Assessing the tools of the trade

by carly_mchugh | 4 May 2023 4:51 pm

By John Labonte

Choosing the right equipment is essential to ensure a safe and successful sign installation. Every project has a different set of variables which affect this decision, including size, weight, composition, fragility, and location.

Regardless of the type of sign a company is installing, it is important to do a site visit to pre-assess the needs of the project. This is a crucial step for most installations, to determine which pieces of equipment will help get a job done safely and efficiently.

Reach and accessibility are both good ways to gauge which types of equipment to use, but it is also important to make sure what is selected can fully support the sign, so it does not become damaged in the process.

Signs can be installed using bucket trucks, cranes, or a combination of both, depending on the complexity of the project.

Bucket trucks

Bucket trucks are the most basic pieces of equipment for companies to have in their fleet. They are commonly used for service work, site checks, and installation of small- to medium-sized signs.

An important aspect of the bucket truck is the reach it is able to provide. Available in a variety of heights, from 9.1 to 24.3 m (30 to 80 ft), it allows technicians to get a more elevated view of the project, as well as get closer to the area to do the installation. Bucket trucks are also smaller, more nimble, and easier to manoeuvre in tight corners, in busy parking lots, or on roadways. They also take up a lot less space and setup time on-site compared to larger trucks and cranes.

Cranes

Cranes have come a long way from being a piece of equipment solely meant for lifting. Now, they can essentially double as bucket trucks, increasing their versatility and value on the jobsite.

Today’s cranes are most commonly available with a two-person basket, as well as a built-in jib/material handler and adjustable forks for sign face removal and installation. This allows for the option to have one or two technicians working within a space, and sometimes eliminates the need for more than one truck on-site. Of course, depending on the scope of the project, the truck can also simply be used as a crane. The two main focal points for these types of equipment are reach and lifting capacity, and they can range in height up to 25.9 m (85 ft).

Working in tandem

Sometimes, for heavier or more fragile signs, or more complex installations, it is best to use both a bucket truck and a crane. In these situations, the crane is used to lift the sign into place, then the bucket truck is used to carry out the installation.

From the bucket truck, one technician mounts the hardware to the surface, and ensures the wiring is properly connected. Once the sign is secured, the crane can be unhooked, and another technician can get into its basket to help with the final steps of the installation, such as putting caps and other finishing touches on the sign.

Splitting the work in half between the two pieces of equipment eliminates the need for the bucket truck to go back and forth on the site and helps get the job done quicker and more efficiently.

Selecting the right equipment

When selecting the right type and size of equipment, it is important for installers to know their market and consider the types of projects they usually work on. This will help determine what will best accommodate their average workload.

If they select a truck that is too large, there will be a lot of unnecessary wear and tear on the unit, as it would only be used at its maximum capacity a few times per year. Not to mention, the crew would be transporting an extra-large unit to jobsites up to five days a week.

The best approach is to choose a more nimble, more versatile unit that is cheaper to operate with less wear and tear. In the event the installation requires an extra 6 m (20 ft) of reach, the company can rent a piece of equipment that suits their needs or hire someone with a larger crane to assist with the job. In the long run, it is more cost-effective to rent out a larger, second-party crane on an as-needed basis than to buy an oversized unit outright.

Ultimately, the decision of which equipment to use depends on the characteristics and location of the sign. For example, a boom has the capability to extend over top of grassed areas. Not only will a larger truck maximize on reach, but it will also avoid causing damage from driving over the grass and landscaping.

Improving installation site safety

The use of mobile cranes and bucket trucks have added safety and professionalism to the sign industry, compared to the days of using ladders, block and tackle pulley systems, scaffolding, and other manual pieces of equipment. Not only were these makeshift lifting methods hard on the body, but they also had the potential to cause a lot more accidents on the job.

Now, with bucket trucks and cranes more readily available to technicians, they can safely lift and install heavy sign components, without having to worry about strain or injury.

Conclusion

Safety and efficiency should always be top priority for sign installations. Using the right equipment, such as bucket trucks and cranes, contributes to both of these important factors. Further, considering the size, weight, composition, fragility, and location of the signs they are installing will help companies decide which types of equipment are best for them to use for projects, as well as ensure their jobs are done successfully, every time.  

John Labonte first entered the sign industry at just 13 years old, when he began working for his father at Denis Labonte Signs. He started his career in sales (quoting), fabricating, and installation, working alongside his father six days a week, until Denis decided to retire and sell the business in 2004. After exploring other avenues, Labonte realized signs were his true passion, and opened John Labonte Signs Services Inc. in 2007.

Source URL: https://www.signmedia.ca/assessing-the-tools-of-the-trade/

---