There are a lot of different components and considerations that go into choosing a crane. Often a business will spend a lot of time in selecting the right crane design and scope, but fails to consider the small details that can prove to be a weak link in the system.
Why Worry?
The below the hook lifting devices are one of the potential weak links in a system. As a general definition, consider these devices the way that the crane connects with the load. There are many different options in below the hook lifting devices and selecting the right option can increase the weight of the loads and the types of loads that can be lifted and moved by the system.
When selecting any below the hook lifting options, there are some important factors to keep in mind. Think about the safety, construction and fabrication of these devices when making a choice. Choosing a poor quality or a device from a company not using standards developed by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) is never recommended as the risk of injury, safety violations and damage to the load is simply too high.
What to Know
Before selecting a lifter, it is important to know a variety of different factors. You will want to known the manufacturer’s name and address, with this clearly marked on the lifting device. This same information should also provide the model number, serial number and the actual weight of the device.
All below the hook lifting devices will also be designated according to the lifter designation. This includes both the design category and the service class. The service class is important as it lists the load cycles for the lifting device. This ranges from a low of Service Class 0 with a 0-20,000 load cycle rating to a Class 4 with over 2,000,000 load cycles.