾

Glad it was helpful!

Thanks for your input, mate. I can only give the information of what the people say who give me the images. These things happen on their sites. I would've though a 60te+ 360 could do this kind of damage. I've seen what they can do. I've seen what they can do. Although, it does seem as though it would squash rather than open up. Deliberate? That's an interesting theory. How do you suggest someone would go about doing this on purpose? And why would they?

😂 It's the only way.

@@CCcranelife "down in one" mode activated!

😂 As long as they paint them red, so I can see them coming.

I certainly can. It may be a little while, though. I have a backlog of around 30 videos to edit and post.

Cheers, dude. There'll be plenty more. Share the love.

Thanks, mate, I can certainly add you to the list. You'd be a handy addition. Do me a favour. Drop me an email with your details, please, so I know how to contact you.