| Q: Why do lifting accessories
have a rating tag or label attached?
A: It is a legal requirement,
Every lifting accessory that is used to carry a load MUST
have its safe working load and a unique identificant number
attached. If any equipement is not labelled you must STOP
using it immediately and contact the Appointed Person or
Crane Supervisor who will arrange for it to be replaced.
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Q: A lifting accessory has
slight damage. Can I continue using it?
A: Stop using the accessory
immediately and contact the Appointed Person or Crane Supervisor
who will arrange for it to be inspected and in most cases
replaced.
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Q: The crane will not slew in the direction I want it to go. What is wrong?
A:There are three basic checks to perform if this happens:
- Check Slewing pin isn't in.
- Try Slewing the opposite direction: a crane can only turn 2.5 times in either direction.
- If that does not work contact your crane supplier.
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Q: What
are the upper and lower hoist limits? Why are they important?
A:
The most common cause of hoist rope damage is the hook block
hitting the floor, making the wire ropes "bird's nest" on
the drum. In order to help prevent this, the lower limit can
be set so that the hook cannot hit the deck. NOTE: Care will
still be required when lowering the hook at higher levels.
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Q: What are the LOLER regulations?
A:
The use of all lifting plant and accessories used in the UK
is governed by the LOLER regulations, LOLER stands for "The
Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998".
All lifting equipment and accessories must be clearly marked
with their SWL (Safe Working Load). When not in use they must
stored in a manner that will prevent them from being damaged
(Reg.7).
Reg.9 states the interval at which a thorough examination
and inspection of lifting equipment is required. This is generally
12 months, or 6 months if being used to lift people.
All lifting accessories should be examined by a competent
person every 6 months.
For more details about LOLER contact the HSE at www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/liftindx.htm
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Q: What is meant by operating limits?
A:
These are set when the crane is commissioned. Their purpose
is to provide a safe guard against accidental mis-use of the
crane and comprise of the following:
- Hoist Lower & Upper Limits
- Trolley in/out limits
- Overload Cut-out.
In addition to these limits all cranes supplied in the UK should be fitted with
a wind speed indicator that provides audible and visual warnings
when maximum operational windspeed is being reached.
When other obstructions on or around the site require slewing
restrictions to be in place cranes with Top Zone control should
be specified.
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Q: What
is the overload cut-out?
A:
This is to intended to assist the operator by stopping the
crane lifting or carrying a weight which is over the limit
at that radius, audible alarms will sound at 90% and cut out
at 110% only allowing 'safe actions' of trolleying in or load
lowering to take place. Refer to section on safety devices
regarding LOLER requirements.
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Q: The
crane's remote control is beeping. What should I check?
A: Look at the following:
- Check the battery is installed correctly.
- Change the battery and recharge the removed battery.
- Check whether any of the cranes operating limits are
being exceeded.
- If all the above have been checked and are OK contact your crane supplier.
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Q: What
are the trolley in/out limits? Why are they important?
A:
The trolley 'in' limit prevents the trolley impacting on the mast of the crane, it is normally set to stop at 2.8m from the centre of slew during the commissioning procedure.
The trolley 'out' limit prevents the trolley hitting the nose
end of the jib and stretching the wire ropes. This is normally
set to just before the stopper.
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Q: What
do I check if crane will not start?
A:
When regularly maintained and serviced the SETC crane is a very reliable machine, if it will not start here are some simple checks that may solve the problem:
- Check mains/generator power supply connections for bad connections.
- Check power cable is not stretched or has been damaged since last used.
- Check power switch on the crane has been turned on.
- Make sure generator or mains supply is providing enough power for start up, volts and amps.
- ALSO, has any other electrical equipment been connected to the site system since the crane was last operated.
- In winter allow approx 10 minutes after power is livened
up for the system heaters to dissipate any moisture that
may have settled on the electrical system overnight.
- If all the above have been checked and are OK, contact your crane supplier.
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Q: Why and when do I need
to use a drop chain?
A:
The drop chain attaches to the crane hook block and to the
accessories that are used for lifting. It helps prevent the
hook block from hitting items and enables accessories to be
more easily connected and manoeuvered.
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Q: What
does the 4 leg chain sling do?
A:
This is designed for slinging and lifting items, such as muck
tubs, boat skips timber frame panels, etc. It allow a number
of different slinging configurations to be acheived without
having to change accessory.
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Q: What
does the block grab do?
A:
Block grabs are designed to transport packs of concrete blocks
from the storage area to the final location or workplace loading
bays. The block grab must have a load net attached to protect
against load displacement hazards.
The polythene wrapping of packs of blocks must be cut away
from the pack where the grab makes contact. Grabs are adjustable,
so you can automatically pick up 4, 3 or 2 layers of blocks
to a greater radius than the crane can reach with a whole
pack.
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Q: Why would a ½ pack block grab be useful?
A:
These are ½ the size and weight of the regular block grab
and can take 2 layers of concrete blocks at a time. They are
ideal if you need to take blocks to the end of the jib with
the smaller cranes.
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Q: What
do brick forks do?
A:
Brick forks are designed to enable you to move packs of bricks
from storage area to loading bays. These have net hooks on
to attach the net easily and safely. The prongs of the forks
go through a pallet with ease and are adjustable for different
size pallets. The bands on a pack of bricks are not suitable
for lifting with so a pallet must be used, and a net.
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Q: What do muck tubs (crane type) do?
A:
These are designed for craning mortar to bricklayers from
the mixing point to the final location or workplace loading
bays. They have integrated handles for the 4 leg drop chains
to attach and detach easily. We advise against using brick
fork supported tubs as tolerance of brick forks may lead to
instability.
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Q: What
is the difference between boat skips and bucket skips?
A:
These disposal skips are designed for moving waste etc from
the working area to the lorry, skip, muck away pile etc, and
also can be used for concreting and screeding duties. To use
simply attach drop chain hook through the lifting point on
the skip, when you want to empty, lower to ground level, guide
the handle down and back and re lift to tip carefully.
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Q: When would I need to use
a spreader beam?
A:
These are used when you need to lift wide loads whilst using shortened chains or when the height under the hook is limited, so you can still use the correct positions for lifting.
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Q: Why would I choose to use fibre slings?
A:
These are designed for lifting loads that may be damaged by
chains, They must be used with sleeves to help prevent cutting
and fraying. They can be purchased at very reasonable cost
from us, we do not hire them out for safety reasons. As soon
as they start showing any signs of damage, they must be replaced.
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