Setting the Roof Trusses with a Crane
After a week of wind and rain, we finally had good enough weather for the crane.
The crane was supposed to show up by 9:00.
I got out there early to see the carpenters set up.
The carpenters braced the walls.
The guys were measuring and cutting these short pieces of 2 x 4. They put nails in the ends and made piles of them.
They also leaned some wood up against the bathroom window, where they could pull it in when they needed it.
The crane showed up early. I’m glad I didn’t wait until 9:00!
He slid out the Outriggers and positioned some railroad ties under them. He had to level the ground a little first.
The crane operator had an assistant.
He lowered the outriggers until they supported the crane. The tires were completely off the ground. Then he freed the boom.
He maneuvered the boom under the power lines. Then he extended the boom. This thing is TALL! The sky is clouding up. I sure hope the rain holds off!
They studied the plans to figure out what trusses go where.
Then they arranged them to get at the trusses that go on first. Of course they were at the bottom of the stack.
Here it comes! First truss!
The truss is not swinging wildly. This guy is guiding it with a rope.
The carpenters nailed the truss into place. The first truss took the longest.
While they were still securing the first truss, here comes the second! See Cliff’s drone?
And the third. They are moving fast!
Oh! Now I see what that pile of pre-nailed wood was for!
They use them to secure the tops of the trusses to each other so they won’t domino over.
This guy is on the ground. Whenever anyone needs a piece of wood, he throws it up to them.
This guy watches the plan. He lifts the next truss and props it up with his hammer, then loops the crane cable around it.
They used a piece of 2 x 4 tied to the tow rope as an anchor. They could really quickly attach a truss, guide it into location and throw the rope back for the next one.
See that spinny thing on top of the crane cab? That is to measure the wind.
A gust caught one of the trusses and was quite a task for the guy with the tow rope. The crane operator didn’t move closer to the guys on the roof until it was completely under control. I sure see why they canceled us for the days it was too windy!
It sprinkled a little, but the rain held off. They got all the trusses on the roof!
They even got started on the soffit or fascia. (I’m not sure.)
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