Tower crane placement
Tower crane placement on your site plan, at true scale
EasySiteSI is a browser-based tool for working out where a tower crane can go on your site. Calibrate your site plan PDF on a live satellite map, drop in a true-size tower, mobile, crawler or pick-and-carry crane, set its lift radius and see where the slew ring falls over the site boundary, footpaths, roads and neighbouring properties. Split the slew into lift and no-lift zones, then place site sheds, laydown, gates and delivery routes around it and export a PDF for each phase.
What is tower crane placement?
Tower crane placement is working out where a crane can stand so its jib reaches every lift point and the delivery and laydown areas, while limiting oversail of neighbouring land, footpaths and roads and keeping clear of overhead power. The crane position also shapes the rest of the site: where the site sheds go, where trucks unload and where people walk. Seeing the crane at true scale on an aerial view of the site makes those trade-offs clear early.
Tower crane placement checklist
Things to check on the plan before you lock in a crane position:
- Reach: the lift radius covers every lift point, the loading zone and the laydown area.
- Slew and oversail: where the slew ring passes over the site boundary, neighbouring properties, footpaths and roads.
- Lift and no-lift zones: which parts of the slew loads can travel over, and which they can’t.
- Overhead power and other hazards: overhead power lines, trees and other exclusion areas near the jib.
- Crane base or set-up area: the crane pad, or the outrigger pads for a mobile crane.
- Deliveries: the delivery route, gates and loading zone under the hook.
- Site sheds and walkways: amenities, parking and pedestrian routes kept clear of the lift area where needed.
- Phases: how the crane, laydown and access change over the job.
How to place a tower crane in EasySiteSI
- Put your site plan on the map. Drop in your site plan PDF, PNG or JPG (or a DXF on Pro) and calibrate it over live satellite, street or hybrid mapping at true scale.
- Choose a crane. Pick a true-size tower, mobile, crawler or pick-and-carry crane from the objects library.
- Set the lift radius. Enter the radius and see the slew ring drawn to scale over the site and the surrounding area.
- Move it until it works. Drag the crane and watch where the slew ring falls over the boundary, footpaths, roads and neighbouring properties. Split the slew into lift and no-lift zones.
- Lay out the site around it. Place site sheds, laydown, gates, the loading zone and the delivery route, then label the plan with callouts.
- Export. Export a print-ready PDF at A1, A3 or A4 with a legend and north arrow. On Pro, export a sheet for each phase with a title block and your logo.
Cranes and related objects in the library
Cranes
Tower cranes, including a luffing jib crane, plus mobile, crawler and pick-and-carry cranes, drawn to true size with slew rings and lift radius.
Crane set-up and zones
Crane pads, outrigger pads, crane oversail zones, overhead power exclusion zones, exclusion and safety zones.
Deliveries and storage
Loading zones and loading bays, laydown areas, delivery routes, containers, trucks and semi-trailers.
Site sheds and access
Single and double site sheds, site offices, toilets, fencing with panel counts, gates, walkways and parking.
Some objects are part of the Pro plan’s full objects library. On Pro you can also use Make object to add your own.
What EasySiteSI doesn’t do for cranes
EasySiteSI shows reach and slew, not capacity. Load charts, ground conditions and lift studies stay with your crane supplier and engineers.
It works in 2D plan view over aerial imagery, so it doesn’t model crane heights, jib clashes between cranes in 3D, or lift sequences. Oversail of neighbouring land, footpaths or roads usually needs agreement from the owner or the relevant authority.
Open the finished sample plan, see how EasySiteSI compares with CAD, Bluebeam, PowerPoint/Visio and SketchUp, or read about the site plan for a council CMP.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the best online tool for tower crane placement on a site plan?
If you need to see where a tower crane reaches over your site and the surrounding area, EasySiteSI does that in your browser. Calibrate your site plan on a live satellite map, place a true-size tower crane, set its lift radius and see its slew ring, lift and no-lift zones and any oversail. For capacity, load charts and lift studies, use your crane supplier's planning tools and engineers.
How do I check a tower crane's radius against the site boundary?
Calibrate your site plan on the live satellite map so the boundary sits on the real streets and neighbouring properties. Place a true-size tower crane, set its lift radius and drag it until the slew ring covers your lift points. Everything is to scale, so you can see exactly where the radius crosses the boundary.
Can I show crane oversail over a neighbouring property?
Yes. Because your site plan sits on aerial imagery at true scale, you can see where the slew ring passes over neighbouring land, footpaths and roads. Split the slew into lift and no-lift zones so the plan shows where loads can and can't travel, and add a crane oversail zone and callouts to label it.
Can I compare two crane positions?
Yes. Place a crane at each candidate position and compare their slew rings and lift radius against the boundary, site sheds and delivery areas. On the Pro plan you can put each option on its own sheet or phase and export a PDF of each to discuss with your team and crane supplier.
Which cranes are in the library?
The library has true-size tower cranes, including a luffing jib crane, plus mobile, crawler and pick-and-carry cranes, each with a slew ring and lift radius. Related objects include crane pads, outrigger pads, crane oversail zones and overhead power exclusion zones. Some objects are part of the Pro plan's full objects library.
Does EasySiteSI check crane capacity?
No. EasySiteSI shows reach and slew, not capacity. Load charts, ground conditions, crane selection and lift studies stay with your crane supplier and engineers.
Learn more
Plan your next site in minutes
Open EasySiteSI in your browser and start with your own site plan. It works in your browser, no install, and you start with a 30-day Pro plan trial. The Basic plan is free.
Found a bug or have an idea? Send feedback (with screenshots) from the Feedback button in the app, or get in touch via paretoway.com.au.