New LMI without boom cable.

[pctree]

OK just a quick thought. What would you guys think it would be worth if somebody came up with a replacement LMI with wireless A2B wireless boom extension measurements and hooked into existing pressure transducers to figure load.

Just askin

 

[Lumberjack]

Aren't there already wireless options?

 

[flyingsquirrel25]

Yes there are wireless options already. The Crane service I hire uses them on all 5 of their cranes (soon to be 6). How exactly it all works I'm not sure but there is a small antenna receiver at the tip attached to the A2B. Its great not worrying about snagging the wire on brush or trees.

 

[treevet]

If more reasonable cost then it would be marketable. The setup is very expensive from CraneSmart.

As for the anti 2B...My issue with the replacement is that it is an audible warning and my concern is hearing it while running the Comm headsets. Better off the movement is stopped and keep the wire imo.

 

[pctree]

Crane Smart still uses a cable to measure boom length if you are using their full lmi system. Think its about 4500 for just a wireless load cell that tells you in the cab what you have on the cable but that is it, no radius etc you have to figure that out. Im trying to figure out a system that measures the boom length and angle without the cable, has a A2B and utilizes existing pressure transducers on the lift cylinder and computes all the variables and displays on an easy to see and use touch screen. Hopefully we will be able to activate the lockout to stop undesirable functions if a hazardous situation ocures but that remains to be seen.

So what is a reasonable price for the system??

 

[treevet]

Friend of mine is way more capable of giving you some help. I will see if I can get him into this.

 

[dbl612]

wireless a2b systems are not new. as you have mentioned cranesmart makes a rugged, reliable unit. PAT makes a retrofit wireless a2b system for use with their existing LMI systems that is extremely reliable. you can continue using your full LMI functions including length measurement by replacing the spaggetti wire from cable reel to boom tip with 1/8" stainless steel aircraft cable. although you still have a cable going up the boom, it will take incredible abuse caused by limbs slamming into it, yet you have a reliable length measurement device so the LMI remains accurate. manufacturers have experimented at length using laser measuring devices but although they have evolved in to items of great accuracy, tree limbs and foul weather operation can affect their operation by blocking the laser beam. same problem the military has with lasers in target acquisition and "painting" with missiles.

 

[treevet]

He puts stuff up here then disappears back to THouse...oh well.

 

[dbl612]

what is this THouse of which you speak?

 

[treevet]

 

[classictruckman]

If you're feeling like doing some work, you could build a pulley to redirect the A2B cable at the boom heel and run it through the boom. You'll get rid of the issues of branches catching the boom and avoid the issues of a wireless A2B.

 

[pctree]

Classic now there's an idea.

I was considering measuring boom length with either laser or Bluetooth
Seems to me with the huge bounds being made with electronics this should be an easy project but it comes down to how long to recoup your investment and your exposure to litigation. I've been quoted 8-12K to write the program. Just in the "thinking" phase

 

[treevet]

"exposure to litigation" ...been there done that I guess...Wraptor