LiftPlanProUK
Excavator lift planning guidance

Excavator Lift Plans

Excavator lifting is common across civils, groundworks, drainage, utilities and construction sites, but it still needs proper planning. The plan must match the actual load, machine, radius, height, lifting point, hitch, ground conditions and site hazards, not just a generic template with a machine name added at the top.

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Standards and Planning Basis

Plan excavator lifting around LOLER Regulation 8, PUWER, CPA/SFPSG excavator lifting guidance and manufacturer lifting charts. The Appointed Person must confirm the selected machine, lifting point, RCI mode, hitch/accessory allowance and lift category remain suitable for the task.

Common Loads

  • Precast rings, cover slabs, headwalls and pipes
  • Trench boxes, drag boxes, frames and shoring equipment
  • Concrete pipes, ducting, chambers and manhole units
  • Steel beams, reinforcement cages and temporary works items

Planning Considerations

  • OHLE and GS6: check for overhead lines before slewing or travelling with a suspended load, and set exclusion distances, goalposts or permits where needed
  • Ground: consider bearing capacity, slopes, trenches, soft spots, services, excavations and whether pick-and-carry is permitted
  • Temporary works: verify trench boxes, shoring frames, props and lifted TW items have known weights and lifting points
  • A61/AP control: confirm whether the lift is basic, standard or complex and whether additional AP/TWC review is needed

Key Checks

  • Confirm OEM lifting chart duty, radius, height and lifting point
  • Include quick hitch, lifting eye, bucket removal and accessory weights
  • Check pick-and-carry restrictions, RCI mode and utilisation
  • Record ground conditions, exclusion zone, banksman and supervision level

Evidence to Record

  • Manufacturer lifting chart for the exact model/configuration
  • Load weight source, gross load calculation and accessory schedule
  • Ground/site condition record and exclusion-zone briefing
  • Competence evidence for operator, lift supervisor and slinger/signaller where applicable

How LiftPlanProUK Helps

  • Machine selection with verified duty data
  • Preset construction loads and adjustable site-specific weights
  • Utilisation checks with clear RAG status
  • PDF output for review, briefing and audit trail
FAQ

Excavator Lift Plans Questions

When is an excavator lift plan required?

A lift plan is required whenever an excavator is used for a lifting operation. The level of detail should match the risk, complexity, environment and load being lifted.

Can the excavator load chart be used without checking site conditions?

No. Manufacturer charts are only one part of the plan. Ground conditions, configuration, lifting accessories, radius, height, supervision and site hazards must all be confirmed.

Does LiftPlanProUK approve the lift?

No. LiftPlanProUK supports planning and documentation. A competent Appointed Person or authorised reviewer must check and approve the final plan.