Watching a tower crane assembly in Denver made me think about wind differently

I was downtown yesterday and saw them putting up a new Liebherr 710 HC-L for a high rise, and the crew had these little wind socks on every major section. The foreman said they won't even lift a jib piece if the gusts hit 25 mph, which seems crazy low to me. How do you guys decide when wind is too much for a pick?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_christopher1mo ago

Used to think that too until I saw a load swing.

leehall1mo ago

Oh man, that's exactly why it's so dangerous. A load swinging can take out a whole floor before you even know what's happening.

reese_hayes711mo ago

Ever seen one of those videos where a crane just... tips over? Honestly makes my stomach drop every time.