---
title: "Checklist: Renting Tower Cranes – Important Facts for Crane Operators"
description: "Renting tower cranes: These important facts you should definitely consider as a crane operator – including checklist for download"
url: "/en/blog/checklist-renting-tower-cranes-key-facts-for-crane-operators"
lang: en
---

# Checklist: Renting Tower Cranes – Important Facts for Crane Operators

Tower cranes are indispensable in high-rise construction. We present important facts that you as a crane operator should definitely know when renting tower cranes – including a checklist for download.

## Tower Crane Checklist – Important Facts for Crane Operators for Download

So you don't forget anything when renting a tower crane, we have prepared a detailed [**information sheet including checklist for download**](https://2531671.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/2531671/Merkblatt%20Turmdrehkrane.pdf), which documents the most important facts.

## Renting Tower Cranes – Description and Use

Tower cranes, also known as tower cranes, belong to the lifting technology sector and are used wherever loads need to be moved vertically and horizontally. In short: tower cranes are the most commonly used cranes on construction sites worldwide. They require a relatively small footprint, but the foundation must be very stable.

Tower cranes are divided into [**top-slewing cranes**](/en/mieten/hebetechnik/krane/turmdrehkrane/obendreher-krane) and [**bottom-slewing cranes**](/en/mieten/hebetechnik/krane/turmdrehkrane/untendreher-krane/s/untendreher-kran), with further differentiation between needle booms and trolley booms. Tower cranes with trolley booms are the most common on German construction sites. The key difference between top-slewing and bottom-slewing cranes: top-slewing cranes have significantly more payload and reach.

Beyond the characteristics of tower cranes that crane operators should know before renting, there are a few other things to consider.

[Rent tower cranes](/en/mieten/hebetechnik/krane/turmdrehkrane)

## Tower Cranes on the Construction Site – What Do I Need to Know?

Whether bottom-slewing or top-slewing – every tower crane must meet very specific requirements before it can be deployed on a construction site. Crane operators should therefore first check the following five things:

1. Are aviation permits and **aviation obstruction lights** required?
1. Is the construction site's **foundation** stable enough for a tower crane?
1. Are the necessary **safety distances** being maintained?
1. Can I guarantee that my tower crane is **secured against wind and weather**?
1. Is the work area free of **electrical lines**?

Tower cranes have a high **tipping moment** due to their large range of action. You should definitely take this into account when setting up. A **properly designed crane foundation** is the basic requirement on every construction site where a tower crane is to be rented.

## Renting Tower Cranes – Important Documents for Crane Operators

In addition to the conditions to be checked on the construction site, certain documents should also be available when renting tower cranes. These include above all for the crane operator:

- The competency certification after assembly
- A copy of the last expert inspection
- An operating manual/logbook
- The crane maintenance logbook

You can read in detail about the daily, weekly and periodic tasks that fall to the crane operator in our information sheet for tower cranes.