Precast Concrete Block Transport & Placement | Western North Carolina | Up! Up! Lifting
When a private landowner in Marshall, NC needed a retaining wall built along their main driveway to combat persistent hillside erosion, they called Up! Up! Lifting. Using our crane truck, we picked up the precast concrete blocks at Carolina Ready Mix & Builders Supply in Swannanoa and Fletcher, transported them to Marshall, and offloaded — placing them precisely during the final build. Our crane truck platform can be a cost-effective solution for transport, loading, and placement, often eliminating the need for additional heavy equipment.
The Project: Build Retaining Wall Along a Drive
Erosion along the property’s main drive had made a retaining wall a necessity. The solution called for large precast concrete blocks — each measuring 2x2x3 feet and weighing 1,800 pounds — arranged in a stepped, two-row configuration against a terraced hillside.
We loaded the precast blocks at Carolina Ready Mix & Builders Supply, at both they’re Swannanoa and Fletcher plants, and transported them directly to the job site in Marshall, Madison County. This is one of the core advantages of Up! Up! Lifting’s crane truck service: we can pick up heavy precast concrete cargo at the source and deliver it without requiring a separate piece of unloading equipment at the destination. Our truck-mounted crane can lift up to 5,500 lbs next to the truck and up to 1,800 lbs at full crane extension — so the same truck that hauls the load can also place the cargo within reach of the truck.
Collaboration with Mountain Views Grading & Excavating LLC
This project was a great example of two specialized crews working together efficiently. Mountain Views Grading & Excavating prepared the site using an excavator, cutting a back terrace into the hillside in a precise stepped layout — exactly the right foundation for a two-row block wall. Their site prep set us up for clean, accurate block placement from the start.
Our articulated knuckleboom crane has a 31-foot reach with a capacity of 1,800 lbs at full extension. For the majority of the wall, we placed each block carefully and quickly with our crane. For sections that fell beyond the limit of our crane’s reach, we worked with the Mountain Views’ excavator operator — positioning blocks within their range so they could attach a chain and complete the final placement. This kind of real-time coordination keeps a job moving safely and on schedule.
Crane Truck Requirements for Retaining Wall Projects
A crane truck is a highly efficient option for retaining wall block placement — but the right site conditions are essential. To operate safely, our truck requires a level surface within a 5-degree positive or negative grade, and a 12-foot-wide area to deploy the outrigger stabilizers. The job site needs to be clear of overhead obstacles, such as power lines, tree branches, and structures. The project location also needs to be within 31 feet of where the truck can be staged.
In the mountain terrain of Western North Carolina, those conditions aren’t always available. When they are, the advantages are substantial — faster placement, greater precision, and fewer pieces of heavy equipment on site. When they aren’t, we still offer real value: even if our crane can’t reach every placement zone, Up! Up! Lifting remains an excellent choice for customers who need heavy precast blocks picked up from a concrete plant or landscaping supplier and delivered on site. We can transport and offload heavy loads without requiring a forklift, excavator or additional crane at the destination, saving time and cost.
Lifting Capacity at a Glance
Up! Up! Lifting’s truck-mounted crane offers the following lifting capacity:
- Up to 5,500 lbs lifted next to the truck
- Up to 1,800 lbs at full 31-foot crane extension
- Articulated knuckleboom design for precise, controlled placement in tight spaces
For more information on our precast concrete delivery and crane truck services, visit: https://upuplifting.com/crane-truck-services/precast-concrete-delivery/
Serving Western North Carolina and the Surrounding Region
Up! Up! Lifting offers crane truck lift and transport services throughout Western North Carolina, as well as neighboring communities in South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee. We are USDOT & MC licensed for interstate transport.
Some WNC communities that we regularly serve include Asheville, Black Mountain, Swannanoa, Fairview, Arden, Fletcher, Hendersonville, Weaverville, Marshall, Candler, Old Fort, Marion, Bat Cave, Lake Lure, and the surrounding mountain communities.
Whether you’re a homeowner dealing with a sloped or eroding property, a landscaper needing heavy blocks delivered and placed, or a contractor looking for a reliable crane truck partner, we have the equipment and experience to help.
Schedule Your Retaining Wall Project with Up! Up! Lifting
Ready to get started on your retaining wall, block placement, or heavy material delivery project? Contact Up! Up! Lifting to discuss your needs and check availability for your residential or commercial project.
