Built on Precision and Responsibility: Roy Justice on Mastering Heavy Lifts with Mountain Crane

30 Second Takeaway

Roy Justice has spent his career operating some of the most powerful cranes in the world, where precision, preparation, and split-second decision-making define success or failure. As a senior operator with Mountain Crane, Roy reflects on executing groundbreaking crane assemblies, making critical safety calls under pressure, and why communication, mentorship, and attention to detail are the foundation of professional crane operation.

When Assembly Is the Real Challenge

For Roy Justice, the most challenging lift of his career wasn’t defined by the load itself it was the assembly required to make the lift possible.

Working inside a live power plant, Roy and his team assembled a 900-ton crane with 319,000 pounds of counterweight, configured in TYVEN setup with 161 feet of luffing jib. The most demanding phase came when that luffer had to be erected 80 feet in the air.

“To my knowledge, at that time, this assembly procedure had not been accomplished with a 900-ton crane in the United States,” Roy explains.

The lift pushed boundaries not only in execution, but in planning, coordination, and trust in the crew.

Preparing for the Controls Mentally and Physically

Roy’s preparation begins long before he steps into the cab.

“Mentally, I collect as much information specific to each project as possible,” he says. “That way I can mitigate obstacles before they arise.”

Physically, he prioritizes rest and fitness, knowing that crane assembly and disassembly demand just as much from the operator as time spent running the machine.

“You have to be ready for whatever the job requires,” he adds.

Executing Blind Picks in Tight Conditions

In congested or urban environments, Roy believes firsthand knowledge of the site is essential.

“I personally walk the job site so I can anticipate obstacles that may not be obvious.”

That walkthrough is followed by a detailed meeting with the designated signal person to review hazards such as power lines, pedestrian traffic, and site restrictions. Only then does the lift proceed with clear roles, communication protocols, and trust established in advance.

A Lift Style Defined by the Details

Roy’s operating philosophy centers on precision not just in the lift, but in every phase surrounding it.

“The little things matter,” he says.

Throughout his career, Roy has mentored operators to pay close attention to details in assembly, maintenance, safety, awareness, and project knowledge. His experience across tower cranes, mobile cranes, crawler cranes, and friction rigs allows him to match the right equipment to each project’s unique requirements.

That mindset, he says, comes from growing up “cowboy.”

“When it’s time to work we work. Counts need to be correct. No critter left behind. The day’s not done till the last gate is closed.”

A Signature Style on the Road

Roy is also known for bringing personality to the job. Mountain Crane’s fleet often features superhero-themed cranes, making them instantly recognizable.

“We’ve had Justice League, Superman, Optimus Prime, Thor, Captain Marvel, The Hulk, and Iron Man,” Roy says.

The LTM 1650 he currently operates is themed Black Widow.

“You’ll always know when a Mountain Crane is coming down the road.”

Staying Ahead of Technology and Safety

Roy has been selected multiple times by Mountain Crane to travel to Europe to inspect Liebherr cranes as potential fleet additions a reflection of his technical expertise and deep understanding of load charts and crane capability.

Safety, however, remains the core of Mountain Crane’s culture.

The company’s “Safety Strong” philosophy is reinforced daily through Mountain Opps, a digital platform that delivers safety briefings and regulatory updates every morning.

“There’s a short quiz after each briefing,” Roy explains. “Mountain tracks completion and scores and I’ve been on top for four years.”

Making the Call That Changes Everything

One of the most critical safety decisions Roy ever made occurred during a nighttime operation at a wind farm in Texas.

While installing a Siemens rotor onto a turbine, he noticed unusual resistance while applying pressure.

“If I continued, the six o’clock blade would have kicked out and hit the crane,” he says.

Roy halted the operation immediately. Upon investigation, the team discovered the wrong rotor yoke had been installed.

“That split-second decision prevented what could have been a catastrophic chain of events.”

Favorite Machines and a Little Honesty

Roy believes operators naturally grow attached to the cranes they spend the most time with.

Among his favorites are the LTM 1750, LTM 1650, and LTM 1400-7.1.

“If I had to choose one, it would be the LTM 1400-7.1,” he says, citing its ease of setup, strong charts, and impressive walking capabilities.

That said, his wife has another opinion.

“She reminds me the 1650-8.1 I’m running now is my favorite,” Roy laughs. “It’s Black Widow and the only other redhead she’ll let me spend time with.”

Representing the Craft and Passing It On

Roy views crane operation as far more than operating a machine.

“I represent myself, my company, Liebherr, and my crew on every project.”

Behind every lift is coordination with dispatch, equipment transport, crane placement design, customer communication, and crew management responsibilities that grow with experience.

For Roy, the greatest responsibility is passing the craft on.

“I have to be the best I can be every day,” he says. “Future operators need to learn these skills and the tricks of the trade that only come with time.”

The Lift He’ll Never Forget

One moment stands above all others.

On August 11, 1999, Roy was operating a Liebherr tower crane in downtown Salt Lake City, working on the LDS Church’s Assembly Hall. He had climbed down from the crane only for the second time in two and a half years when an F2 tornado struck the most destructive in Utah’s history.

With winds exceeding 115 mph, the tornado ripped 250 feet of jib into the air and slammed it into the building.

Roy returned to coordinate the response.

“I was responsible for securing the site and safely dismantling the damaged tower crane five days earlier than scheduled.”

In a state where tornadoes are rare, the event became one of the defining moments of his career and a reminder that preparation and leadership matter most when the unexpected happens.

About Mountain Crane

Mountain Crane is a leading provider of crane and heavy lifting services, supporting complex construction, energy, infrastructure, and industrial projects across the western United States. Known for its “Safety Strong” culture, Mountain Crane operates a modern fleet of mobile and tower cranes and emphasizes advanced planning, operator training, and innovative safety programs. With a reputation built on reliability, technical expertise, and teamwork, Mountain Crane delivers safe, efficient lifting solutions for some of the most demanding jobs in the industry.

Website  https://www.mountaincrane.com