Abstract: The present invention is an improved crane comprising a base, a support member connected to and extending upwardly from the base, a deformable member attached to the support member, a microswitch and actuator fastened to the support member and arranged so as to be interactive with the deformable member for sensing the relative displacement of the deformable member with respect to the support member, and a winch/boom lifting system. The deformable member comprises a flange plate fixedly attached to the support member. The flange plate is a load bearing member for the crane. An enclosure is affixed to the flange plate. The switch and actuator portion comprises a bar rigidly affixed to the support member, a microswitch fastened about the other end of the bar, a movement sensor abutting the flange plate, and a control circuitry electrically connected to the microswitch and responsive to the movement sensor so as to enable or disable the lifting system of the crane.