Tower Crane Hire

Tower crane hire in London is a specialist discipline that goes well beyond simply supplying the machine. The planning, engineering, permitting and logistics involved in erecting a tower crane in a dense urban environment demand experience that only comes from years of working on London construction sites. London Crane Hire has been installing and operating tower cranes across the capital since 2008, delivering self-erecting, flat-top and luffing jib units for residential developments, commercial construction and mixed-use schemes across all London boroughs.

This page covers the three main tower crane types we operate, the technical considerations specific to London, the erection and dismantling process, and the planned maintenance and inspection programme that keeps tower cranes operating safely throughout the hire period.

Tower Crane Types

Self-Erecting Tower Cranes

Self-erecting tower cranes are the most practical option for low- to medium-rise construction and renovation projects. They fold down for road transport and erect themselves on site without the need for a separate mobile crane for the erection process, significantly reducing mobilisation costs and programme time. Our self-erecting fleet covers jib lengths up to 52 metres and maximum loads from 1.3 to 6 tonnes.

Self-erecting cranes are particularly well-suited to residential refurbishment programmes, housing associations carrying out external works to occupied blocks, and commercial fit-out projects where the crane is needed for a period of weeks rather than months. They can be erected and dismantled in a few hours by a two-person crew, making them genuinely flexible assets on fast-moving programmes.

Flat-Top Tower Cranes

Flat-top (or top-slewing) cranes are the standard choice for major new-build construction programmes. Without a jib-end equipment trolley above the jib, flat-top cranes can operate in much closer proximity to each other than conventional top-slewing configurations, which makes them well-suited to large urban sites running two or more cranes simultaneously. Jib lengths in our flat-top fleet range from 40 to 80 metres, with maximum lifting capacities from 5 to 16 tonnes at the hook.

Flat-top cranes require a mobile crane for erection and dismantling, which adds to the mobilisation cost but means the crane itself can be stripped to a compact mast for transport. These are the workhorse cranes on London's large residential and commercial developments, typically installed for hire periods of 12 to 36 months.

Luffing Jib Tower Cranes

Luffing jib cranes are the specialist solution for the most constrained London sites. Unlike a conventional tower crane whose jib rotates at a fixed height, a luffing jib crane can raise and lower its jib angle, which means it can operate in airspace restrictions that would prevent a conventional crane from functioning. This characteristic makes luffing jib cranes indispensable on sites surrounded by existing buildings, where a conventional crane's rotating jib would swing over adjacent properties.

The planning and airspace considerations for Central London high-rise projects often make luffing jib cranes the only viable option. They require more complex installation and maintenance than flat-top cranes, but for constrained sites they are often the difference between a viable crane solution and none at all. Our luffing fleet covers capacities from 8 to 25 tonnes at hook.

London-Specific Considerations

Planning and Working Hours

Tower crane erection and dismantling operations typically require a full road closure and a mobilisation period that generates significant noise. London planning conditions often restrict construction activity to 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 1pm on Saturdays, with no works on Sundays or bank holidays. Crane erection operations that require road closures may be required to take place outside peak traffic hours, which means very early morning starts. Our team is experienced in managing all of these constraints and coordinates with the local authority and planning authority before every installation.

Airspace Management

Tower cranes operating in London frequently rotate within the airspace of adjacent properties, particularly in high-density residential and mixed-use areas. When a crane's jib or counterweight swings over a neighbouring building or property, the site team has a legal obligation to obtain permission from the adjoining owner, or in some cases apply for an oversailing licence. Our planning team reviews airspace requirements as part of every tower crane installation proposal and advises on the appropriate route to securing permission.

Tie-Back Engineering

Tower cranes above a certain height must be tied back to the structure of the building under construction to maintain stability. The tie-back positions, loads and connection design must be agreed between the crane supplier's engineers and the building's structural engineer. Our engineers produce tie-back load calculations and work with the structural engineer to agree connection details. This coordination process starts well before the crane arrives on site, typically during the design development stage of the project.

Wind Load Management

Tower cranes are designed to operate in specific maximum wind speeds and to survive high wind events in an out-of-service condition with the jib free to weathervane. Crane operators monitor wind speeds continuously and must cease operation when speeds exceed the crane manufacturer's limits for the specific jib configuration. In London's exposed rooftop and riverside environments, wind management is an active operational consideration throughout the hire period. All our tower cranes are fitted with anemometers and the operators receive daily weather briefings.

Erection and Dismantling

Tower crane erection is a complex operation requiring a mobile crane of sufficient capacity to lift the heaviest component of the tower crane to the required height. Our erection team plans the mobile crane specification, the erection sequence, the temporary ground support arrangements and the road closure logistics in advance of the erection day. A detailed method statement is produced for every erection and signed off by the site principal contractor before work begins.

At the end of the project, dismantling follows a reverse sequence. Luffing and flat-top cranes are stripped from the top down, with the mast sections lowered and removed by the mobile crane. A post-dismantling inspection report is produced for every crane.

All tower crane erection and dismantling operations are carried out by our own employed erectors who hold the relevant CPCS category cards (A04 Tower Crane) and fall arrest certification. We do not use sub-contracted erectors.

Planned Maintenance and Inspection

LOLER 1998 requires thorough examination of lifting equipment at intervals not exceeding six months for cranes used to lift people, and 12 months for all other cranes. In practice, tower cranes on active construction sites are examined at six-monthly intervals as standard, with statutory inspections carried out by an independent inspection body.

Our planned maintenance programme runs alongside the statutory inspection schedule, with monthly and quarterly service visits covering lubricating, electrical system checks, brake inspection and load testing. All maintenance and inspection records are available to the client and the site's health and safety manager on request.

For more information or to discuss a tower crane installation for your project, contact our team or submit an enquiry online.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to erect a tower crane?

A self-erecting crane can typically be erected in four to eight hours by a two-person crew, depending on the model and site conditions. A flat-top or luffing jib crane erection, including base preparation, mast assembly and jib installation, typically takes one to two days with a full erection crew and mobile crane. The timeline depends on crane height, number of mast sections and site access. We provide a detailed erection programme for every installation.

Do you need planning permission to erect a tower crane?

Tower cranes on construction sites generally fall within the scope of the site's main planning consent. However, some local planning authorities in London require separate notification or consent for cranes above certain heights, particularly in conservation areas or where the crane would be visible from listed buildings or protected views. Our team reviews the planning position for every installation proposal and advises on any additional consents required. We are familiar with the requirements of all 33 London boroughs.

What is the minimum hire period for a tower crane?

For self-erecting cranes, minimum hire periods are typically four weeks, reflecting the mobilisation and demobilisation costs relative to short hire values. For flat-top and luffing jib cranes, minimum hire periods are usually three months. Actual hire periods are agreed on a project-specific basis and can be extended as the programme requires. Contact us to discuss your programme requirements and we will structure a hire agreement that works for your project timeline.