Craning Shipping Containers

Using a crane to place containers can be tricky business, especially if space is tight!

Using Palfinger PK65002 knuckle crane to stack shipping containers.

Lifting shipping containers

There are two types of crane lifts available for craning shipping containers.

Craning empty containers
Craning full containers

The bad news is that if you need number two, you need a really heavy-duty crane or forklift like the ones you see in the shipyards to pull this off. We do not have that size of equipment, and it will cost you a small fortune to get it.

The good news is that if it is number one, we can probably help you out. Weight and distance really matter here, and accessibility is key to keeping your cost down. Make sure you know the size and weight of your container and how far you’d like it lifted from the crane.

Contact our crane specialists to see which crane might be right for your container lift.

Remote offloading of containers with cranes

Knuckle cranes are fantastic at offloading containers

Knuckle Crane lifting steel out of an open top container.

What sets Braymore apart from the rest is its remote-controlled radio knuckle cranes. As you can see, these cranes can get right there to pick items up with the least amount of movement and sway. The crane operator can be right there beside the freight, making sure it gets moved as safely as possible.

Prefab Container placement

One of the new big things out there is retrofitting containers into storage units, garages and homes. They are also getting used to building Tiny Homes and Laneway Homes. This requires a maneuverable crane for precession placement if they are being joined together. Knuckle and mini cranes are fantastic at doing this.

Using knuckle crane to assemble shipping containers into a laneway home. — Using a knuckle crane to place shipping containers in a backyard precisely.

Placing a shipping container that is being repurposed into a new storage area.

Helping place containers that are being repurposed into a new commercial storage area.

Prefab Container Modules

On this particular job site, a combination of knuckle and mini cranes was required to receive and assemble these commercial prefab classrooms. These job sites are usually very tight and require specific cranes to reduce the working footprint and ensure smooth operation.

Crane container onto flatbed truck — Transferring prefab container modules from 53′ trailer to flatbed truck.

Transporting container into indoor loading dock. — Using a mini crane to lift the containers off a flatbed truck and lift them over the wall.

Using Mini crane to stack and place prefab container modules. — Mini crane stacking upper units.

Lifting a prefab container module off a straight truck. — Place the container module onto a flatbed truck for transport into the loading dock bay.

Lifting container modules into place with a mini crane.

Using knuckle crane to build container structure. — Knuckle crane assisting in placing modules.

As you can see, this is not your typical crane lift and requires the right equipment for the job.

Want to learn more?

Call our crane department at 416-900-0969 to speak to one of our crane specialists and learn which crane is right for you.

You can also complete our web form to get a quote on renting it: Crane quote.