New mobile crane hire and rigging company, Vamp Cranes in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, recently welcomed its first TIDD Pick and Carry Crane. With their second one being delivered in July 2022. The new TIDD is based at Levenswell road, Moorabbin in Melbourne.
The new Franna lift planner provides customers with a simple tool to complete lift assessments, enabling more efficient planning and encouraging safer practices around the job site.
LSM Technologies wants to bring into focus the importance of Tyre Monitoring Systems and their TyreGuard for heavy vehicles within Australian industry and especially the crane sector.
LSM (life saving mitigation) Technologies market a complete range of Tyre Monitoring System (TMS) for any vehicle / machine with pneumatic tyres and Peter Woodford, Engineering Director and CEO explains how a robust TMS is a proven mitigation control that can both predict and prevent potentially catastrophic events occurring on all heavy vehicles- and specifically cranes.
“There are two types of cranes to be considered where tyres can suffer differing (and the same) modes of failure, these are larger mobile all terrain heavy lift cranes and articulated pick & carry cranes” said Woodford.
“Larger mobile all terrain cranes are used in stationary lifts and utilise outriggers for crane stability. Tyre failures are therefore usually related to traveling at higher speeds on open roads where the tyres can be subjected to pyrolysis resulting in wheel well fires, tyre explosions and blow outs.”
“Apart from external reasons such as an electrical hazards, (eg. overhead power lines, electrical storm strikes), the most common causes of pyrolysis are:
“Enormous amounts of energy can be released by a tyre explosion, often leading to significant equipment damage, serious injuries or fatalities, especially when travelling at high speeds,” said Woodford.
In 2018, the Tasmanian branch of the Crane Industry Council of Australia (CICA) released a crane safety bulletin relating to tyre fires, pyrolysis, explosions (Crane Safety Bulletin #235) warning of these dangerous conditions.
“Pick & carry cranes they can also suffer the same tyre failure as for larger mobile cranes when travelling at speed on the open road,” continued Woodford.
“However, where they differ is that pick & carry cranes do not use outriggers, they are articulated and also travel (carry) with the load. Consequently, crane stability is dependent solely on the crane’s suspension and tyres.”
“Recent accidents validate that ensuring correctly inflated tyres is not only critical before a lift (static position) but also during travel, especially with a load,” he said.
CICA (Crane Industry Council of Australia) Position Paper on articulated crane operator Requirements CICA-PA-0009-B (17/08/2015) recognises that corrected inflated tyres are critical for stabilisation / control for pick & carry cranes (articulated cranes).
“A robust and qualified TMSystem provides alarms relating to the condition of the crane tyres. These alarms can relate to the tyre being over or under pressure, high temperature, etc.” said Woodford.
LSM TyreGuard TMSystems are tested and certified to SAE j2848 & J1455 Standards and in Australia for Dangerous Goods (DG) Transport.
“LSM TyreGuard TMSystems have proven to be a robust technology for over 15 years here in Australia. They have been purpose built to function efficiently in the most extreme environmental and operational situations providing the highest levels of accuracy and reliability for crane tyres, cranes, and their operators,” said Woodford.
LSM TyreGuard In-Cab Display provides the operator with live tyre pressure and temperature information with the audio and visual alerts so as they can take immediate action.
“LSM FSM ®Fleet Safety (Tracking) Manager Telematics online system is capable of remote monitoring providing live online alerts, analysis and reporting fast accurate tyre management information, ensuring compliance,” said Woodford.
In recent years Industry regulators and workplace authorities have recognised that TMSystems are a critical safety mitigation control that saves injury and lives.
For example the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy (DNRM) released their updated Recognised Standard 13, Tyre, Wheel, and Rim Management November 2016 which states:
“TMSystems beneficial in keeping the tyre pressure within its stated pressure envelope. Some monitoring systems also include temperature monitoring of the tyre air chamber. The capability to inform the vehicle operator (by remote sensing) of a tyre pressure outside the envelope can ensure swift action to correct the situation or prevent tyre damage.
The DNRM Standard 13 also references The Coroner’s recommendation that industry investigate and implement remote or wireless tyre pressure sensing equipment to allow operators to measure tyre pressures from within the cabin.
The introduction of TM Systems to haulage fleet tyres on mine site vehicles was recommended by The Queensland Coroner following a fatality caused by a tyre explosion.
Also the Department of Mines & Petroleum also released their new Tyre Safety Guidelines – Tyre Monitoring Systems 10-Sep-15. Both of these Standards / Guidelines advocate the use of Tyre Monitoring Systems to monitor Tyre Pyrolysis (Fires, etc).
The Mines Safety Director stated, “There have been a number of fatalities in the mining industry directly related to not understanding or addressing the risks associated with such tyres. They are dangerous not only because of their size and mass, but also because of the pressures and combustible materials involved.”
“LSM TyreGuard TMSystems integration is also part of our LSM Sentinel® (pat.pend.) VSS Vehicle Safety System mitigation control portfolio. LSM Sentinel® is a unique set of other vehicle OH&S mitigation engineering controls, committed to providing greater safety and savings for our customers- not just for TMSystems.” Said Woodford.
“All too often, people are put in harms’ way as a result of tyre failure. With today’s technology this is completely avoidable,” he said.
For more information see LSM Technologies web site: lsm.com.au
Skyjack has turned their focus to safety at this year’s Vertikal Days in Peterborough, UK with the addition of the brand new XStep and the introduction of the Secondary Guarding Lift Enable (SGLE) feature to the company’s display. Now, in addition to the new SJ12 E/16 E Vertical Masts, the SJ45 AJ+ and SJ60 AJ+ articulating booms, visitors to stand 100 will be able to get a hands-on look at the new XStep and the award nominated SGLE secondary guarding system for scissors and vertical masts.
XStep
Through industry research and observations, it was commonplace to see operators standing on railings to gain a little more height to access small areas. For example, standing on the railings to obtain access through suspended ceiling tiles.
Using Skyjack’s XStep helps eliminate this dangerous practice and maximizes reach and productivity by providing operators with safe, increased access into and around tight, restricted spaces and avoids the elevated risk of falling from the platform.
The XStep consists of a swing down base with full height railings that in turn is securely mounted on the mid-rails of the scissor lift. The operator can step up (48cm) into the XStep, close the top rail and work safely gaining extra jobsite access.
Important in the design has been the ability for one person to install the XStep using no special tools or lifting equipment and to do so in five minutes. It is retrofittable to previous Skyjack DC scissor models and can easily be moved from one scissor to another, increasing a rental company’s fleet flexibility.
In summary Skyjack’s Xstep offers:
• All round fall protection.
• Access to controls.
• Simple installation.
• Increased productivity.
• Suitable for the current generation of SJ3215 and SJ3219 DC scissors and can easily be moved between units, further increasing fleet flexibility.
SECONDARY GUARDING LIFT ENABLE (SGLE)
In 2022 industry groups continue to highlight the fact that in some circumstances, conditions, and operations might result in inadvertent contact with obstructions and consequently an entrapment hazard.
As a result, a form of secondary guarding is now being requested on scissor lifts and vertical mast lifts by some equipment users.
Skyjack recognises there is no single best solution to help reduce the risk of entrapment and much depends upon a specific job site risk assessment to determine the most appropriate solution for any need or application.
The development of Skyjack’s Secondary Guarding Lift Enable (SGLE) addresses this issue and helps to reduce these risks. The simple to use and unobtrusive SGLE provides a robust control box with a shroud to provide additional guarding of controls, reducing the risk of unintended actuation. Two-handed operation is required to lift the machine, maintaining the operator’s body in an upright position and away from the railings, mitigating the risk of entrapment.
In summary Skyjack’s SGLE:
• Promotes correct operator positioning.
• Is tamper resistant.
• Is simple to use and unobtrusive.
• Suitable for Mast, DC, and RT scissors (old and new generation).
The new SJ12 E/16 E Vertical Masts feature working heights ranging from 5.65m to 6.75m, fully proportional drive and lift controls, direct AC variable speed electric drive which provides up to 30% duty cycle improvement, improved controllability, and consistent torque, with 70% less hydraulic connections.
In addition, the new inverted telescopic mast incorporates a multi-stage hydraulic cylinder which eliminates chains, cables, and rollers to reduce maintenance.
Like the previous generation the mast is located at the rear to provide a totally unrestricted view and excellent manoeuvrability with a zero inside steering radius.
The top of the mast is now in line with the platform rails, which when traversed, provides up to 0.41m up-and-over capability. On-board diagnostics provide real-time information in plain, simple language readouts and the lift up maintenance hatch offers easy, unrestricted access to all major components and batteries for routine servicing.
The SJ12 E and SJ16 E are one of the first Skyjack products to feature the company’s ECO label offering a 15 per cent operational carbon saving compared to previous models.
SJ45 AJ+ / SJ60 AJ+
The low weight, SJ45 AJ+ and SJ60 AJ+ offer high capacities up to 454kg with three persons. These machines feature SMARTORQUETM technology, which combines optimised gearing, Skyjack’s AXLDRIVETM, 25hp Kubota engines, and simplified high efficiency hydraulics, to deliver the necessary torque and performance normally found in larger engines.
This eliminates Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), Oxidation Catalyst, and other active exhaust after treatments for Stage V regulations, reducing both maintenance costs and fuel consumption.
These booms also feature EASYDRIVETM, the unique direction sensing drive and steer system. AXLDRIVETM for superior traction with low maintenance and SKYRISERTM for true vertical rise.
The SJ60 AJ+ also includes SPEEDYREACHTM which offers the speed of a straight boom with the flexibility of an articulating boom.
All Skyjack products feature ELEVATE Live which provides easy access to machine-specific information. For example, emergency lowering procedure, visual pre-check guide, familiarization videos, via a QR code (no app or password required).
This can be further enhanced with full ELEVATE telematics and BMS which will provide additional data such as battery charging guide, battery life remaining, active fault codes, etc.
Vertikal Days are held at the East of England Showground, Peterborough, UK from May 11 – 12, 2022
When Rodney Cunnington began as a crane assessor for his business R & E Crane Services 22 years ago, his day to day activities were vastly different to how they are today.
Cunnington’s role as a crane assessor sees him getting to site to assess cranes to ensure they are compliant in terms of safety standards and inspections.
In the early days of his business, Cunnington would often find himself drowning in paperwork. Cunnington would take images of cranes followed by the laborious task of typing out his notes when he returned home. He then matched his notes to the relevant images and sent these notes back to the clients, with additional information expanding what work needed to be completed in order to pass the assessment.
“Since implementing the Pervidi system some 15 years ago, I don’t have paperwork anymore. I used to sit down and type the reports, print every report, sign them and post them in the mail – that’s going back some years now but that was the only way to do it,” he said.
15 years ago, Cunnington saw an email from Pervidi explaining its paperless solution. He was very interested in what this entailed.
“I thought to myself the paperless reporting will definitely be the way of the future, so I jumped in my car and drove down to Melbourne and saw the guys at Pervidi and they showed me everything,” Cunnington said.
“It was very different back then obviously, but Pervidi have kept up with the times and it went from being a USB dongle to an offline App and web portal now, which is so efficient for us and the operators, it’s very impressive,” he said.
Paperless reporting now allows Cunnington to streamline his operation ensuring his return visits to customers are as efficient as possible.
“I put my own inspection reports into Pervidi about the machine I am working on, and I place the barcode on each piece of machinery I examine,” Cunnington said.
“When I come back the next time, I scan the barcode with my mobile device which brings up the previous report for that piece of machinery and I go through the data which is already loaded into Pervidi and update it following the most recent inspection,” he said.
Cunnington cannot believe how simple it is for him to complete a full site audit without having to go away and finish paperwork at a later time.
“It cuts my workload down by so much, when I was working on the job site with my paper based system, I wouldn’t finish until 10 o’clock at night as I had to collate it all once I got home,” he said.
“I am not on the job site for as long as I was before, and by the time I finish and leave the site it is all done,” Cunnington said.
Whilst Pervidi paperless solutions has made his job far more streamlined, it is also an asset for his clients.
“The client can open the report on their computer and see everything,” Cunnington said.
“It is very simple, when they are green it is a pass and when they come to a red line it’s a fail, and clients can see the image with a circle around it highlighting why it has failed and I write a comment explaining what needs to be rectified,”.
“It is simple for the operators, they can lodge it into their data base and say repaired and others will email back and say it is repaired and I just note it ,” he said.
“Once they have repaired the issue, I leave the comments but change the fail to a pass and send back an updated report, it gives them another way to keep records of their maintenance reports,” Cunnington said.
Crane operators are able to store this data within Pervidi utilised by R & E Crane Services to ensure they always have access to reports.
“I had one client who was considering selling a crane and he asked to see the last five years of inspection reports and I was able to give them to him and it was instrumental in helping him to sell that crane,” Cunnington said.
The paperless reporting from Pervidi has completely streamlined the operations for R & E Crane Services, ensuring minimum downtime for customers and quicker turn arounds for assessors.
When it comes to lifting equipment safety inspections and service, it’s important not to leave your safety hanging on an outdated or over complicated procedure.
Lifting and rigging gear can be heavy and awkward to handle and store. The SlingRakz range of storage and handling solutions for lifting and rigging products has been developed in response to a changing working environment.
Industry leading wire rope manufacturer, Bridon-Bekaert The Ropes Group (BBRG) recently invested in a state-of-the-art Service Centre. The new centre operates in conjunction with their NATA certified testing laboratory to provide customers with specialised services including rope analysis and forensic testing.
The Crosby Group won the prestigious LEEA Best Innovation Award 2021 for its Crosby BlokCam crane camera system.
In late November 2021, The Crane Industry Council of Australia’s (CICA) CEO Brandon Hitch and Stuart Edwards, Director of Edwards Heavy Lift, and CICA Technical Committee Member – presented the Federal Safety Commissioner Hazard 2020 webinar on lift planning for crane risk management. You can watch this webinar here.