Win a Crane Tech Shirt!

Post a picture of your crane cab on your social media page or ours (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) with #cranecab for your chance to win a Crane Tech T-Shirt!

Contest ends 7/15. Winner randomly chosen on 7/18 from public photos with #cranecab posted via Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with dates between 6/22-7/15.

Not sure how to do this?  

On Facebook: 

1. Make sure you like our page!
2.  You can post a photo directly to our CraneTech page make sure to type in the following hashtag with no spaces:  #CraneCab
3. You can post a photo directly on your facebook page, just make sure the photo is marked “public” and type in the following hashtag:  #CraneCab

On Twitter:

1. Follow our page @cranetechllc
2. Add a photo and make sure you tag with #CraneCab

On Instagram

1. Follow our page @cranetechllc
2. Add a photo and make sure you tag with #CraneCab

Still not getting it? Email the photo to us.

Today is National Fork Lift Safety Day, sponsored by the U.S. Industrial Truck Association, however we know that in reality everyday requires an emphasis on safety.  It is a constant battle that requires keen awareness and focused attention to keep operators, workers, equipment and the public safe.

Forklifts, or powered industrial trucks (PIT), are probably the most commonly used equipment to move materials.  There are many types, used across numerous industries, and used in various work environments.  They are made to be versatile, (more…)

It’s no doubt that the best start to a safe productive day is with a qualified operator and a complete pre-operational inspection of your crane, as we discussed in the First Line of Defense post.  However we want to submit another layer of checks for you to consider.  It’s not enough just to go through a check list to make sure each piece of equipment is not just turned on and working.  Today mobile cranes have state-of-the-art Load Moment Indicators (LMI) that require a method to ensure the accuracy of their measurements and readouts.

Comparing known values against the readings is an easy way to ensure all indicators and readouts are accurate while providing that extra peace of mind. How do you know that the 45’ radius, the 30-degree angle, and the 1,500 lbs. load weight reported on the LMI is correct if you don’t verify your equipment?

Here is a simple check that will allow you to easily verify the LMI (more…)

Plate clamps (or friction-type pressure gripping lifters, according to ASME B30.20) are a lifting aid that grip the load. They are a necessity in the lifting operations for many industries, but when a lift goes wrong, there is an opportunity for education. In this case a worker lifted a 5/8″, 460-pound, plate of steel from a horizontal position and rotated the plate to vertical with a plate clamp. While attempting to attach a tag line to the clamp the plate slipped and landed on the worker’s foot breaking three bones. An accident investigation identified the following:

• The plate clamp being used was designated for 1-1/4″ to 2″ plate and was rated for 6,000 pounds.
• The plate clamp used to lift and rotate the plate was clearly marked for vertical lifting only.
• The weight of the plate was too light for the plate clamp size that was used.
• The employee was not properly trained in the use of plate clamps.

While we are thankful that the injury was not more serious, could it have been avoided? Absolutely! So let’s look at 15 Tips to help maintain safety when (more…)

This edition of “Where in the World is Crane Tech?” finds us at the Port of Gulfport, Mississippi working for the Gulfport Stevedoring Association.  What makes this trip so exciting? They have three brand-new ZPMC 100-long ton dockside container cranes and Crane Tech is providing classroom and hands-on training for the six men who will operate these cranes.

Photo: Port of Gulfport

While Crane Tech was on-site, last week, there was a Blessing of the Cranes by Mississippi Governor, Phil Bryant and other local officials.  The arrival of the (more…)