For many years, there were only two positions where mobile crane outriggers could be used for applications of crane ratings:

1. All outriggers fully deployed and set.
2. Outriggers not deployed or set.

However, modern cranes have changed dramatically and this includes how their outriggers can be configured. To make sure we are on the same path: never has any crane manufacturer approved “on outrigger” ratings when all outriggers were not EQUALLY deployed and set to specification. No manufacturer ever allowed only one, two, or three of four outriggers set at any location to determine a crane’s safe rating. It was not uncommon, for an operator working in tight quarters to position outriggers at different locations in order to level the crane and to refer all lift capacities to the more conservative On-Rubber load chart. Seemingly the safe approach to ensuring that any loss of stability would be prevented by the outriggers being set, providing a little support regardless of their actual configuration. After all, the ratings being used were conservative for on-rubber lifts only, right? Wrong! (more…)

Look what’s in the January edition of Crane Hotline. Our three new rigging frames are the focus of the Spotlight Rigging feature. The I-beam, Y-pipe, and adjustable rectangular frame are just a few of the tools that we use for hands-on exercises to create moments of discovery for Qualified Rigging Level 2 students.

Want to learn more about how these apparatuses create ‘ah-ha’ moments and help bring rigging concepts to life? Check out the full story here or click for more information on our Qualified Rigging Level 2 Course.

Recently several of my employees were at a workshop, where the question was asked of the attendees if they had ever signaled a crane using the signal displayed to the right. Over 75% raised their hand, confirming they had told a crane operator to hoist a load. Then the question was asked, how many of you are qualified signalpersons? Over half of the hands went down.

Maybe I shouldn’t be surprised to hear this, but I was. Five years after OSHA required all persons that give signals to a crane be qualified, we are still hearing of individuals signaling cranes who aren’t qualified.

There are several routes I take my thoughts, the first is why not? (more…)

Search for a quote on knowledge and you will find thousands of responses from greats such as Ben Franklin, Albert Einstein, Horace Mann and Plato. We instinctively know that the more information we are exposed to, the more opportunities we have to learn.

We hope you’ve noticed Crane Tech has made a significant investment this past year in the educational content we share. The end goal is to provide knowledge so the industry can be safer; enabling employees to return to their families at the end of the day. (more…)

As a training company we understand that our own training is a key element to success. During the week of November 23, Crane Tech set aside three days to bring our trainers and staff together for meetings with the theme of Consistency and Quality are Key.
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