1. Legal Foundation

• BGR 500, Chapter 2.8 (previously VBG 9a)
• Operation of load-support equipment in liftingequipment mode
• 98 / 37 / EC Machine Directive
• EN 13155

High quality assures perfect operation

The manufacturing department has the major welding suitability certificate according to DIN 18800, Part 7, and DIN 15018 for dynamic and static support frames. The liftingequipment is manufactured by certified welders according to EN 287-1 under the continual supervision of a welding engineer. Only material with a test certificate according to EN 10204 is used.

The testing methods and designdimensioning fundamentals are in accordance with EN 13155 (cranes > loose lifting equipment) and DIN 15018. All of the lifting equipment is designed in accordance with the standards and dimensioned in such a way that a static overload test can be carried out with twice the nominal load without visible damage or permanent deformations (an overload is never permissible in normal operation).

2. Lifting Equipment from the Hand of Experts

Precise planning guarantees perfect operation

The optimum conceptual design is developed in the planning phase with consultation with the user. Designs are created with the most up to date CAD systems and computer analysis programs making later processing or changes possible at any time.

Competent consultation on site

The trained team of experienced consultants brings all of the potential from a number of solutions to problems into the consultation meeting. In the process, the application technician will readily attend the customer’s site to determine the usage conditions and requirements.

Certificates, of course

Each piece of lifting equipment has a nameplate with the manufacturer, safe working load, tare weight, serial number and date of manufacture. Each piece of lifting equipment has comprehensive operating instructions, the factory test certificate and the declaration of conformity. We will supply documents on static deflection that will provide verification for an audit for an additional charge; special tests (Lloyd Register, Norske Veritas, TÜV etc.) and an overload test are possible without any problems. The CE declaration and the operating instructions refer to the lifting equipment that is delivered; a further analysis of hazards could be necessary for special applications within the company

3. Design and Operation

Spreader beam

The following standard adjustments and standard variants are possible; all of the features can be combined in arbitrary ways.

Crane side:

• Two, three or four leg chain suspension, also with chain shorteners.
• The load center can be determined by shortening single or multiple chains.
• The suspension unit (e.g. the suspension eye) is attached in a rigid, symmetrical or asymmetrical fashion.
• The suspension unit can be adjusted incrementally.
• The suspension unit can be adjusted with the traveling gear manually via the winch chain (also under full load).
• The suspension unit can be adjusted with the traveling gear manually via an electric motor (also under full load).

Design type:

• Planar variants, e.g. lifting beam, spreader beam
• Three-dimensional variants, e.g. H beams, spreader frames

Load side:

• Load attachment points are rigid
• Load attachment points can be incrementally adjusted
• Load attachment points on running gear can be manually adjusted using the winch chain
• Load attachment points on traveling gear can be adjusted via an electric motor

Please note without fail! The crane hook has to always be over the load centre of gravity when a load is lifted.
If the crane hook is not over the load centre of gravity, the overall system will tilt when being lifted until the centre of gravity is under the crane hook. The higher the lifting beam is built up, the less the system has to tilt to get into the position with the load centre under the crane hook. A permissible tilt was defined, because the lifting beam never hangs in an absolutely horizontal position. According to EN 13155, a lifting beam tilt of a maximum of 6° is permissible.

Consideration has to always be given to the height of the centre of gravity of the load when the load is attached, and it has to be subjected to a critical evaluation! There is no cause for concern if the load center is lower than the load attachment points. If the load centre is higher than the load attachement points, special attention is necessary! If the load-fastening is done incorrectly here, the system could completely tip over!

Each piece of lifting equipment has a "fixed overall height". The fixed overall height is the distance from the bearing point of the crane hook to the next hinge point below it, i.e. the distance of the lifting beam below the crane hook that can't change geometrically when the load swings. A shackle pin or even the movable point of support of a frame plate, for example, constitutes a hinge point. The fixed overall height of the lifting beam has to always be significantly greater than the distance from the load attachement point to the height of the center of gravity of the load! Both the spatial X axis and the spatial Z axis are to be subjected to an evaluation here! Lifting beams with eye suspension have small "fixed overall heights". Lifting beams with 4 leg suspensions have larger "fixed overall heights".

Coil hooks, loading forks

Loads have to be picked up and put down in such a way that an unintentional dropping of the load, a breaking apart of the load or slippage or rolling of the load is prevented. Depending on the application, a protective cage or a slip-resistant prong coating is suitable for this, among other things; in the case of narrow loads, for example slit strips, mechanical safety equipment is to be provided. Transporting of loads with a center of gravity in front of the suspension unit (in the direction of the prong tip) leads to downward tilting of the prong and is absolutely prohibited.

Grippers

Mechanical, positivelocking grippers grab the load in such a way that a hold is taken under the load or in an existing recess. It is to be noted that the positive-locking surface has to be perpendicular to the gripper axis. Note without fail! A gripper that was designed for positive-locking operation is never permitted to be used as a frictionally-engaged gripper! The load will inevitably slipout of the gripper!

It must always be determined whether as to whether the load to be lifted has the required coefficient of friction in combination with the surface of the gripper jaw. It is to be noted that the relative level of safety with regard to the load slipping out has nothing to do with the weight of the load, but is instead exclusively dependent upon the coefficient of friction and the geometrical gripper position.

Grippers get the required jaw pressure from the design geometry and from the load weight. It is to be noted when transporting loads with grippers that load collisions with the environment could lead to an opening of the gripper. Collisions during lifting with grippers are to therefore be absolutely avoided. If collisions cannot be ruled out, the gripper has to be equipped with an additional safety device.

4. Handling and Usage

The operating instructions are to absolutely be followed when lifting equipment is used. The permissible temperature range is -40° C to +100° C.

Lifting equipment is only permitted to be independently used by persons who are familiar with these tasks. We will readily offer training and instruction to you for this. Lifting equipment is not permitted to be loaded beyond the load-bearing capability; the load has to be protected against being dropped. Damage that could lead to interference with the load-bearing capability of the lifting equipment has to be avoided.

5. Inspection and Maintenance Service

Lifting equipment is to be given a visual and functional inspection before every instance of use; the lifting equipment is to be put out of operation when there are recognizable defects.

According to BGR 500, Chap. 2.8, each piece of lifting equipment has to be inspected by a technical specialist at least once a year; depending on the usage conditions, inspections could also be necessary at shorter intervals. A special inspection by a technical specialist is necessary after damage occurs or special events arise that could influence the loadbearing capability, and it is also necessary after maintenance.

We are quite well prepared for these inspections. All of the maintenance work and servicing can also be carried out, of course.

You can readily obtain information on the inspection and repair service and information on technical seminars and training from us upon request.