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.

Bracing the walls - Setting the Roof Trusses with a Crane – Building our Schumacher Home – Project Small House — Bracing the walls

The carpenters braced the walls.

Pre-cutting wood - Setting the Roof Trusses with a Crane – Building our Schumacher Home – Project Small House — Pre-cutting wood

Pile of mystery wood - Setting the Roof Trusses with a Crane – Building our Schumacher Home – Project Small House — Pile of mystery wood

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!

Leveling the crane supports - Setting the Roof Trusses with a Crane – Building our Schumacher Home – Project Small House — Leveling the crane supports

He slid out the Outriggers and positioned some railroad ties under them. He had to level the ground a little first.

Assistant Crane Operator - Setting the Roof Trusses with a Crane – Building our Schumacher Home – Project Small House — Assistant Crane Operator

The crane operator had an assistant.

Setting up the crane - Setting the Roof Trusses with a Crane – Building our Schumacher Home – Project Small House — Setting up the crane

He lowered the outriggers until they supported the crane. The tires were completely off the ground. Then he freed the boom.

Maneuvering under the power line - Setting the Roof Trusses with a Crane – Building our Schumacher Home – Project Small House — Maneuvering under the power line

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!

Attaching the truss to the crane - Setting the Roof Trusses with a Crane – Building our Schumacher Home – Project Small House — Attaching the truss to the crane

Sorting the trusses into piles all over the yard - Setting the Roof Trusses with a Crane – Building our Schumacher Home – Project Small House — Sorting the trusses into piles all over the yard

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! The first truss! - Setting the Roof Trusses with a Crane – Building our Schumacher Home – Project Small House — Here it comes! The first truss!

Here it comes! First truss!

Guiding the first truss into place - Setting the Roof Trusses with a Crane – Building our Schumacher Home – Project Small House — Guiding the first truss into place

The truss is not swinging wildly. This guy is guiding it with a rope.

Securing the first truss - Setting the Roof Trusses with a Crane – Building our Schumacher Home – Project Small House — Securing the first truss

The carpenters nailed the truss into place. The first truss took the longest.

Second Truss - You can see they are different. - Setting the Roof Trusses with a Crane – Building our Schumacher Home – Project Small House — Second Truss – You can see they are different.

While they were still securing the first truss, here comes the second! See Cliff’s drone?

Third truss! - Setting the Roof Trusses with a Crane – Building our Schumacher Home – Project Small House — Third truss!

Setting the trusses – Building our Schumacher Home – Project Small House — Setting the trusses

And the third. They are moving fast!

The trusses are nailed in place and attached to each other temporarily. Setting the Roof Trusses with a Crane – Building our Schumacher Home – Project Small House — The trusses are nailed in place and attached to each other temporarily.

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.

Tossing up the piece of wood that attaches each truss to the next. - Setting the Roof Trusses with a Crane – Building our Schumacher Home – Project Small House — Tossing up the piece of wood that attaches each truss to the next.

This guy is on the ground. Whenever anyone needs a piece of wood, he throws it up to them.

Attaching the next truss to the crane. - Setting the Roof Trusses with a Crane – Building our Schumacher Home – Project Small House — Attaching the next truss to the crane.

This guy watches the plan. He lifts the next truss and props it up with his hammer, then loops the crane cable around it.

Guiding the truss with a tow rope. - Setting the Roof Trusses with a Crane – Building our Schumacher Home – Project Small House — Guiding the truss with a tow rope.

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.

Setting the Roof Trusses with a Crane – Building our Schumacher Home – Project Small House — Crane Operator – notice the wind meter?

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!