That’s odd…driving across the Memorial Bridge, catching something out of the corner of your eye…and yikes! It’s hovering oxy-acetylene tanks! It’s just a coincidence that they happen to be at eye level from the bridge, but it’s a pretty neat anti-theft technique for job sites.

When the crew wraps up at the end of the day, they can simply gather any equipment that might grow legs overnight by appealing to would-be thieves and attach it to the cranes. They then lift it in the air, lock up for the night, and go home assured their equipment will remain until morning. Another purpose is keeping the crane’s ball and hook weighted so the wind can’t play with it. It’s not a bad plan.

So, unless you’re a crane operator and a locksmith, you’re out of luck trying to make off with any free equipment from this site. I’ve even seen some job sites where a 4×4 ATV hangs suspended from the crane…it’s a clever and unique anti-theft mechanism, and I applaud whoever came up with this idea. I’m guessing it works pretty well!