This is a view from the cab of a 60 ton rough terrain crane.
The boom is in the center. The block is behind the large structural girder.
Here's another view. The blocks are in the center; to the left of the man in the harness.
This is a view from the operator seat. (Yeah. That's a picture of my leg, for the ladies for reference) The computer is in the upper right hand corner.
This is a better photo of the computer. The readings are 77.4 feet of boom extended, the boom angle is 55.9 degrees and the load radius is 39.5 feet. Total weight on the block is 4000 lbs and the maximum weight for the line configuration (single whip line) is 12,300 lbs.
I can't take pictures of the controls because they're joystick controls on the right and left. Alternate controls for the boom lift and boom extension are on the floor with the accelerator and brake pedal.
So, if you've been wondering where I've been, there you are.
I'll bet you that 99.9999% of the people at those OWS things don't know that the cab of a crane has computers and stuff like that in it and think that crane operators are all like Fred Flintstone, yanking on bone levers and and stuff.
ReplyDeleteI won't take that bet. The odds are 99 to 1 in your favor.
ReplyDeleteIn the past, any dummy could turn a crane over. Now, only educated dummies, with certifications, are allowed to turn them over.
Hah! That setup is just a leeeetle bit bigger and more sophisticated than the Cormach knuckle boom crane I run!
ReplyDeleteI've run just about every crane, including boom trucks, carry decks, cherry pickers and swing cab cranes. They're all the same in most respects; even the small cranes will kill you, or somebody else.
ReplyDeleteIn the past, you learned like I did: climb up in the cab and learn the controls. Start with something small and then try the bigger stuff. Today, most places require some type of certification and in 2014 all operators will be required to have a nationally accepted certification.
What's ironic is that most cranes now have so many safeties, you damn near have to go out of your way to have an accident. In the past, when I was learning, it wasn't uncommon to have the back outrigger get real light and come off the ground. You learned the feel of your machine and had a good working knowledge of what it could, or could not, handle.