How far in advance do I need to book a mobile crane?

For standard construction lifts, same or next-day mobilisation is often achievable if you have load weights, radii and site access information ready when you call. For complex lifts requiring detailed planning, abnormal load routing, or significant lift plan preparation, allow at least two to three working days. The earlier you call, the more flexibility we have on machine scheduling.

What information do you need to size a mobile crane?

Load weight, lift radius (distance from the crane centre pin to the load), required hook height, outrigger pad area available, and any overhead obstructions or access constraints. With this information we can confirm the correct crane size and produce an outline lift plan. If you do not have precise weights, give us your best estimate and we will apply an appropriate safety margin.

Do you provide a lift plan with operated crane hire?

Yes. A lift plan is included with all Coppard operated crane hire. The plan covers crane position, outrigger spread, lift geometry, load weight, rigging, exclusion zone and personnel qualifications. For complex lifts, a more detailed plan may be required and this is agreed during the booking process.

Are your crane operators CPCS certified?

Yes. All crane operators supplied by Coppard hold current CPCS cards in the relevant category for the crane type they are operating. CPCS card copies are available on request for your site safety records.

Non-Operated Crane Hire in Crowborough, East Sussex —
Bare Crane Hire for Contractors with Their Own Lifting Teams

You have the operator. You have the lift plan. You need the crane. Non-operated crane hire — commonly called bare crane hire — puts the machine on your site under your control. Call 01892 662 777 to discuss availability.

54 Years Trading

CPCS-Certified Operators

Lift Plans Included

Same or Next-Day Mobilisation

Your operator, your lift plan, your programme — you just need the crane.

Non-operated crane hire means the crane is delivered to site without a Coppard operator. Your CPCS-certified crane operator takes control of the machine, and your lifting supervisor manages the operation under your lift plan. This arrangement suits principal contractors with established in-house lifting teams and regular crane requirements.

Mobile cranes and all-terrain cranes on non-operated hire terms. East Sussex and Kent delivery available.

What Non-Operated Crane Hire Means in Practice

Non-operated crane hire — sometimes called bare crane hire or dry hire — is the arrangement where the crane is supplied without an operator, and the responsibility for the lifting operation transfers to the hiring contractor. This is distinct from operated crane hire, where Coppard supplies both the crane and a CPCS-certified operator who conducts the lift under Coppard’s lifting supervision arrangements.

Under a non-operated arrangement, the hiring company is responsible for supplying a CPCS-certified crane operator with the correct category of card for the crane type being hired, for producing and signing off the lift plan for each lifting operation, for appointing a qualified lifting supervisor, and for the safe conduct of all lifting operations during the hire period. The hiring company takes on the duty holder responsibilities that Coppard would otherwise fulfil.

This arrangement is commercially appropriate for principal contractors and specialist lifting subcontractors who operate their own lifting teams, maintain their own lift planning capability, and have a regular volume of crane requirements that makes machine-only hire more efficient than calling for operated hire on each occasion. It is not appropriate for organisations without established lifting competence — the legal and safety duties that transfer with the crane are substantial and must be properly resourced.

What You Need to Hire a Crane on Non-Operated Terms

Before Coppard can place a crane on non-operated hire, we need to confirm that the hiring organisation has the required competence and arrangements in place. This includes confirmation that a CPCS-certified operator with the correct category of card for the crane type will be operating the machine, that a competent lifting supervisor will be appointed for all lifting operations, and that lift plans will be produced and signed off by an appropriately qualified person for each lift.

We will also confirm that the machine has been inspected under LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations) and that the pre-hire handover condition of the machine is recorded and agreed. For cranes supplied on non-operated hire, any damage that occurs during the hire period is the responsibility of the hiring contractor. The crane is returned in the same condition it was supplied, or costs are agreed before the hire closes. Call 01892 662 777 to discuss your requirements and confirm the competence confirmation process.

For full specifications and pricing on our complete non-operated crane range, browse the Coppard online catalogue.

Non-Operated Crane Hire Across East Sussex and Kent

Coppard delivers cranes on non-operated hire to construction sites across East Sussex and Kent. Contractors working in Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge, Uckfield, East Grinstead, Heathfield, Wadhurst, Forest Row and across the High Weald regularly use our hire fleet on non-operated terms where they have their own lifting teams in place.

For principal contractors managing multiple concurrent crane requirements across a programme, non-operated hire of the crane fleet gives control over operator scheduling and lift planning while keeping the machine supply with a single, reliable hire company. Call 01892 662 777 to discuss your crane capacity requirements and confirm machine availability and hire rates.

We regularly supply non-operated crane hire to customers across Tunbridge Wells, Uckfield, East Grinstead, Heathfield, Wadhurst, Forest Row and Tonbridge. Same-week delivery available from our Crowborough depot across East Sussex and Kent.

The Legal Framework for Non-Operated Crane Hire

The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) establish the legal framework for crane hire. Under LOLER, lifting operations must be properly planned by a competent person, appropriately supervised, and carried out safely. When a crane is on non-operated hire, these duties rest with the hiring organisation — not with Coppard as the crane supplier.

The BS 7121 code of practice for the safe use of cranes is the primary technical standard covering lift planning, operator competence, lifting supervisor duties, and the conduct of crane operations on construction sites. Hiring contractors should ensure their lifting arrangements align with BS 7121 requirements. Coppard can provide relevant machine technical data and lift capacity charts to support lift planning, but the plan itself must be produced and signed off by the hiring contractor’s competent person. Call 01892 662 777 to discuss what technical information we can provide to support your lifting programme.

Why Choose Coppard for Non-Operated Crane Hire?

Coppard has operated in the crane hire sector across East Sussex and Kent for 54 years. Our hire fleet is maintained to the standard that contractors working under BS 7121 expect — thorough examination current, all crane documentation available, and machines that are ready to perform from day one of the hire period. For principal contractors who need reliable machine supply without the lead times and administration overhead of buying, we provide the fleet flexibility that keeps lifting programmes on schedule.

Contractors who also use our operated crane hire services can switch between operated and non-operated arrangements as their programme and staffing require, using a single account with Coppard. Call 01892 662 777 to discuss your non-operated crane hire requirement.

Searching for the best non-operated crane hire near me? Coppard’s Crowborough depot covers Crowborough, Tunbridge Wells, Uckfield, East Grinstead, Heathfield, Tonbridge, Forest Row, Wadhurst, Hartfield and the wider High Weald area of East Sussex and Kent. Call 01892 662 777.

For the full range of Crane Rental Agency available from our Crowborough depot, visit our Crane Rental Agency page.

Browse the full Non-Operated Crane Hire catalogue on the Coppard website — full specifications, models and current availability.

Frequently Asked Questions — Non-Operated Crane Hire in Crowborough and East Sussex

What is the difference between operated and non-operated crane hire?

Operated crane hire includes a Coppard-supplied CPCS-certified operator who conducts the lifting operation under Coppard’s supervision arrangements. Non-operated hire supplies the crane only — the hiring contractor provides the operator, the lifting supervisor, and takes on the lift planning and duty holder responsibilities for all lifting operations during the hire period.

Do I need LOLER thorough examination records for a hired crane?

Yes. The hiring contractor must confirm that the crane has a current thorough examination report under LOLER before use. Coppard supplies cranes with current thorough examination documentation, and this is confirmed as part of the hire handover process. You should sight the thorough examination certificate before the crane begins work.

Can any CPCS card holder operate any crane?

No. CPCS cards are category-specific. An operator with a category A36 card (mobile crane) is not automatically certified to operate an all-terrain crane (A37) or a tower crane. The operator’s CPCS card must match the crane category being operated. Confirm the card category of your nominated operator when you call to arrange hire.

Who is responsible for the lift plan on non-operated hire?

The hiring contractor. Under LOLER, every lifting operation must be planned by a competent person and the plan must be appropriate for the lift. On non-operated hire, this duty rests entirely with the hiring organisation. Coppard can provide crane load charts, radius data and technical specifications to support your lift planner, but the plan itself must be produced, checked and signed off by your appointed competent person.

Need non-operated crane hire near you in East Sussex or Kent?

Call 01892 662 777. Same-day collection from Crowborough. Delivery across East Sussex, Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge, Uckfield, East Grinstead and beyond.

Non-Operated Crane Hire in Crowborough, East Sussex — Bare Crane Hire for Contractors with Their Own Lifting Teams