Are you in the market for a used crane? Whether you are shopping online, in an auction setting, or through a private transaction, it is smart to have your mechanic or third-party inspector involved. Ask to see the inspection history of any previously owned crane you are seriously considering buying. You want to know that […]
By Lucy Perry, Editor, Crane & Rigging Hotline It occurred to me, as I recently spent time with four generations of my family, that learning never stops. At the ripe old age of one, my great-nephew is just learning what it means to toss a ball, while my 85-years-young mother learns a new word or […]
By Michelle Lorenz, Manager of Litigation and Claims, NBIS In the May issue of American Cranes & Transport, John Schoppert discussed the most common OSHA citations under the new Crane and Derrick standard. NBIS has found that the cause of accidents in this niche market has some significant differences from the most common OSHA citations. […]
Sims Crane brings you a series written by Ron Kohner, President, Landmark Engineering Services Ltd., in which he explains the meaning and implications of the "bold line" present in the crane manufacturers' lift charts. With a wink and a nod, many crane users and operators over the years have patiently lectured that it is “sort […]
Sims Crane brings you the second part of the series written by Ron Kohner, President, Landmark Engineering Services Ltd., in which he explains the meaning and implications of the "bold line" present in the crane manufacturers' lift charts. For Part 1 click here. The following are some of the factors that manufacturers must consider as […]
Objects falling from the load, or dropped during crane assembly and disassembly operations create a potentially lethal job site hazard. In many cases, the load simply has not been rigged, secured and balanced properly, causing material contained within the load to shift and fall. During assembly or disassembly operations, personnel involved in the operation should […]
Working in Florida, high wind conditions rarely show up alone. They are usually accompanied by rain and often lightning. There are many things to take into account while making decisions regarding a lift in these conditions. In October, when Hurricane Sandy hit New York City, a crane collapsed under high winds and was hanging dangerously […]
Learning to operate a crane competently requires the operator to demonstrate skill in real time. The crane industry in North America recognizes the limitations of assessing competence of crane operators using written tests and informal employer evaluations alone without any real-time skill assessment. Despite often arcane educational terminology, competence assessment is a practical way of […]
Mobile cranes are one of the most widely operated pieces of equipment on a construction site requiring companies to train and educate their employees on safe practices at a job site. The most serious accidents involving cranes are the result of inadequate planning and unsafe use of the equipment, leading to instability and overturning. Mr. […]
Astrid Hager-Guthrie, global product director for all-terrain cranes at Manitowoc Cranes, discusses cylinder drift with Lift and Access. Drift not only occurs in cranes but also in telescopic handlers, aerial lifts, and other equipment that uses hydraulic cylinders. LA: What is hydraulic cylinder drift? AH-G: Cylinder drift due to hydraulic leaks will appear as gradual […]
