Industries
Modular building crane services
The right crane for the lift, with NCCCO-certified operators and riggers for modular buildings. Based in West Texas, working statewide.
Crane service for modular buildings
Modular buildings arrive in pieces and go together with a crane. We set the modules from the truck onto the foundation.
Lifts we take on include:
- Setting modules from the truck
- Stacking multi-story modules
- Setting prefab and panelized components
- Placing portable and temporary buildings
Modular unit setting and stacking crane lifts
A modular set day is built around the set sequence. Modules are loaded in the order they will be placed, ship on trailers, and usually wait at a staging area near the site. Trucks are called in one at a time, so the next module is pulling up as the last one lands. Getting the order wrong means shuffling trailers on a tight site, and that eats crane time quickly.
Each module is picked from its lifting points with a spreader bar or lifting frame, so the slings hang straight and do not crush the walls or roof. The builder's set crew guides it with tag lines onto the foundation, the crawlspace walls or the module below, lines it up at the mate line and fastens it before the next pick. Multi-story projects stack floor by floor.
- Confirm the set sequence, module weights and trailer staging area.
- Set up where the crane can reach every module position.
- Call trucks in one at a time, in set order.
- Rig each module to a spreader bar and fly it in.
- Set crew lands, aligns and fastens it before the next pick.
- Demob once the last module and any loose components are set.
Crane and operator for modular buildings
Every job goes out with the right crane for the lift, an NCCCO-certified operator and a rigger.
Set days have a lot of moving parts, so pull these details together before you call dispatch.
- Module weights, dimensions and lifting point locations
- Set sequence and the number of modules
- Foundation finished and checked for level
- Staging area for loaded trailers
- Truck route and turning room on site
- Set crew and their arrival time
Rigging plans and safety plans for modular buildings
On modular jobs, reach is often the hard part. The heaviest box at the longest reach decides the crane setup. Soft ground for trailers, overhead lines along the access road and wind on large, flat module walls all go into the plan. We write rigging plans for the picks and crane position, and safety plans for the set crew and truck traffic.
Modules are finished product. Many arrive with drywall, cabinets and windows already installed, so a hard landing or a swinging corner can mean real damage. The rigging plan follows the manufacturer's lifting points and spreader setup. Weather plays in too: open sides are usually wrapped for shipping, and rain or high wind on set day can push the schedule.
Book a crane
Call dispatch or send a lift request. Tell us the load, the location and the date.
FAQ
Questions about modular building crane services
Why does the order of modules matter on set day?
Each module has a set place, and some can only go in after their neighbor is down. Modules are loaded and staged in set order so each truck pulls up with the next box. If a trailer arrives out of order, it has to be parked and worked around, which slows the whole day.
Can you place portable buildings and temporary offices?
Yes. Portable offices, classrooms and other temporary buildings are often set by crane when a forklift or a truck cannot reach the spot. Tell us the building size and weight, whether it has lifting points, and where it needs to go, and we will plan the pick.
How are multi-story modular buildings stacked?
Floor by floor. The ground-level modules are set and connected first, then the next floor goes on top, landing on the bearing points of the boxes below. The crane has to reach the top floor at the farthest corner, so building height and footprint both matter when planning which crane comes out.
More from Concho Crane Co.
