Had a close call with a load swing on a windy day in Tacoma

I was lifting a steel beam about 30 feet up on a harbor job last Tuesday, and a gust caught it just as I was over the barge. The load started spinning hard. I stopped the hoist, let it settle, and used the trolley to slowly bring it back over solid ground before lowering. It was a good reminder to always check the wind speed before a pick, even if it looks calm. What's your rule of thumb for wind limits on a mobile crane?

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3 Comments

the_piper7mo ago

Man, that sounds way too close for comfort. Glad you kept your cool and got it settled.

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sarahm187mo ago

But what about the ground crew, max_rodriguez71?

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max_rodriguez717mo ago

Come on, that's just part of the job, right? I've seen loads dance in way worse wind and we just ride it out. You stopped the whole lift for a little swing? Sounds like you might be overthinking it. What's the real risk if the rigging is solid and the signal is clear?

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