crane question

[ipkyss]

I have looked into the difference between out and down outrigggers and the A- frame type units. What I can not find any info on is the X- style. I am looking at a 28 ton X style outrigger truck. The outrigger spread is much less than the comparable out and down set up. The chart still seems fairly strong. It seems like it would be great for tight yards. Are there any downsides?

 

[classictruckman]

The down side is they are a fixed length, whereas the out and downs are not you can keep one side at mid-span or fully retracted if you have a tight setup and don't need to swing over that side.

Other than that there really is no downside to an x style outrigger setup, they have a true 360* chart, you can still carry a load and you can get a cab on some of them.

 

[Courierguy]

Once you get used to the versatility of the out and down type, it'd be hard to go back to anything else. I would take the X type over the A frame type however.

 

[MarquisTree]

What type of crane are u looking at with the Xstyle?

 

[classictruckman]

He's propably looking at a 28ton Manitex or an older Pioneer.

 

[treevet]

[ QUOTE ]
Once you get used to the versatility of the out and down type, it'd be hard to go back to anything else. I would take the X type over the A frame type however.

[/ QUOTE ]

Why is that?

Do you do tree work?

 

[Courierguy]

No, I do NOT do tree work, just crane work....

But, the out and downs allow you to get in tighter areas and short jack one side (not go out, or maybe just halfway out, before going down) and go ALL the way out and down on the side you will obviously be working on. It is up to you to remember not to swing over your short jacked side.

I use this feature at least once a week, just the other day setting a lap pool on a deck, I had to set up in a driveway to narrow for my full span outriggers, short jacking one side made it doable. You also need to keep in mind the load chart is no doubt based on the counterweight action of the opposite side outriggers, so take that into account if you plan to go over 85% or so of capacity, I've never been able to feel the difference and have to think the counterweight effect is pretty minor.

Also keep in mind according to OSHA, this is all verboten, can't do it, not safe etc. so use your own judgement there. I think it falls under the "lesser of two evils" provision. A lot of the OSHA rules CAN be gotten around sometimes if a "qualified person" determines it is a lesser hazard to do something normally not allowed. Not using a tag line on a suspended load IF it's more hassle/dangerous then using one is one good example.

 

[MarquisTree]

You also need to keep in mind the load chart is no doubt based on the counterweight action of the opposite side outriggers, so take that into account if you plan to go over 85% or so of capacity, I've never been able to feel the difference and have to think the counterweight effect is pretty minor.


[/ QUOTE ]

I always thought that but. In the case of an Altec the position of the out riggers opposite from the work have no affect on stability. (I talked with a group of engineers at the factory when they built my crane)
I ran an older terex T340 and on the load chart it said the same thing.