This is an excellent perspective for an operator to determine the crane’s reach up and over obstructions.

The crane’s range diagram is generally a part of the load chart decaling, or in the capacity chart notebook.

They site opted to use the smaller diameter wire rope for the crane and unwittingly reduced the maximum lift capacity of the crane by 1/3.

During a project in Nigeria, I worked with a few cranes that could accept different sizes of hoist rope for the main hoist. If the hoist rope specification changes, the lifting capacity can be affected, generally downward. The crane’s load chart generally references the “reeving” (parts-of-line) capacity in conjunction with the wire rope as specified by the crane manufacturer.The more sophisticated the boom configuration, the more adept the operator needs to be to ensure proper agreement between the on-board LMI dash-mounted computer and the actual crane setup. Special lift capacity columns are often available to the operator which indicates “manual or power-pinned fly” and a whole new crop of cranes provide capacity information based on multiple sections extended 46%-50% out to 100% so a designated column may read base, 46%, 46%, 100%, 100%. On hydraulic cranes the capacity can vary greatly based on which telescoping sections are deployed.Secondly, the gross load rating charts are affected by the crane “footprint” such as on- tires stationary, on-tires pick/carry, outriggers extended 0/50/100%, and crawlers retracted/extended to name a few.Initially, the gross load rating charts are based on a combination of crane components in place, such as counterweights by number and location on the crane, jibs stowed/erected, number of boom section (lattice inserts), hooks blocks and the like.

Concerning mobile crane load charts we would want their folks to realize: Blended with the training would be informational blocks concerning the manufacturer’s requirements and “best practices” for the cranes in their fleet. Certainly we would make sure they are compliant with the state OSHA, federal OSHA requirements and the ASME B30.5 Mobile Crane standards. ITI is glad to work with organizations like this to conduct mobile crane operator training since they have a desire to upgrade their employees’ skill and knowledge levels and have chosen our company to get them “on-track”. Typically the operators did not attend a union apprenticeship program, and has simply gained knowledge about cranes from an in-house process, sometimes rather hand-me-down. We still get invited to work with new clients who have a small fleet of mobile cranes and a permanent crane operator crew.

Crane lifting chart