Liebherr Training Document: Influences of Wind on Crane Operations
Wind is one of the most decisive external factors affecting safe crane operations. This guideline explains the essential principles from Liebherr’s training document on wind influences and why understanding these effects is crucial for safe lifting in all heavy-lifting environments.
Before diving into the details, it is important to understand why wind guidance matters. In lifting operations, wind can cause sudden instability, uncontrolled load movement and structural overloads. That is why Cranes for You includes this topic in the Knowledge Centre: professionals need clear, practical guidance to anticipate risky conditions, plan safe operations and comply with industry standards.
Summary of the Guidance
Liebherr’s training document outlines how wind affects cranes and loads during lifting operations. Key insights include:
- Wind pressure increases exponentially with wind speed, not linearly.
- Tall cranes, long booms and large surface areas (such as blades or panels) experience significantly higher wind forces.
- Operating limits depend on crane configuration, load dimensions, jib systems and working radius.
- Wind can induce hazardous side loads, dynamic load swings and loss of stability.
- Even moderate wind speeds can exceed safe thresholds for large or lightweight loads.
The document highlights that wind assessment is not optional: it must be integrated into planning, monitoring and operational control.
Practical Relevance in Lifting Operations
Understanding wind influence is essential for:
- Planning lifts with realistic wind thresholds
- Ensuring operators monitor environmental conditions continuously
- Selecting appropriate lifting windows based on forecast and actual measurements
- Preventing overload situations caused by dynamic forces
- Making safe go/no-go decisions during rapidly changing weather
- Informing clients and site management about weather-related constraints
This knowledge applies to all industry sectors, including construction, offshore, energy, and heavy industrial lifting.
Official Source
This guidance is based on the Liebherr Training Document: Influences of Wind on Crane Operations.
Related Knowledge Articles
- ICSA Crane Ground Preparation for Wind Farms
- Checklist for Safe Transport of Oversized Wind Turbine Components
- SPMT Best Practices
- Best Practice Guide for Transport and Installation of Onshore WTG Systems
Ready to Improve Safety and Efficiency?
Understanding wind is essential for safe crane operation — but putting that knowledge into practice requires consistent procedures, trained personnel and the right tools.
Strengthen your organisation’s lifting safety today by dropping us an e-mail and we will send you the document free of charge!
