What minimum crane capacity multipliers are recommended for different crane types relative to the heaviest panel including rigging weight?

• A. Hydraulics 3x, Conventional 2x, Crawler 1x
• B. Hydraulics 6x, Conventional 5x, Crawler 4x
• C. Hydraulics 5x, Conventional 4x, Crawler 3-1/2x
• D. Hydraulics 4x, Conventional 3x, Crawler 2x

Answer: (C)

When sizing a crane for tilt-up lifts, you base the requirement on the weight of the heaviest panel plus rigging, and then apply a safety margin that accounts for dynamic lifting conditions, rigging angles, wind, and lift geometry. Hydraulics need the largest margin because their stability is more sensitive to these factors, so a 5x multiplier is used. Conventional truck-mounted cranes have a moderate margin, about 4x. Crawler cranes, with the most stable setup due to their wide footprint and outriggers, allow the smallest margin, about 3.5x.

So, the recommended minimum multipliers are: hydraulics 5x, conventional 4x, crawler 3.5x. For example, if the heaviest panel including rigging weighs W, you’d look for a crane with capacity at the lift of at least 5W for hydraulics, 4W for conventional, or 3.5W for a crawler.