Crane Load Cells – The Crane’s Back Bone

Crane Load Cells – The Crane’s Back Bone

Crane Load Cells are, in effect, the spine of crane operation. A bad load cell can easily result in fatal or costly accidents occurring if one doesn’t correctly use, or properly maintain them.

In August, 2007, in Northwest British Columbia, Canada, a conventional crane was placing an extracted pile on the deck of a barge. The load cell that was attached to the jib of the crane broke away from the boom. The load cell unit fell 75 feet, striking a worker who was placing the materials used in the holds and containers to protect goods and their packaging from moisture, contamination and mechanical damage.

The worker luckily managed to escape the ordeal with a fractured skull and arm and a shoulder injury.

What are Crane Load Cells?

As the abovementioned incident shows us, load cells are absolutely essential for the safety of the crane operation. Load cells help by constantly monitoring the crane to detect overload situations. This helps preventing the load line breakage, and in some cases even the crane from tipping over.

A load cell that is broken, by-passed or gives false load indications is a potentially fatal safety risk. A constant overload also drastically cuts down on the life-cycle of the crane by causing unnecessary wear and tear on the crane structures and machinery elements.

In addition to the problems caused by incorrect usage of the load cell itself, many problems can also be caused by load cell’s mechanical environment, e.g., the load cell can be stuck due to corrosion or dirtiness leading to the crane being worn out.

Ways to prevent load cell-related accidents:

1. Proper maintenance: Load cells, being so essential to the safe operation of cranes, are subject to a tremendous amount of wear and tear, as well as being prone to corrosion. Accidents resulting from inattention and lackadaisical maintenance can easily result in potentially fatal accidents.
2. Correct usage: In August, 1997, Los Angeles, two workers, either from impatience or not paying proper attention to the Safe Load Indicator’s warning system, bypassed the SLI using a key in order to lift a crate that was heavier than what the crane was capable of lifting. This kind of inattentiveness is very dangerous when using massive and therefore intrinsically dangerous machines like cranes. If the workers are properly informed of the consequences of such carelessness, and by paying proper attention to every single part of the equipment, from the Crane Load Cells to the Crane Cable Reels, the worksite will be much safer to work in.

Summing it up

Crane operations cannot proceed without the use of well-made Load Cells. Crane operators are entirely dependent on these little devices to help them keep their work progressing smoothly and safely.

LSI Wireless provides the best Load Cells available on the market. Zero-calibration required, an accuracy of 1%, corrosion resistant, working temperatures ranging from -40°F to +185°F allowing them to be used anywhere in the world, two year battery life, potted electronics for waterproofing and with a 4,000 foot transmission range. There are many options available.

Mike bode, the founder of lsiwireless.com, a global dealer of lsi-robway™ products.