Upgrades & Retrofits: Improved

Safety and Expenditures

Friction Rigs

The hoists and cranes represented in this presentation are commonly

known as “friction rigs”. Friction rigs are different from the newer style

hydraulic equipment in that a friction rig utilizes “frictions” (clutch bands

and brake bands) to engage or stop the equipment lifting operations,

requiring the operator to utilize foot pedals and lever controls.

The equipment is typically powered by a diesel engine in tandem with

a torque converter or transmission. Some pieces of equipment are

powered by electric motors.

Friction Rigs in Marine Industry

Friction rigs are very prevalent among marine industry operations

on docks and barges. However, as produced by the Original

Equipment Manufacturers and by today’s standards they have

much to be desired in terms of ease of operation, operator

comforts, and some safety precautions.

The equipment typically performs very well if properly operated and

maintained. However due to the nature of this equipment, and the

available operator resources and skills, it is becoming increasingly

difficult to find qualified people willing to operate them.

What is Ergonomics?

Ergonomics is the ability for a product to adapt to both the

workspace and the individual operator.

It focuses on creating safe, comfortable, and productive work

environments and operations by designing and fitting products to

the operator.

American 5299

American 7250

Traditional Controls & Cab

Photo

9310 9299

Traditional Controls & Cab

Photo

American 999

Traditional Controls & Cab

Photos

Manitowoc 4000

Manitowoc 3900

Manitowoc 4100 SII 225 Ton

Traditional Controls & Cab

Photos

The Seat

In deciding to go to a modular design cab there can be variations

depending on the equipment type, space available and line of

sight requirements for the operator.

It is important that the cab manufacturer and end user

communicate on the design and placement of the seating system

to insure they get it right for the operators.

Seat system selection is critical to the operator's acceptance of

the equipment as well as their health and safety.

Some Engineering

Considerations for Seat System

Get your operator and maintenance people involved. This is an

investment for your company’s long term production and you need their

buy in.

Select a system for its number of adjustments and the range of

adjustability the more adjustments the more adaptable.

Insure that the seat system will accommodate the necessary controls and

fit in the intended cabin design.

Select a system that will accommodate all operators comfortably and

achieve the intended visual requirements for safe operation.

An adjustable footrest will expand the range of operators that a seating

system can accommodate.

Decide whether the cab will support a fixed seating system or a rotating system for ease of entry and exit.

Is there adequate leg and knee clearance?

Consider the seat system positioning to the window both horizontally and vertically to obtain the optimum line of sight for the operators.

Will the seat or system need to tilt to obtain a better view?

Consult an Ergonomist on seat system selection, positioning and human factors.

Address any possible health, safety and regulatory issues, e.g., lower back and neck strain concerns that are prevalent in your crane applications.

Develop an ergonomic program, examples can be found at: www.cdc.gov/nisoh/docs/97-117

See www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/ and www.ccohs.ca/oshansweres/ergonomics/sitting_overview.html these sites address repetitive motion and stress injuries in the work place while working from a sitting position.

Develop an operator training program if not already in place.

Identify if seat restraints are required on moving equipment where operators may be at risk without them.

Contact Seat Manufacturer with any questions you may have.

Controls Identification and Cab

Design

Modular Cab on Friction Rig

Cab Comparison on 9310

Cab Comparison

State of the Art Seat with

Joystick Controls.

Seat and Controls Comparison

Additional Modular Cab Views

Equipment Control Upgrade

Potential Savings

Improved Cycle Times / Better

Productivity.

Overall Safer Operation to

Operator with Less Equipment

Damages.

Operator Pool Opens Up.

Keep the traditional rig.

Hoisting Engines

Upgrades

Upgraded Hoist Control Stand

Comparison

Barge Operation with Hoists

and Winches

Master Operations Console

Hoists and Derricks in Duty

Cycle Applications

OSHA 1926.1401 definitions

Free fall (of the load line) means that only the brake is used to

regulate the descent of the load line (the drive mechanism is not

used to drive the load down faster or retard its lowering).

Free Fall Video

Thank You

Visit Booth 3157 for More Information on Seats, Cabs, Control

Integration, and Seat with Controls

Demonstrations.