Smart Operations Planning with the PALFINGER Job Planner
From paper and pencil to digital scheduling: With its Job Planner, PALFINGER simplifies the planning of loader crane operations for fleet managers and operators, thereby increasing efficiency and safety.
An example: moving a 400-kilogram whirlpool into the garden over a garage. The challenges arise on site. A narrow street requires adherence to distances and safety measures. In addition, the curbs and the load-bearing capacity of manhole covers must be taken into account. On the roof of the main building, there is a new PV system that must not be damaged. For the crane operator, planning work awaits.
Precise Planning for Maximum Safety
Accurate planning is crucial for a safe and efficient lifting operation. Faulty calculations can lead to unstable positions or misjudgments of the lifting capacity. Unlike telescopic cranes, knuckle boom cranes enable complex load movements in tight or hard-to-reach areas. However, their high flexibility requires precise planning that takes into account load limits, geometry, stability, and local conditions. “The versatility of a knuckle boom crane is impressive, but it does impose high demands on planning. Every movement must be carefully thought out,” says Stefan Kreuzer.
Unforeseen Challenges in the Whirlpool Installation
Back to the whirlpool that is to be moved into the garden. All calculations are complete, and even a potential road closure was requested in time. But then the wind blows stronger than expected, and in gusts no less. The calculations must be redone immediately. “The conditions on site often change unexpectedly— even a wrongly parked car can disrupt the entire plan. In such moments, quick decisions are required: can the lifting operation be carried out from a different position, or does the car need to be towed away?” describes Stefan Kreuzer.
Smart Support with the Job Planner
In this case, PALFINGER’s digital Job Planner sets new standards. Using all available data, the software enables both rapid and precise calculation of crane operations. It takes into account the specific crane configuration on the vehicle, the planned support situation, as well as load capacity data across the entire load curve. This simplifies even the most challenging operations with knuckle boom cranes. Particularly helpful is the planning facilitated by the combination of a bird’s-eye view – either directly in Google Maps or via a to-scale construction site plan – and the newly available side view. The side view now also allows obstacles such as buildings or other disruptive edges to be included in the planning. “The additional visual display in the side view helps to identify and resolve potential issues in advance. This saves time and minimizes risks,” explains Kreuzer.
Quick Response to Changing Conditions
With the Job Planner, the vehicle position and crane configuration can be adjusted directly on site. “If the planned position is blocked, we have to react immediately. With the Job Planner, the operator on his smartphone checks whether an alternative position is possible or if the planned one needs to be cleared,” Stefan Kreuzer describes the advantages of flexible ad-hoc planning. Thanks to the operator version on the smartphone, or via the Fleet Monitor in the office, changes can be reviewed in real time and communicated to the operator on site.
More Efficiency and Better Communication
A decisive advantage of the Job Planner is the ability to generate a detailed planning report. This not only supports coordination with site managers and clients but also facilitates the application for official permits, such as road closures.
“This avoids misunderstandings in communication. In addition, with the latest version, elements of the planning can be exported in the form of documents – a decisive added value for legal evidence and customer documentation,” emphasizes Stefan Kreuzer.
Conclusion: An Indispensable Tool for Deployment Planners and Crane Operators
The PALFINGER Job Planner greatly simplifies the planning process by enabling faster and more accurate calculations, thereby increasing safety and improving communication. This makes digital planning an indispensable tool for dispatchers and crane operators, significantly contributing to more efficient and safer construction site operations.
