Any information on using a crane to hoist piggy back trusses, 50×50 building?
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What type of info? Crane? methods? strap material?
sorry sami.....have to get a crane to lift trusses for a church I'm in on....first time having to use a crane...I am sure the crane co. has all the answers, just would like a heads up on what to expect. Major question is how much of the roof can I build on the ground? It is an 8/12 pitch, Hip roof, no gable trusses at all. Build the ends first, plywood then hoist?
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Issue number 140, June/July 2001.
"Framing with a crane"
Thanks Mad Dog.....just wondering about the piggy back trusses, and how much to assemble, if any, on the ground..
If you've never set trusses before, I'd suggest going to the truss supplier and asking for a copy of HIB-91. It's a pamphlet that outlines how to erect and brace truses.
HIB-91 recommends using a spreader bar to pick up trusses of this size. But in my experience, most people don't do it.
If you have a choice, use a crane from the truss company. Their drivers don't do anything but set trusses all the time. Other operators might be skilled, but wouldn't necessarilly have the same experience level.
Make dang sure the trusses are well braced. About half the building collapses I've been involved in were the result of improper bracing when setting roof trusses on churches. Many of them were volunteer crews. *ALL* of them thought they knew what they were doing.
The Wood Truss Council of America has a FAQ here:
http://www.woodtruss.com/faqhandling.htm
I don't know of any others, but will post back if I find more info about handling and bracing.
Truss Designer Extraordinaire
Hey thanks for the info,
Set many trusses over the past 6 years, all our houses (95%) are trussed, but first time we had to deal with a "Commercial" building as our work is single family homes, the odd town house complex - thus small roof lines....comparitively speaking. This project is a Church Auditorium. The crew is looking forward to it. It is outside Toronto, and the size of the trusses demand a crane. I will look up the references you mention, but we have figured out that a Crane service with lots of truss experience will help us alot, so the manufacturer makes sense....thanks.
Call Cooper crane out your way. Measure the lenght of the building and the distance you can place a crane from it. The height of the building plus the height of the highest truss. They will figure the rest and recommend the right machine. Could be all you need is a boom truck and that would save you a lot of money.
Sometimes if there's another commercial project nearby, you can cut a deal to share a crane for a part day.
Gabe
Gotta agree w/ mad dog. Building the roof on the ground is a pretty easy proposition assuming that your building is dead on square and level. 50 X 50 isn't that big unless you have the slightest breeze. Not trying to scare you away from setting a roof on, just some thoughts to consider. As you have done lots of truss work, you understand the need for proper bracing and safety, I am sure. Let us know how it goes.
Miami
thanks again for answering guys, not afraid of it at all, thanks for the tips...just needed some vet opinions and advice...we'll log on this site for the next week or so looking for advice...I will call Cooper Crane and see whats up...no pun intended.
oh ya and I will let you know how it goes
Her are couple more links you might find helpful:
http://www.eckmanbc.com/tech.htm
This is the actual HIB-91 sheet:
http://www.eckmanbc.com/trusstech/tpi1.htm
Truss Designer Extraordinaire