Thanks for that, mate. Yeah it's daunting when your a bit inexperienced. But even the experienced struggle sometimes. I was on a job once where the slinger would say to me 'I'm leaving this to you Jim' when we were standing up 10t precast concrete columns. Even one of the experienced crane supervisors did the same when I was standing 14m long screens up. Said it was out of his depth. So, I wouldn't worry about it too much. But yeah, your man was right. It's best to keep tension on the chains and keep the hook over the end being lifted. I'll probably be posting videos on end lifts in the future.

Thanks 👍

Thank you 💕

Haha, yeah it's not for everyone. Thanks, Ian 👍🏾

Well I agree that's probably the case for some people. 😂 Not sure who you're referring to, though. The crane fitters, operators, slingers, site personnel in general, or all of the above?

@@CCcranelife Anyone who drinks alcohol over the weekend is potentially still somewhat impaired on Monday mornings. If anything lacking 100% concentration. Those kinds of people.

@@Zodliness Yeah I know of people who have been turned away from site coz they're still intoxicated. It's not good. I rarely drink anyway, but definitely not on a school night.

Hi I've worked as a slinger on HS2 but haven't used this yet as it was RC Frame stuff building viaduct piers. This video and potentially others featuring boat skips, concrete skips etc. would be very informative because during the slinger course you only do a few basic loads that don't prepare you for the real world work and also it's hard to find lift plans online where someone could research all the lifting equipment in use. Great channel mate looking forward for your next videos!

@@LetsHaveSomeFunProgramming Yeah, it's why I'm putting the content out there. Because on site is a whole world different to training centres. Yep, there will be one on boat skips in the future. I have a backlog of videos to edit. Cheers for the kind words mate, it means a lot. I'm glad you appreciate the content.

Hello Mark. Thanks for getting in touch. Great question. I can only advise you on the tower crane aspect, because that's what I know. Although, I imagine it's much the same with other categories, like mobiles and crawlers. There are a couple of options. You could get your red card, then apply to agencies as a priority over crane hire companies. There are agencies out there who take on red cards. Another option is to apply for in-house training or apprenticeships. That way, once you've passed, you're guaranteed work within the company, providing you see the probation period through, if there is one. Select and HTC are the 2 main companies that do this. They used to be apprenticeships but is different now. For example, HTC pay for the course and you pay them back a certain amount each week out your wages. So, the site contractors who tend not to allow red cards on site, do allow operators from these companies because they're reputable, and because of the programme they provide, in terms of quality training, mentoring, shadowing, etc. You could also do the slinger work for a while, for a company that have their own cranes, then apply to operate their cranes once you have the ticket. At least then, you're in the door and have inside knowledge of the landscape. I think all crane operators should have some prior experience as slingers anyway, and vice versa. And at the end of the day, buildings will always be going up, so I don't think people will ever be out of work too long. Sometimes in life, you just have to take this risk and make the leap. If you get your ticket but struggle to find work for a little while, at least you have something to fall back on. Plus, you also have a crane ticket under your belt. It gives more options. I hope that helps. Please do let me know how you get on.

@CCcranelife Are all crane layouts the same ? There's nothing worse than jumping onto a bit of kit and not knowing how to operate it, lol. And is it possible to get work abroad? To be honest, that's the main reason I want to do it, I want to escape this hell hole in the next couple of years and thought this could be the way out. I did consider mobile cranes, but I'm worried about working over 60hrs a week , travelling to work, travelling to site, travelling back, travelling home and so on

@@Mark.Claughton The controls for the motions are pretty much all the same. Although some controls have progressive movement for the speed, whereas others have the gears that click. Although the motions are the same, most cranes feel different. They operate different. There are differing speeds, the deflection varies, the screen layouts might be different, etc. Mostly it will depend on the manufacturer and what configuration they're in. Yeah, it's possible to work abroad. I don't know how much work there is out there, though. You can check on crane forums for that. You'll also easily do over 60 hours on the towers as well as all the travelling. That's one downfall of the job, unfortunately. But yeah, at least if you're not staying away, you haven't got the extra travel of going back home.

@CCcranelife if u have to do 60 hours plus a week , I'm guessing it's the same for slingers. That would be hard graft in the pissing down rain all day, slinging up loads.

@@Mark.Claughton Yep 😆 I often wind em up. Especially in the winter. I tell em I've had to turn the heating down coz I'm too warm.

😂😂 Guilty as charged.

Turns out the nest is in the frame of the other crane's cab. 😬

Found out they've nested inside the frame of the other crane's cab. They just like to visit me, lol. Nah, they're not aggressive. I usually let the odd one chill out with me.

Nah mate. I'm at one with the honey bees. I'd definitely get one for wasps though.

Wow!! You were very very lucky there. How the hell did that not squash your foot? It must have been in a gap or void in the track or something. It's so easily done though. I remember changing the tracks on a little 1.7ton Kabota when I was a groundworker. Even that made me cautious, so I can't imagine working on a big machine like that.

Wow, it hasn't been donated to a museum yet? 😆 Just kidding, mate. Some of these old machines are the best to operate. You know some of the cabs these days have aircon, heated seats, indicators to show what speed you're in, and loads more.

I think it's important in life in general. But definitely so in our industry. I really appreciate your words. It means a lot.