What wind monitoring does a crane or lift site need?
Start with the crane manufacturer's wind limits, then choose how you will measure and alert: a handheld anemometer for occasional checks, a fixed anemometer with an alarm for cranes, or a networked site station for several machines. Match the choice to how many cranes you run and who must be alerted.
Start with three questions
- What are the manufacturer’s limits for each crane? These come from the load chart and manual and drive every alarm setting.
- How many cranes and lifts are on site? One tower crane differs from a congested site with mobile cranes and hoists.
- Who needs the alert? Operator, signal person, competent person, site manager.
Typical configurations
| Situation | Usually enough | Upgrade path |
|---|---|---|
| Occasional mobile crane lifts | Handheld anemometer plus a checked forecast | Fixed unit on the boom or a portable mast |
| One tower crane | Fixed anemometer at the top with cab display and alarm | Add logging and remote alerts |
| Multiple cranes or long job | Station per crane or per zone feeding one dashboard | Integration with site alerting and daily reports |
| Exposed work (scaffolds, façade, glazing) | Site station with gust alerts | Per-zone sensors on tall structures |
What to compare
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Gust vs average speed | Gusts, not averages, drive load and stability. |
| Alarm outputs | Cab light or horn, radio, text. |
| Power and connectivity | Battery, solar or mains; cellular coverage on site. |
| Mounting | Needs to survive relocation and climbing. |
| Logging and export | Records for the daily report. |
Questions to ask providers
- Can I set separate thresholds for each crane?
- Does the device report gusts as well as average wind?
- What happens to alarms when connectivity drops?
- How does it mount and relocate when the crane is raised?
Sources
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