CPCS Appointed Person A61
Excavator Lift Plans UK
Professional excavator lift plans prepared by a CPCS Appointed Person with over 35 years of construction industry experience. LOLER compliant plans for 180° and 360° excavators across the UK, ensuring your lifting operations meet BS 7121 and ISO 10567 standards.
Why You Need a Professional Excavator Lift Plan
Excavators are increasingly used for lifting operations on construction sites across the UK. While convenient, lifting with excavators carries significant risks that differ from traditional crane operations.
The Health and Safety Executive and the Construction Plant-hire Association's Strategic Forum Plant Safety Group have identified key hazards specific to excavator lifting:
Rapid hydraulic movements
Fast articulation and slew speeds can cause load swing
Simultaneous boom and dipper operation
Required to keep loads vertical during placement
Operator override capability
Rated capacity warning devices can be muted, unlike crane systems
Variable lifting capacity
Capacity changes dramatically as radius and boom position change
Ground condition sensitivity
Track pressure distribution differs from crane outriggers
A professional lift plan addresses each of these risks through detailed planning, calculations, and method statements specific to your excavator make, model, and site conditions.
Our Excavator Lift Plan Service
Every excavator lift plan we produce includes:
Site Assessment
- ✓Ground bearing capacity evaluation
- ✓Overhead obstruction identification
- ✓Underground services check
- ✓Access and egress planning
- ✓Exclusion zone determination
Equipment Verification
- ✓Excavator specification review (make, model, configuration)
- ✓Lifting attachment certification check
- ✓Rated Capacity Indicator (RCI) verification
- ✓Thorough examination certificate review
- ✓Lifting accessories specification
Lift Calculations
- ✓Load weight determination including rigging
- ✓Centre of gravity identification
- ✓Lifting radius at pick and place
- ✓Lift point height calculations
- ✓Ground bearing pressure assessment
- ✓Capacity verification against manufacturer's load charts
Documentation Package
- ✓Detailed lift plan drawing (AutoCAD)
- ✓Risk assessment
- ✓Method statement
- ✓Lifting accessories schedule
- ✓Pre-lift checklist
- ✓Briefing record template
Excavator Types We Cover
360° Tracked Excavators
From 1.5 tonne mini excavators to 80+ tonne machines, we calculate lifting capacities for all tracked excavator configurations.
- • Over-front lifting
- • Over-side lifting
- • Pick and carry operations
- • Various boom and dipper arm combinations
180° Wheeled Excavators
Wheeled excavator lift plans require additional considerations for:
- • Stabiliser deployment configurations
- • Ground bearing under stabiliser pads
- • Machine stability during slew
Excavators with Quick Hitches
Quick hitch systems affect lifting capacity and attachment security. We verify:
- • Quick hitch certification
- • Deduction from rated capacity
- • Lifting point integrity
ISO 10567 Compliance
All our excavator lift plans comply with ISO 10567:2013 (Earth-moving machinery — Lift capacity — Hydraulic excavators), which defines:
Rated Lift Capacity
The maximum load an excavator can safely lift at a given radius and height, limited to:
- • 75% of tipping load, OR
- • 87% of hydraulic capacity
Lift Capacity Charts
We interpret manufacturer load charts correctly, accounting for:
- • Boom length configuration
- • Arm (dipper) length
- • Counterweight fitted
- • Track width (extended/retracted)
- • Over-front vs over-side lifting
Our expertise means you get accurate capacity assessments, not conservative guesswork that limits your operations unnecessarily.
When Do You Need an Excavator Lift Plan?
Under LOLER 1998 Regulation 8, every lifting operation must be properly planned by a competent person. For excavator lifting, you need a formal lift plan when:
Even for simpler lifts, having a documented plan demonstrates due diligence and provides essential briefing information for your lifting team.
Excavator Lift Plan Checking Service
Already have lift plans from your subcontractors? We provide independent Appointed Person review to ensure calculations are correct, load charts have been interpreted correctly, and ground bearing has been properly assessed.
Why Choose RMT Solutions for Excavator Lift Plans?
Specialist Expertise
Unlike generalist health and safety consultancies, lift planning is our core business. We understand excavator operations from years of hands-on construction experience.
CPCS Appointed Person (A61)
Our lift plans are prepared by a qualified Appointed Person with current CPCS certification, meeting BS 7121 requirements for competence in planning lifting operations.
Tier 1 Approved
We're trusted by leading UK contractors including Wates, Caddick, and GMI for their lift planning requirements.
Fast Turnaround
Standard excavator lift plans delivered within 24-48 hours. Urgent requirements accommodated where possible.
Software-Enhanced Accuracy
We use industry-leading tools including AutoCAD, LICCON, and 3D Lift Plan software to produce accurate, professional documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can any excavator be used for lifting?
Only excavators designed and equipped for lifting operations should be used. The machine must have a certified lifting point (hook or quick hitch with lifting eye), a Rated Capacity Indicator (RCI) for machines over 1 tonne capacity, current thorough examination certificate covering lifting duties, and manufacturer's lifting capacity chart.
What's the difference between digging capacity and lifting capacity?
Digging capacity is the bucket breakout force. Lifting capacity is the maximum suspended load the machine can safely handle at a given radius. They're completely different measurements. You cannot use digging specifications to determine lifting capability.
Do I need a lift plan for every excavator lift?
LOLER requires all lifting operations to be properly planned. For routine, low-risk lifts, a generic risk assessment and method statement may suffice. For any lift with additional hazards, a specific lift plan should be prepared. When in doubt, document your planning.
How long is an excavator lift plan valid?
A lift plan is valid for the specific lift or series of lifts it was prepared for, provided conditions don't change. If the excavator, load, location, or ground conditions change materially, the plan should be reviewed and updated.
Can I use the same lift plan on different sites?
No. Each lift plan is site-specific. Ground conditions, obstructions, and access will differ between sites, requiring fresh assessment and planning.
Get Your Excavator Lift Plan
Contact us today for a competitive quote on your excavator lift plan requirements.
What we need from you:
- • Site location and layout
- • Excavator make and model
- • Load details (weight, dimensions)
- • Proposed lifting positions
- • Any known hazards or constraints