The article discusses how GPS, automation, and assistive technology in machines improve safety and productivity. Features like GPS tracking, automation in task control, and assistive tools for operators enhance efficiency and ensure safer work environments. Technology supports operators' growth and training, leading to higher profits and lower costs in the long run.

How acute is the need for new workers in the utility industry? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (USBLS), the raw numbers aren’t high but the percentage of expected growth is staggering.

Austrian crane and aerial lift manufacturer Palfinger is scheduled to launch a new P6 Radio Remote Controller for its TEC (‘Technology’) loader cranes from January 2025.

Created in collaboration with Scanreco the controller is said to complement the Palcom P7 controller and complete the TEC range consisting of 11 models between 23.5 and 124.8 tonnes.

Winter can be a challenging season for trees, especially pines and other conifers. Understanding how these trees respond to the cold and what they need in winter helps to keep them surviving and thriving. In this blog, we’ll touch on some fascinating facts about pine trees and conifers, along with tips on tree health care to prep them for winter.

While working at a plaza in the Netherlands, a crane operator noticed a beehive-like structure reemerging from the dirt. It turned out to be a 500-year-old sewage pit with several rare wooden items inside.

Foselev Ardennes lifts 2.3-tonne load at a 90-metre radius to a height of 30 metres at an automotive manufacturing plant in France. “Lifting a 2.3-tonne load at a 90-meter radius to a height of 30 meters calls for a very high-performance crane,” says Christophe Blanchard.

As demand for horizontal directional drilling (HDD) continues to grow in the U.S. and globally, HDD equipment manufacturers have continued to expand their product lines. In many cases, it’s about breaking through barriers to new levels of power and performance. At the same time, advancements in technology have become a given as manufacturers seek to help their customers improve productivity, uptime, and serviceability.

MassDOT secures funding for drone project aiding infrastructure projects; Amherst explores new downtown design standards with consultants to enhance city's aesthetic and functionality.

Knowing bucket capacity and how to read a jib load chart are two critical elements of aerial device operation. While both tasks are straightforward, staying within the allowable capacity of the unit is very important. The platform capacity and material handling capacity provided by the manufacturer are not recommendations – they are absolute maximum capacities that ensure the machine is not overloaded. Overloading equipment can result in overturning or boom failure. Equipment damage may occur, resulting in costly repairs and a shortened, useable life for the aerial device. 

Biden administration Labor Dept. changes rule for vests, hardhats, gloves as one of its last acts. The U.S. Dept. of Labor announced Dec. 11 that its Occupational Safety and Health Administration has finalized a revision to the personal protective equipment standard for construction. The final rule explicitly requires the equipment to properly fit any construction worker who needs it as protection against hazardous conditions.

Winter can affect many areas of the country, leaving snow and ice on the ground and creating slippery conditions. Cold, ice, or snow cover does not stop utility crews from performing line work. The damage from ice and snowstorms increases the workload and urgency to finish repairs. It also brings in new crews, who work long hours, to help restore power and repair damage from broken poles, downed wires, and fallen trees. The following outlines what utility companies and their line crews must remember when it comes to operating in ice and snow.

Britlift is helping to solve a lifting challenge for the world’s largest direct air capture facility of its kind.

Climeworks is a global leader in carbon removal via direct air capture and storage (DAC+S). Its technology draws CO₂ from the air and captures it for storage underground. The Swiss company recently opened its second facility, Mammoth, based in Iceland. It installed a 35t capacity overhead crane inside Mammoth in order to move its proprietary filtration systems called collector containers. However, it needed a bespoke lifting frame to ensure that the valuable loads were lifted safely and precisely.

A highly destructive tree disease has been successfully identified by detection dogs in the UK as part of a “groundbreaking” project.

Six-year-old cocker spaniel x labrador, Ivor, detected Phytophthora ramorum, having been trained by Canine Assisted Pest Eradication in collaboration with Forest Research.

The deadly tree pathogen can be fatal to more than 150 species including larch, an important species for timber.

A variety of detection training techniques, including initial scent recognition, were used to train Ivor to distinguish Phytophthora ramorum from other Phytophthora species found in the same environments.

One of the most critical components to influence the productivity and the safety of the utility crew on an aerial device is the boom. The boom’s ability to elevate, rotate and position operators into place is the single biggest factor in getting operators from the ground to an aerial worksite. To help keep the boom working efficiently, inspections should be completed on a regular basis – especially daily. The following outlines tips to remember while inspecting a bucket truck boom prior to use.

Luxuary Bahamas-based hotel Goldwynn Resort & Residences has taken delivery of a Stafford STF 7022 TL tower crane from Stafford Tower Cranes. 

Due to the crane’s location right on the coast Stafford said it had to take into consideration high wind factors. Despite this the crane offers a maximum reach of 230 feet and is capable of lifting up to 5,340 lbs at the tip. Safety and reliability are top of our agenda, says Stafford Tower Cranes. 

A Link-Belt Cranes 100-ton HTC-86100 truck crane played a key role in placing this year’s National Christmas Tree in Washington, D.C., an event organized by the National Park Service.

The National Christmas Tree, a cherished American tradition for over a century, symbolizes unity and hope during the holiday season. According to the National Park Service, this year’s treee is a 35-foot Red Spruce from the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests in Virginia. 

There are more than 660,000 street trees in New York City, and many of them are dangerously dehydrated.

Local arborists said street trees — which are peed on by dogs, mostly ignored by humans and occasionally surrounded by litter — are suffering during the ongoing historic drought. While trees in city parks receive more attention from caretakers, the pin oaks, blackgums, silver lindens and other trees along sidewalks are rarely tended to, said Nina Browne, community field manager at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

Storms can wreak havoc on trees, leading to broken limbs, uprooting, and other issues. If trees have fallen and are causing damage, we are ready to assist with emergency tree services!  But it’s best to be proactive and with proper anchoring techniques, you can help ensure a tree’s stability to reduce storm and hurricane tree damage. This guide covers why anchoring trees is important, methods to anchor them, and steps to follow for best results!

In the construction industry, cranes are indispensable for lifting and moving heavy loads. But while the base crane itself is crucial, the real potential lies in the mastery of crane accessories. Understanding which tools to use and when can dramatically improve the functionality and productivity of your lifting operations. Let’s explore some of the latest innovations in crane accessories that every contractor should know to elevate their lifting solutions.

With increased demand from infrastructure projects and a global shift towards renewable energy, the global crawler crane market continues to grow. This crane type’s high load capacities and long booms are proving useful for wind farm construction. Niamh Marriott reports.

Manufacturers that include HSC, Kobelco, Liebherr, Manitowoc, Sany, Tadano, XCMG and Zoomlion are leading the industry, offering cranes with high lifting capacities and versatile boom configurations. Their cranes are not only crucial for traditional construction and industrial applications but are also widely used in the wind energy sector as the world moves towards sustainable renewable energy.