Engineering

Lift Planning & Engineering

Plan the Work & Work the Plan – Southway Crane & Rigging employs an in-house team of professional engineers that study each project, size the correct crane for the project regarding safety and efficiency, then produce detailed and accurate critical lift plans, below the hook rigging diagrams, and other project specific drawings.
Engineering CAD Lift Plans

Plan the Work – Work the Plan

Our engineering team utilizes the professional standards in software such as AutoCAD, Revit, Lift Planner, Work Planner, and 3D Liftplan for planning and drafting purposes. Also, our engineered lift plan packages include all supporting documentation such as Rigging Certs, Rigging Cut Sheets, Crane Charts, Outrigger Cut Sheets, Equipment Annual Inspections, and Personnel Certs.

Precision & Accuracy

These plans are built with precision and accuracy with a mission to ensure the customer and our field personnel that we have planned for the safest and most efficient options available. We also offer the option for P.E. review and stamp of approval upon request.

Planning Process

  • + Project Overview with Customers & Contractors
  • + Detailed Rigging Diagrams & Critical Lift Plans
  • + P.E. Review & Stamp Available Upon Request
  • + Site Walks & Measurement Verifications
  • + Maximum Allowable Wind Speed Study
  • + Ground Bearing Pressure Study

Frequently Asked Questions

A critical lift plan is required when a lift exceeds 75 percent of the crane’s rated capacity, involves multiple cranes, requires hoisting personnel, places loads outside the operator’s view, or uses non-routine rigging configurations. Southway Crane & Rigging provides comprehensive critical lift planning with professional engineer review and stamp available upon request.

Standard lift plans should be submitted at least 48 hours prior to crane mobilization, while critical lift plans require five business days advance notice. This timeline allows for thorough review, professional engineer evaluation when needed, and coordination with all stakeholders before crews arrive on site.

Ground bearing pressure analysis calculates the force exerted by crane outriggers or tracks onto the supporting surface to ensure the soil can safely support the equipment and load without failure. We evaluate soil bearing capacity, determine required crane mat sizes, and verify that ground conditions can withstand concentrated loads that can exceed 10,000 pounds per square foot for larger cranes.

Maximum allowable wind speed is determined by crane manufacturer specifications, load characteristics, boom configuration, and site conditions evaluated by a competent person. Southway Crane & Riggin provides site-specific wind speed studies that consider equipment limits, load surface area, and real-time weather monitoring requirements to establish safe operational parameters.

You need to provide accurate load weight with supporting documentation, load dimensions and center of gravity, pick and set locations, site conditions including soil type and utilities, required lift radius and height, and rigging attachment points. Information about overhead hazards, access routes, and project schedule also helps us develop comprehensive plans tailored to your operation.

Standard lift plans typically require two to three business days once all project information is received, while critical lift plans may take five to seven business days depending on complexity. Providing complete information upfront helps expedite the process while ensuring thorough safety analysis and coordination.

Site walk verification includes physical inspection of crane setup locations, measurement verification of clearances and obstructions, validation of access routes, identification of overhead hazards and underground utilities, and confirmation of adequate space for operations. We document actual site conditions and identify any discrepancies from design documents before mobilization.

Standard lifts operate below 75 percent of crane capacity, use routine rigging, and maintain loads within the operator’s view. Critical lifts exceed 75 percent capacity, require multiple cranes, involve complex rigging, or present significant consequences if issues occur, requiring detailed written procedures, additional safety precautions, and often professional engineer review.