Tips For Heavy Lifting and Rigging Engineering

TIPS FOR HEAVY LIFTING AND RIGGING ENGINEERING
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http://www.maximumreach.com/Tips_March03.htm
Posted March 2003

This section contains tips and recommendations on heavy lifting and rigging engineering. I am a firm
believer that the better we communicate lessons learned, unique ideas and good rigging practices to
others, the safer the rigging industry will become. The material presented here has served me well during
the years I worked as a Crane Operator, Rigging Superintendent and Rigging Engineer. Readers are
encouraged to submit tips, suggestions, comments, recommendations, or requests for more information
about a certain item. Credit for tips or recommendations submitted will be given unless instructed not to. I
reserve editorial rights on what material will be used.
The following topics have been address so far. Others will be added as time allows or on special request.
The topics under CRANES and RIGGING ENGINEERING are in alphabetical order but the items with in
a topic are not. New items will be added to the bottom of a particular topic.
CRANES
INSPECTION:
MAINTENANCE:
OPERATION:
RIGGING ENGINEERING
ATTACHMENT DESIGN:
CRANE SET UP:
CRANE STUDIES:
DEADMEN:
GROUND BEARING PRESSURE:
HOOKS:
LIFTING:
MODELS:
TAILING A VERTICAL VESSEL:
TRANSPORTATION:
WORK HABITS:
INSPECTION:
1.
CRANE INSPECTION AND LOAD TEST PROCEDURE FOR
CONVENTIONAL CRAWLER AND TRUCK CRANES
Every crane should be subjected to two types of inspections:
a.
A maintenance inspection
b.
A safety and operational inspection
The maintenance inspection is geared more to preventative maintenance and identifying those
items requiring repairs that will prevent the crane from being in a like new condition or from
operating correctly, such as oxidized or cracking paint, sheet metal damage, track pad wear, track
roller wear, rubber tire wear, oil levels, oil changes, etc. The Equipment Superintendent or his
representative usually performs this inspection.
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The safety and operational inspection, on the other hand is more concerned with identifying those
items that will either stop a lift during the middle of an operation such as a worn sheave bearing
that could freezes to it's shaft or those items that could possibly lead to a component failure and an
accident such as a hoist line with broken wires or a bent boom lacing. For example, this inspection
would not be as concerned with tire wear because all lifts are required to take place on outriggers.
However, excessive tire wear would be noted on the inspection report.
Both inspections can be and sometimes are done by the same inspection party, but this procedure
is geared to the safety and operational inspection and assumes that someone else will complete the
maintenance inspection.
Cranes should be visually inspected by "a qualified person". A qualified person being someone
who by virtue of his education and experience is knowledgeable about cranes, crane maintenance
and rigging operations.
Cranes should be inspected per the crane manufactures recommendations and rigging procedures.
This means that the crane must be assembled with components specified by the manufacture and
using his assembly procedures.
Cranes should be visually inspected per good rigging practices and Industry standards.
Listed below are the most important items to inspect on a conventional crawler or truck crane and
some wear tolerances:
a.
Boom suspension line and end attachment devices.
1.
Check for broken, worn or crushed wire on the boom drum itself with the boom in
the horizontal and in the vertical at minimum radius where the heavy loads are
more likely to occur. Replace per ASME B30.5 or local standard.
2.
Check for lack of lubrication and indications of rust.
3.
Elongation of the pin holes in the end attachment devices such as open wedge
sockets and swage sockets should not be more than 1/8 " (3 mm). If the pins will
not turn freely, then it is an indication that the pin hole has elongated 1/8" (3 mm)
or more.
b.
Hoist line and end attachment device. Same criteria as 1 above
c.
Boom pendants and swage fittings. Same criteria as 1 above
1.
Broken wires will most usually occur right at the end of the swaged socket rather
than in the body of the pendant itself.
2.
Boom pendants should be opened up with a marlinspike and checked for proper
lubrication and/or rust between the strands and the core.
d.
Boom sections.
1.
Cords
a.
Must be straight within a tolerance of 1/8" in 10'
b.
Must be free from cuts, nicks and rust. A cut of 1/16" (1.5 mm) or more is
cause for rejection
c.
Must not be repaired by anyone other than the manufacture
d.
Must have the correct material for the connecting pins or bolts
2.
Lacings
a.
Must be straight within a tolerance of 1/8" in 5'
b.
Must be free from dings or gouges
c.
Must be made of material approved by the manufacture
e.
Welds must be free of cracks and rust
f.
Lacings and their welds must be replaced/repaired only by a factory
certified welder and procedure
Note: If there is any question in the inspectors mind whether a boom section meets the
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e.
f.
g.
requirements listed above, he should contact the Crane Manufacture for a clarification. As
the Crane Inspector, do not place your self in a position where you are approving an
inspection item that may well be a safety hazard. Qualified help is available.
Sheaves.
1.
Groves. The radius of the support area must not be less than 1/16" smaller than the
wire rope diameter to prevent pinching the wire rope, and must not be greater than
1/16" in order to provide 135 degrees of support for the wire rope
2.
Flanges must be continuous and free from structural damage
3.
Shafts, bearings and pins. The sheaves must roll freely by hand and have less than
1/16" play between the shaft and the bearing. If there is more play than the 1/16",
disassemble the sheave or sheave nest and check the bearings and pin. Replace
either the bearings or pin (or both) as required
Brakes and hoist clutches.
1.
A single part line with a load equal to the full safe working load of the hoist line will
test the adjustment and the capacity of the brakes and the hoist clutches.
Hooks
(for the load block and the overhaul ball on the jib)
1.
Hooks should be inspected and tested per ASME B30.10
It is recommended that the crane inspector take a systematic approach to inspecting cranes and do
it the same way every time. For example,
a.
Start the inspection by having the boom laid down in the horizontal with the boom tip and
jib tip on the ground.
b.
Start at the right side of the crane and inspect the hoist lines, boom, jib and pendants out to
the boom or jib point.
c.
Inspect the load block and the overhaul ball.
d.
Inspect the left side of the boom, pendants and hoist lines back to the crane.
e.
Inspect the hoist wire on the boom drum and the hoist drums for:
1. Wear, crushing, lubrication, etc
2. Spooling
f.
Inspect the gantry and boom stops.
g.
Inspect the counterweight.
h.
Inspect the brake drums and lining.
i.
Inspect the tracks and the car body.
j.
Have the boom raised until it is at minimum radius and check the boom kick out
mechanism. Do not lower the load block or overhaul ball at this time.
k.
Inspect the hoist wire on the boom drum with the boom at minimum radius.
l.
Inspect the hoist wire on the hoist drums as the load block and over haul ball are lower to
the ground. Check to make sure there is a minimum of 5 wraps on each drum when they
are at ground level.
m.
All deficiencies must be corrected at this point before going on to the next step .
n.
Lower the boom to about 50 degrees.
o.
Perform a long radius load test per the load test procedure a listed below
LOAD TEST
It is recommended that load test "a" be performed for each routine crane inspection and each time
the crane has been assembled. Load test "b" should be performed to verify any structural
modifications, repairs, and changes to the configuration of the crane. The load tests should be
conducted using certified or verifiable weights. The crane should be set up on crane mats or on a
firm surface for the load tests. These should also be full functional tests as the crane should be
checked to see that it will walk, swing, hoist up, hoist down, hold the load, boom up, and boom
down with a 100 % load, and to check all safety devices such as the vertical limit switches on the
hoist lines, the load moment kick out and the weight indicator, if applicable.
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"a"
A long radius load test (with the boom at approximately 50 degrees above horizontal)
using test weights equal to 100 % of the applicable capacity chart at the radius being used.
"b"
A minimum or short radius load test using weights equal to 100 % of the applicable
capacity chart at the radius being used.
After each load test, the boom and boom support system (including the gantry back legs, etc), all
wire rope and end terminations, and load blocks should again be thoroughly inspected for signs of
structural deformation. Freshly cracked paint is a good indicator of deformation.
MAINTENANCE:
1.
Adjustment of brake bands, clutch bands, etc should always be done according to the
manufacturers recommendations in the operators manual. The results of an adjustment are too
critical to guess at how to make them.
An example is the time I was assigned to a bridge project running a 60-ton Lima truck crane. The
previous operator on the Lima had told me that it wouldnt boom up with a heavy load so I
inspected the boom hoist clutch but, without an operators manual, I couldnt tell if it was adjusted
correctly or not. We first poured the footings and then started setting large gang forms to construct
the piers. As we were setting the large gang forms on the first pier, I boomed them carefully out
into place so that I wouldnt have to boom back up with the load. After all of the forms were set
and the concrete crew started pouring them with a pump, I took the boom hoist clutch out, filed off
the layer of grim on the lining and cleaned up the inside of the drum with solvent. I figured that
this would take care of the boom problem. But, when we were ready to strip the pier and the
carpenters hooked me up to the first heavy form, I couldnt boom it up. The newly filed hoist
clutch lining just slipped and squealed, so I had to resort to my trusty operators kit and throw some
powdered resin between the lining and the drum. I was able to boom up all of the gang forms from
the first pier and boom them back out into place on the second pier.
I then took the boom hoist clutch out and took it to the maintenance shop and had it relined with
the recommended lining. I figured that I now had the problem solved, but when I tried to boom up
with the first heavy gang form from the second pier, the clutch acted the same way as before. So,
again I resorted to powdered resin. After we set the forms for the third pier, I went to the master
mechanic in the home office maintenance shop and asked him if he had a copy of the operators
manual for the 60-ton Lima. He copied the pages on the adjustment of the boom hoist clutch for
me and off I went to check the actual adjustment.
As I was going through the adjustment check, everything checked out pretty well until I came to
the adjustment for the return spring on the rod for the air can. The adjustment in the book called
for the spring to be tightened until it was say 3 long. In measuring it, I found that it was tightened
until it was only 1.5 long. As soon as I saw this I knew that the return spring was tightened so
tight that it was overcoming most of the force from the air can that was required to seat the hoist
clutch lining. The spring should have been just tight enough to keep the lining from dragging on
the drum. I made the correct adjustment and waited with anticipation as the carpenters hooked me
up to the first gang form. I engage the boom hoist clutch at low throttle and with out any slipping
or squealing, the crane slowly boomed the form up out of the hole. This made a believer out of me;
always make adjustments per the operators manual.
2.
A lead crane operator should operate every crane on a project every two weeks or at least monthly
to confirm that the crane is in adjustment. Many times, inexperienced operators do not realize if a
crane is getting out or is actually out of adjustment. Cranes being out of adjustment for the work
involved can lead to a mishap or accident, i.e. when using a crane for a period of time doing
regular hook work and then using it to make a heavy lift without tightening up the brake bands,
hoist clutches, etc.
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1.
OPERATION:
How to still a load:
Some crane operators go through their whole working careers without learning how to properly
stop the motion of the hook or load after the crane has stopped swinging or booming. They seem
content to let it swing freely or until someone grabs a hold of the load and stops it for them. It is
the sign of a good crane operator when he knows how to control his load at all times. Especially
when it is quite easy to do so.
For example, a crane operator is pouring concrete. The operation includes picking up the bucket
full of concrete at the mixer truck and swinging it 90 degrees counterclockwise to the pour area. If
he swings slowly, then the bucket will stay pretty well under the hook during the circular journey
and he can spot the bucket in front of the dump man with little or no residual swinging in any
direction (assuming his pick up point and dump point are at the same radius).
Most concrete pours need to be completed as fast as possible, so typically the crane operator picks
up the bucket and swings as fast as he possibly can. A one-drum operator only performs one crane
function at a time, i.e. hoists, then swings, then booms, then lowers the bucket, etc. A good
operator will perform several functions at the same time, including hoisting, swinging and
booming.
Therefore, as the operator in this example is a multi-drum operator, he will start hoisting the bucket
and swinging at the same time. This results in the boom tip leading the bucket by several feet
during take off. As he increases his swinging speed, the boom tip will lead the bucket even more.
He will swing as fast as he can with out causing the bucket to swing out away from the crane due
to the centrifugal force. Just before he reaches the end of the swing arc, he will reverse his swing
clutches and slow the swinging of the crane until the momentum of the concrete bucket brings it
under the boom tip. As the bucket approaches the dump man, the operator applies more pressure
to the right swing clutch to stop the bucket (the right swing clutch is actually slipping against drum
flange as the crane is still swinging left). At this point, the boom tip is several feet behind the
bucket. As soon as the bucket is stopped in front of the dump man, the operator reverses the
swing clutches and swings the boom tip quickly to the left over the bucket and it is stilled, i.e. it
does not move side ways in relation to the boom.
If it swings in and out at this point due to excess centrifugal force, the operator merely waits until
it reaches the end of its swing arc in toward the crane and quickly booms up, bringing the tip of the
boom over the bucket and again it is stilled in this direction. If the operator can see that he
actually needs to boom down somewhat for the bucket to be in the correct position for the dump
man, he would wait for the bucket to reach the end of its swing arc away from the crane and then
boom down over the bucket. Again, this will stop any swinging to or away from the crane. As
everyone in rigging knows, the center of gravity of any load wants to hang under the boom tip. In
this example, when the bucket is hanging under the boom tip, it cant swing with out a horizontal
force of some kind acting on it.
If the dump point is at a larger radius than the pick up point, the operator will have to boom down
during or at the end of the 90-degree swing arc. This can make stilling the bucket even trickier,
but the operator would still the bucket using the same procedure as above.
If the pouring operation is being made in the blind, the signalman has to be the operators eyes. He
will have to anticipate the crane functions needed and give signals, either by radio or by hand, to
the operator in time for him to make them happen smoothly and safely. Operations are always
done slower in the blind. When ever possible, the operation should be set up so that the operator
can see the load at all times.
Some operators use a suck line when pouring concrete. A suck line is a hoist line running fairly
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2.
horizontal from the front drum on the crane out thru fairleads to a connector link located just
above the hook. This prevents the bucket from moving away from the crane and allows the
operator to swing at a much faster speed. At the end of the swing cycle, he only has to still the
bucket in one direction, which is side ways to the boom. A suck line also lets the operator change
the radius of the bucket almost instantaneously. He can start at the mixer truck with a low boom
angle and the bucket at say a 30 radius and during the swing arc let out on his suck line so that
with in a second, the bucket is at a 50 radius. He does this function with his feet so he can add
one more function to his multi-function list. In fact, if he is coordinated enough and his brakes are
smooth enough, he can actually let out on the suck line and the hoist line at the same time and let
the bucket sail freely thru the air. The tricky part is braking smooth enough so that he doesnt flip
concrete out of the bucket. Using a suck line to pour concrete can increase the quantity poured by
at least 50%. To use a suck line effectively, the crane must be located high enough that the suck
line clears all obstructions during swinging, i.e., forms, vertical embedded rebar, etc.
Swing operation for a standard lattice boom crane, crawler or truck crane:
All of the gears, sprockets, and shafts mounted on the equipment deck of the crane are called the
draw works. The horizontal reverse clutches located in the draw works are used to swing the
crane. Refer to the sketch below for the location of these clutches. The internal expanding bands
(swing clutches) are not shown for clarity and only the clutch drums are shown connected to shaft
No. 3. Shaft No. 3 is actually hollow and is made up of two sections. One section is connected to
pinion gear I and a clutch drum and the other section connects to pinion gear Jand the other
clutch drum. These two sections of shaft only rotate when the crane swings. A second shaft is
connected to sprocket C and runs thru both sections of shaft No. 3. The swing clutches are also
connected to this second shaft. This means that this shaft and both swing clutches are rotating
whenever the draw works are turning.
If the crane operator wants to swing to the left, he would move the swing lever until the left swing
clutch starts to bear against and slip on the drum flange closest to sprocket C. He would
continue to apply more pressure on the left swing clutch until less slippage occurres and the left
clutch drum starts to rotate, which in turn rotates pinion gear I and on down thru the power train
until the swing pinion R starts the crane swinging to the left. Note, as pinion gear I is turning
counterclockwise, pinion gear J is turning clockwise. As the crane starts to swing faster, the
operator would only keep enough pressure on the left swing clutch to keep the crane swinging at
the speed he want to maintain. Note, that very seldom, does the operator actually apply enough
pressure on a swing clutch to lock it to the drum flange. Most of the time, the swing clutches slip
against the drum flanges to get the desired swing action. If he centers the swing lever, neither
swing clutch is in contact with a drum flange and the crane would then just be coastingon its
own. To stop the crane from swinging left, the operator would move the swing lever in the
opposite direction and apply enough pressure with the right swing clutch until it slowly brings the
crane to a stop. If the operator then wants to swing to the right, he would continue keeping
pressure with the right swing clutch until the crane starts to slowly swing right. The main purpose
of the above narrative is to show that swinging a crane is accomplished by playing one swing
clutch against the other by slipping them against the appropriate drum flange. The swing clutches
are never applied hard enough to stop the crane suddenly as this would side load the boom, rather
the crane is always brought to a gentle stop before reversing it in the opposite direction.
Hydraulic cranes do not have horizontal reverse clutches; instead they swing by means of
hydraulic swing motors hooked directly to swing pinions similar to R. Some hydraulic cranes
are set up so that they will coast when the swing lever is centered. Most hydraulic cranes will not
coast and to swing, the operator meters oil thru the hydraulic motors one way or the other. When
the operator stops metering oil thru the hydraulic motors, they stops turning. Therefore, he has to
be very gentle as he stops the flow of oil to the motors to keep from side loading the boom.
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ATTACHMENT DESIGN:
1.
A safety factor of 1.8 is recommended for lifting attachment design. By using this factor and using
the AISC allowables for stresses, the design will conform to ASME B30.20, Below the hook
lifting devices.
2.
Lug design for any lifting attachment must conform to AISCs Part 5, specifications and codes,
sections on pin-connected plates and eyebars.
3.
A minimum safety factor of 1.25 should be used in analyzing vessel shell, skirt and basering
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4.
5.
6.
7.
stresses due to lifting forces.

The allowable bending stress used in analyzing the above vessel stresses should not exceed
.75*Fy.
In some cases, it is easier to initially draw a design to scale and show it the way it is supposed to
look or fit up, and then go back and check it mathematically to ensure that it will work.
The design of some lifting attachments, especially like a long spreader bar, should be limited by the
amount of deflection involved and not just the stresses involved. A long spreader bar can be
designed so that it is structurally sound but have visible deflection at the middle. In order to have
the erection crew feel comfortable with using the bar, the design should limit the deflection so that
it cannot be seen, even though the stresses may be very low.
Over the years, in checking spreader bars designed with lugs top and bottom, it has been found
that in most cases the designers do not understand how to design them with the least amount of
bending, and the field is even worse in using them. And yet, most of the spreader bars in use to day
by the average contractor is this type of bar. This type of bar is show in the sketch below.
To illustrate how critical the design is, take the example of an 18" dia x 32 STD wall pipe spreader
bar with the CG of the load at the center of the bar. The top lugs are not centered over the bottom
lugs but are each 171.34 from the CG while each bottom lug is 180 from the CG. The centerline
of the top lugs is 15 from the centerline of the bar. With these dimensions, and with the top slings
at a 60 degree angle with the horizontal, the line of force from the slings intersects the centerline of
the bar exactly over the bottom lugs. Therefore, the bar will have zero bending from the influence
of the slings. This bar will carry a 600 kip load based on a combined unity stress check of 1.0. If
slings at 55 degrees are used, this bar will only handle a 325 kip load. If slings at 70 degrees are
used, this bar will only handle a 440 kip load.
If the top lifting lugs were originally located directly over the bottom lifting lugs, and with the
slings at 60 degrees, this bar will only handle a 155 kip load.
Therefore, it can be seen that if this type of bar is used, that it should be designed for zero moment
due to the influence of the slings, and a sling angle of 60 degrees is recommended. Using the bar
with slings that produce sling angles greater or lesser than 60 degrees should be done only after a
through design check has been made. As a last comment, the top lugs should never be located
directly over the bottom lugs if the design is to achieve maximum capacity of the spreader bar.
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CRANE SET UP:

1.
Crane Leveling Procedure
a.
Layout the crane mats on the lift pad constructed per the steps in the lift pad construction.
b.
Walk the crane upon the mats and if possible, swing the counterweight around several
times.
c.
Using a four-foot carpenters level, check the level in both the longitudinal and transverse
directions. Check the transverse direction by placing the carpenters level on the machinery
deck between the boom foot pins. The bubble in the carpenters level should be fairly well
centered between the marks, and not more than 1/8 out of level.
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d.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
If the crane is out of level more than 1/8 in four feet, walk the crane back off the mats and
place plywood under the track areas as required.
e.
Walk the crane back upon the mats and recheck the level.
Crane Lift Pad Construction
In general, the lift pad under the crane mats should be constructed to the following requirements:
a.
A levelness of in 30 ft.
b.
The lift pad should extend 3 feet outside the crane mats in all directions.
c.
Any down slopes connected to the lift pad should be at a 2:1 (Horizontal: Vertical) slope or
flatter.
d.
The lift pad should be constructed so that it is well drained.
e.
The lift pad should be constructed to the required soil bearing capacity.
Crane Mats
It is recommended that crane mats be used under the tracks of the crane for the following
conditions:
a.
When the soil bearing pressure under the crane tracks exceeds the allowable soil bearing
pressure.
b.
When the load is greater than 75 % of the lifting capacity of the lift crane, even if the
allowable soil bearing pressure is greater than the actual soil bearing pressure under the
tracks.
c.
When the load is greater than 60 % of the lifting capacity of the tail crane, even if the
allowable soil bearing pressure is greater than the actual soil bearing pressure under the
tracks.
The top layer of crane mats should be laid out perpendicular to the crane tracks.
The crane mats should be placed as close to each other as possible. Do not leave gaps between the
crane mats and then fill the gaps with gravel.
The effective length of the crane mats extending past the ends of the tracks must be used in
determining the crane mat requirements for the lift. Consult a Rigging Engineer if necessary.
Crane mats or wooden blocking used under the floats of truck cranes should have an area that is at
least four times larger than the area of the floats. This mat area should be used over soil or
concrete. For cranes larger than 100 tons, a soil bearing study should be made to ensure that the
correct area of crane mats is used for the allowable soil bearing of the lift pad. This is especially
true for capacity lifts.
Blocking tumblers.
To correctly block the idler tumblers (the front tumblers), steel plate or hardwood blocking should
be placed directly under the centerline of the idler tumblers and in a thickness recommended by
the crane manufacturer. See the Manitowoc Engineering sketch below showing the correct
location for blocking. The thickness of the blocking should range from about 1/2" to 1-3/8",
depending on the crane manufacturer. The blocking width should be a maximum of 24" so it will
not extend back under the front rollers. The length of the blocking should be equal to the width of
the shoes + 12" (for a 6" extension either side of the track).
The following procedure should be used to block the idler tumblers:
a.
Lay crane mats transverse to the tracks.
b.
Walk the crane upon the mats until it is within the set radius for the lift
c.
Set the travel locks on the crane
d.
Walk the crane back against the travel locks
e.
Check the radius to make sure the crane is still within the set radius
f.
Mark the location of the centerline of the idler tumblers on the crane mats
g.
Walk the crane slightly forward until the travel locks can be disengaged
h.
Walk the crane backward about 5 feet
i.
Place the steel plate or hard wood blocking on the crane mats. Center the
blocking so that there is 12" either side of the idler tumbler centerline mark on the
crane mats.
j.
Walk the crane forward until the centerline of the idler tumblers is a few
inches past the centerline of the blocking on the mats.
k.
Engage the travel locks.
l.
Walk the crane back against the travel locks.
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m.
n.
o.
At this point, the centerline of the idler tumblers and the centerline of the
blocking should coincide.
Recheck the radius
Make the lift.
Comments on blocking tumblers.

a.
To correctly block the idler tumblers, the crane must be on mats, concrete, etc. The
tumblers cannot be blocked by placing the blocking on soil, as the supporting surface must
be strong enough to transfer the fulcrum point from the center of the front rollers to the
center of the idler tumblers.
b.
A certified blocked tumbler lifting capacity chart must be used when lifting with the
tumblers blocked to get additional capacity above the regular lifting capacity chart.
Otherwise, use blocked tumblers when lifting with a regular lifting capacity chart to
provide added safety, not to increase the lifting capacity.
c.
Remember that the lifting swing range for blocked tumbler ratings is over the front of the
tracks and within a projected centerline from each track.
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CRANE STUDIES:
1.
When doing a preliminary crane study, especially for a heavy lift, the following guidelines should
be followed:
a.
Use a maximum of 80% of lifting capacity chart for the crane being considered.
Equipment to be erected has a habit of getting larger and heavier as it is being fabricated in
the shop. Using 80% will provide some reserve capacity, just in case of growth.
b.
In the elevation view of the crane study, use two (2) feet of clearance between the bottom
of the boom and the spreader bar, the load, etc.
c.
In the elevation view of the crane study, use five (5) feet of vertical clearance between the
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2.
bottom of the load and the anchor bolts or support structure.

Using the design parameters above will provide some reserve capacity and clearances as the actual
weight and size of the load and the plot plan are being finalized.
Design parameters for final design of an Engineered lift:
a.
In general, use a maximum of 95% of the lifting capacity chart of the crane. For a lift to be
made at 100% of the lifting capacity chart, the following factors must be considered:
1.
The weight of the load must be know to +/- .5 %
2.
The soil bearing pressure from the lift must be lower than the allowable soil bearing
of the soil under the crane mats or concrete lift pad.
3.
The crane must be set up solid and level.
4.
The weather conditions must be clear and calm.
5.
The lift must be made very slowly without any impact.
b.
Use a minimum of one (1) foot of clearance between the boom and spreader bar, load, etc.
c.
Use a minimum of three (3) feet of vertical clearance between the bottom of the load and
the anchor bolts or support structure.
DEADMEN:
1.
Buried deadmen should be used when every possible as they are much safer than deadmen used on
top of the ground. For example, using a coefficient of friction between concrete and dry soil for
sliding can quickly be reduced to a coefficient of friction some where between concrete and ice if
the weather turns cold or rainy. Also, an impact loading can move a deadman when it exceeds the
sliding safety factor. If properly designed and backfilled, a buried deadman should never move
more than an 1/8 to .
2.
Example of a deadman design:

a.
Maximum tension in the guywire = 76 kips
b.
Slope of the guywire = 20 degrees
c.
Use a safety factor = 1.5
d.
Use a line of action of the guywire force through the center of pressure
e.
Use 350-lbs/cu ft for equivalent fluid density (EFD) from the soils report
f.
Fp = force from the passive earth pressure acting at 1/3 of the way from the base of the
triangle
g.
Water table is at grade.
h.
Fb = buoyancy force
i.
Neglect the one-foot of over burden
j.
Neglect sliding friction between the deadman and the ground
k.
Neglect negative pressure on the bottom and back face of the deadman
l.
Assume a deadman 8 wide (w) x 8 high (h) x 11 long (L)
Refer to the sketch below:
R = 76* 1.5 = 114 kips

V = 38.99 kips
H = 107.12 kips
E = 8/3 = 2.67
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Check horizontal movement (sliding):

Resisting force Fp = EFD*L*h^2/2 = (350 lbs/ft^3)*11*8^2/2 =123.20 kips
123.20 kips > 107.12 kips
GOOD
Check up lift:
Up lift force = V + Fb = 38.99 kips + 8*8*11*62.40 lbs/ft^3 = 82.92 kips
Resisting concrete weight CW = 8*8*11*150 lbs/ft^3 = 105.60 kips
105.60 kips > 82.82 kips
GOOD
Check overturning at point A:

Overturning moment = (Fb + V)*w/2 + H*E =
= 82.92*4 + 107.12*2.67 = 617.69 kip-ft
Resisting moment = Fp*E + 105.60*w/2 = 123.30*2.67 + 105.60*4 = 751.61 kips
751.61 kip-ft > 617.69 kip-ft GOOD
Summary:
The 8wide x 8 high x 11 long deadman is adequate for a guyline tension of 76 kips where
the water table is at grade or ground level.
GROUND BEARING PRESSURE:

1.
Ground bearing capacity boils down to a matter of how much settlement can be tolerated for a lift
and/or how much money it takes to make the risk acceptable, i.e. if you wanted to be extremely
safe, a reinforced concrete lift pad complete with piles could be constructed at a huge cost. As an
alternative, the lift pad could be constructed of crushed rock overlaid with crane mats at a much
cheaper cost. The reinforced concrete pad could be design to have negligible settlement and the
crushed rock and crane mat pad could be designed for acceptable settlements of say .5. If the lift
was directly over the front of the crane so that both tracks settled .5, then the settlement would
not be a problem as the boom would not be side loaded. If the lift included picking and swinging
90 degrees, and the .5 of settlement followed the lift around, again the settlement would not be a
problem.
The problem with settlement is when it is differential settlement. This causes side loading on the
boom and also impairs the smooth operation of the crane by having to swing up hill, etc.
Therefore, in most cases, the lift pad has to be designed so that differential settlement is minimal.
This doesnt mean using reinforced concrete lift pads either. It can usually be done with improving
the strength of the lift pad with crushed rock or limestone and using crane mats over it.
If the ground bearing capacity of the lift pad is slightly below the ground bearing pressure caused
by the lift, a failure of the soil will not occur, just settlement. For example, consider a lift with a
ground bearing pressure of 5,000 psf being made on a lift pad with a ground bearing capacity of
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say 4,000 psf. In this case, the lift pad will settle until it picks up the required bearing area to
support 5,000 psf and then the settlement will stop. This is usually what happens and nobody
realizes that the settlement has taken place, even if it causes some differential settlement with
some side loading of the boom. That is unless it settles far enough to cause an accident.
So, in summation, ground-bearing capacity is really a matter of how much settlement can be
tolerated and if any differential settlement can be allowed.
2.
Figure 10-4 below shows some bearing values that can be used as guidelines when estimating the
bearing strength of a lift pad or the surrounding soil. Be very conservative in using the table, i.e. if
the lift pad and the subsoil are made of firm sandy gravel; choose class 6 with a bearing value of
8,000 psf instead of class 5 with 10,000 psf. Whenever in doubt or for a very critical lift, dont
guess. Have the owner provide an allowable ground bearing capacity for the lift pad or sub soil.
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HOOKS:
1.
Load block hooks up to and including 250 ton capacity, should be completely disassembled from
the load blocks, thoroughly inspected, and repaired as required to bring them and any component
parts back to a like new condition. This should be done at least every five years.
2.
Overhaul ball hooks should be completely disassembled from the overhaul balls, thoroughly
inspected, and repaired as required to bring them and any component parts back to a like new
condition. This should be done at least every other year.
3.
FOR ENGINEERED LIFTS ONLY, Crosby now allows three (3) slings and four (4) slings to be
collected in the bowl of a Crosby Shank Hook with the following restrictions: (Refer to the sketch
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below for a graphic illustration of the sling configurations)

a.
All legs must be collected within 30 degrees either side of the centerline of the hook bowl
as illustrated in Figure 1 and 2 of the sketch.
b.
For Three (3) Leg Slings:
1.
The vertical plane * of the hook should be parallel with the plane of the sheaves
2.
The horizontal sling angle of the legs must be 60 degrees or greater
3.
The single leg must be on the point side, and the double legs on the backside of the
hook throat
4.
The sum of the vertical components must not exceed the WLL of the system and/or
the hook
5.
The included angle between the sling legs must be 120 degrees as shown in the top
view of Figure 1
c.
For Four (4) Leg Slings:
1.
All legs must be loaded equally with symmetrical angles about the vertical
centerline of the hook
2.
The sum of the vertical components must not exceed the WLL of the system or the
hook
3.
The horizontal sling angle of the legs must be 60 degrees or greater
d.
All other loading conditions must be analyzed by a qualified person, and the WLL reduced
such that the combined hook shank stresses (bending & tensile) do not exceed the original
shank tensile stress at the rated WLL
* The vertical plane bisects the hook through the centerline of the shank and point
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4.
When every possible, the hook should be locked to the load block to prevent twisting up of the
hoist lines during lifting. Attach taglines to the load to control rotation. If the orientation of the
load to the boom at the initial pick position (IPP) is not the same as at the set position, a quarter
back twist or forward twist of the hoist lines might be necessary to prevent scrubbing of the lines
during load lowering.
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LIFTING:
1.
I feel that the most important factors for making a safe lift are:
a.
Determine a conservative weight of the load. Include applicable weights of the jib, load
block, overhaul ball, hoist line, rigging gear, etc.
b.
Set the crane up solid and level.
c.
Stay within the lifting capacity chart of the crane for the configuration being used.
d.
Lift only in weather conditions recommended by the crane manufacture.
e.
Always be conservative and do not reduce the planned safety factor of the lift. Always
allow for the unexpected.
Other considerations for making a safe lift are:
a.
Hold a prelift meeting with everyone involved in the lift, including safety representatives
and client representatives.
b.
Review the checklist for the lift.
c.
Explain the duties of each member of the crew, i.e. who is in charge of the lift, who signals
the lift, etc.
d.
Decide on the method of communication, either visual hand signals or radio controlled, etc.
e.
Inspect the rigging prior to the lift for damage and fit up.
f.
Inspect all lifting attachments prior to the lift to ensure that they have been fabricated and
connected to the load per the designers drawings.
g.
Use sling softeners between the slings and any sharp radii of the load.
h.
Use tag lines to control the load and keep workers away from the load. No one should
touch the load until it has been centered over and just above the anchor bolts or support,
and where applicable, has been secured against horizontal and vertical movement.
i.
Use a tape measure to layout the radius for the crane, do not step it off or use the boom
angle indicator. The boom angle indicator should only be used as a reference.
j.
Make a dry run without the load to ensure the lift pad is level and there is adequate
clearance between the counterweight, the boom and adjacent structures.
k.
Watch for boom draw down as the crane takes the load. Boom draw down increase the
radius of the crane and can result in the load drifting away from the crane. Boom up as
required to maintain the planned lift radius before floating the load.
l.
On critical lifts, such as upending a long heavy vertical vessel, use survey equipment to
track the boom tip through out the lift. Once the vessel is being upended, it is hard to tell
just by visually looking to know if the boom tip is at the planned radius. As the crane takes
more and more of the weight of the vessel, the operator can be directed to boom up as
desired to maintain the planned radius.
m.
Use tie back lines at initial pick between the crane and the load to prevent the load from
drifting away from the crane, especially of capacity lifts where an increase in radius cannot
be tolerated.
n.
Use caution when the lifting operation includes swinging with a load, especially 180
degrees. If the crane is not level and swinging starts on the high side with the load
positioned at a certain radius, the radius will increase as the load swings to the low side of
the crane, possibly exceeding the maximum radius for the lift.
o.
Instruct the operator to engage the boom dog and release it only when booming down is
required.
p.
Instruct the operator to leave the house swing brake and/or lock off during lifting.
q.
When working with crawler cranes, added safety can be obtained by making all lifts over
the front of the tracks with the tumblers blocked. As the crane takes the weight of the
load, a qualified person, either the crane oiler or rigger, should constantly monitor the track
rollers on the counterweight side of the crane. If daylight occurs between the bottom of
the rollers and the top of the track shoes, or settlement occurs under the load side of the
tracks, the lift should be stopped and the lift conditions checked as tipping may be
starting
r.
A qualified person, either the crane oiler or rigger should constantly monitor the outriggers
as the truck crane takes the load. If daylight occurs between the top of the outrigger beams
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and the outrigger housing on the counterweight side of the crane or settlement occurs under
the outriggers on the load side of the crane, the lift should be stopped and the lift conditions
checked as tipping may be starting.
s.
A qualified person, either the crane oiler or rigger should constantly monitor the position of
the load block during the lift by standing directly behind the lattice boom crane and looking
through the center of the boom, or by standing behind and sighting on both sides of a
hydraulic crane boom. If the load block is not centered in the boom, the lift should be
stopped and lift conditions checked as the boom is being side loaded.
t.
Whenever possible, make a dry run with the load just clearing the ground. Swing the load
over the side, for example, and boom it out into a clear area to the actual set radius. Check
the stability of the crane at the set radius, boom the load into minimum radius, swing to the
set angle over the rear of the crane, boom out and set the load.
u.
Do not make any lift in winds that exceed the manufacturers recommendations.
v.
If the crane is working at minimum radius, boom down before releasing all the load weight.
Failure to do so will result in bent boom stops and/or a bent boom as the stretch comes out
of the boom pendants.
The above list is not all-inclusive, but contains the most important elements needed to make a safe
lift. The rigging supervisor and the rigging crew should also follow all good rigging practices and
industry standards.
MODELS:
1.
Models are very useful for determining how a load will react during lifting. The model doesnt
have to look exactly like the load being lifted; it only needs to be to some scale with the weight,
the location of the lifting points and the location of the center of gravity in proportion to the actual
load.
A photo of a model of Quiz No. 1 is shown below. Note that all that was required was a two foot
piece of wood, two pieces of bicycle chain and sprockets, a 1.5 nipple, a bolt, a nut, some
washers and some string.
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TAILING A VERTICAL VESSEL:

1.
For maximum safety during a tailing operation, the boom on the tail crane should be as short as
possible. Many contractors try to get multi-use out of a crane, without changing the boom. The
small expense of shortening the boom for a tailing operation and then lengthen it again is worth the
added safety achieved.
2.
Do not use a jib on the tail crane during a tailing operation. It is hard to keep the jib mast or the jib
itself from interfering with platforms, etc.
3.
Vertical vessels that do not have tail lugs for up ending will have to be erected using a tail sling(s).
There is some risk in this operation if the tail sling is not rigged properly around the skirt or bottom
of the vessel. The correct procedure is:
a.
Refer to the sketch at the bottom of this item and select the recommended timber blocking
size for the diameter of the vessel being erected, i.e. for a 4' diameter vessel, use four- 4" x
4" x 6' hard wood blocks.
b.
Position the four blocks on the skirt of the vessel as shown and secure them with two
tirfors or come-alongs.
c.
Attach the tail sling to the hook on the tail crane.
d.
Center the hook and tail sling over the vessel about 2' from the base plate.
e.
Wrap the tail sling around the skirt and connect it as shown with the appropriate shackle.
f.
Before tightening up the tail sling, rotate the sling (clockwise as viewed on the sketch)
around the skirt about 6". This will move the shackle off center and force it and the sling
to bite down on to the timbers as the sling is being tightened up.
g.
Snug up on the tail sling. If the tail sling is not centered over the vessel, slack off on the
sling and repeat step f.
h.
Hammer the shackle down as far as it will go until it rests on the timbers.
i.
Slowly hoist until the crane has about 50 % of the tail load. If the sling and shackle are
snug down against the timbers and the sling is centered over the skirt, the bottom of the
vessel is ready to be lifted.
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Note! If the sling and shackle are snug down against the timbers, it is nearly impossible for the
sling to slip or ride up as the vessel is being up ended. In order for the sling to ride up on the skirt,
the circumferential length of the sling around the skirt would have to increase. Under load, this is
impossible. The friction between the sling /wood and the skirt provides a resisting force that is
greater than necessary to prevent slippage of the sling.
4.
Do not tail a vessel by placing a choker on a cone section. The sling will slip to the small diameter
of the cone during lifting, possibly damaging the sling and/or flange.
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TRANSPORTATION:
1.
Transportation drawings should show the stability of the trailer and load for both tipping and
structural. Calculations should be furnished that back up the above information. Allowable
tipping should be calculated on a 5:1 safety factor. This is applicable to platform trailers and
lowboys.
2.
Transportation drawings for platform trailers should show how the hydraulic cylinders are
plumbed, i.e., in a three-point suspension or in a four-point suspension.
WORK HABITS:
1.
Work habits that have served me well during my career:
a.
Carrying a notebook and keeping a to do list. Prioritizing it daily
b.
Carrying a small tape measure and a piece of soap stone to the field
c.
Keeping only one design job on my desk at a time
d.
Breaking each job down and getting the long term items started first, so the job will come
together as efficiently as possible
e.
Always starting work on time. You can start work early, you can stay late, but people will
always know if you are running late
f.
Knowing that hindsight is always 20-20. Learning from my mistakes and then moving on,
not dwelling on the mistakes
g.
Keeping my employees from making the big mistakes, but letting them make the little ones
by themselves, so they can learn and progress
h.
Letting my employees know that if anything goes wrong, I will take the blame and when
things go well, everybody will share the credit
i.
Being loyal to the company and being honest. Never accepting more than a dinner from a
Vendor
j.
Being passionate about by work. I never had a day that I didnt enjoy going to work.
2015/01/01 09:27 .

Tips For Heavy Lifting and Rigging Engineering

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TIPS FOR HEAVY LIFTING AND RIGGING ENGINEERING

Posted March 2003