PALFINGER CRAYLER. TRUCK OR TRAILER MOUNTED TRANSPORTABLE FORKLIFT.

In keeping with our committment to our customer base in the midwest, Runnion Equipment Company is now a distributor for Palfinger Crayler - Transportable Forklifts.  The Palfinger Crayler line includes six models of forklifts, each of which can be loaded and unloaded from the back of a truck in less than a minute. 

Runnion will be providing our full range of service, parts and rental of the Crayler product line. 

The Palfinger Crayler forklifts are designed to be easy to transport. They are lightweight to put less stress then the competition models on the truck or trailer that is carrying them. They also feature forward wheel mount support pads to take pressure off the forks which minimizes bounce and ensures a smooth ride when in the transport mode.

Ideal over rough terrain and in tight spaces, the forklifts are sufficiently versatile for any type of work, such as delivering brick, block, lumber and wallboard. In operation, the location of the operatore seat provides excellent views of the center of the load.

The Crayler CR moving mast series is designed for the customer who needs serious terrain ability. The toughest job sites are no obstacle for this units’ powerful engine and drive system.




Among the models we will be offering for sale or rent:

The CR45 was designed with single axle trucks in mind.

The CR50 has an air cooled 64 hp diesel engine that is the most powerful on the market.

The CR50 Palreach is ideal for loading and unloading on tight job sites.

The CR55 has all the features of the CR50 along with a 5,500lb capacity.

The CR65 provides the greatest lift capacity of all the Crayler forklifts.

Check out the details of the full product line at the Palfinger website!

Palfinger is a leading international manufacturer of hydraulic lifting, loading and handling systems. The Crayler product is Palfinger’s line of truck-mounted forklifts. The line was introduced in 1997; Crayler forklifts combine a unique design with cutting edge technical features and Palfinger quality assurance.

Palfinger’s North America headquarters is located in beautiful Niagara Falls, Ontario. Their complete product line may be viewed at http://www.palfinger-northamerica.com/.

BOOM TRUCK WINTER MAINTENANCE



THAT  HELPLESS  FEELING



CRANE TIPS:

#1 Frozen ground. This condition can give you a false sense of the true stability of the surface underneath. What seems solid may only be solid few inches deep. Always use the PROPER SIZE outrigger and stabilizer pads - which we conveniently have in stock.

#2 Operating in cold temperatures - over throttling cold machines can damage the telescope cylinder and also cause your return hoses to blow off. Remember that hydraulic oil thickens when cold, which increases back pressure on the return system. Make sure your return hose clamps are tight and properly warm up machines before use.

#3 Freeze/ thaw cycles. This condition can allow ice to build up on the top of the boom and ice can slide off at any time – aimed right at the operator station. Also, cable pulleys can freeze up and allow the cables to jump off the sheaves thereby damaging the cables - this is especially true for anti-two block cables. Be observant, check the sheaves for rotation and inspect booms for ice before you boom up, especially when machines are left out overnight.


#4 Lubrication. Throughout the cold months, make sure that you keep your control levers and rods lubricated as water can freeze your levers solid If not lubed properly. Before the cold weather hits, check that your swing gear box fluid is clean and free of water contamination. Every year, after the first significant cold snap, we have customers calling in complaining of a complete loss of swing operation. Ice in the fluid can and will freeze your gear box. Note -if your fluid is water contaminated, most likely, you will have a damaged pinion seal which will need to be replaced to keep the water out.

TRUCK TIPS:

#1 Air tanks.   Air contains moisture. Air tanks develop moisture inside and this water must be drained. This is usually overlooked in the warmer months but becomes an issue during the winter. Ice can and does freeze your brake valve - so that you cannot unlock your brakes - or freezes your PTO (air switch) so you cannot engage your PTO in order to run your crane.



#2 Tire pressure.  Cold temperatures lower tire pressure. When is the last time you checked and filled yours? Now is also a good time to check if you have enough tread left on your tires to carry you thru the winter snow.

#3 Lighting/ batteries. You will be working during more hours of darkness in the winter and all lighting needs to operate properly. In addition, your truck batteries should be tested for condition and terminals should be cleaned.

#4 Engine fluids. Coolant condition and freeze protection must be checked prior to the winter season. Don’t rely on last years test! TEST AGAIN! Diesel fuel will “gel” at colder temperatures and must be treated with anti-gel fluid to prevent this. It seams that every one knows this, but at seem to forget each winter as the first cold snap will cause a run on anti-gel at the auto and truck supply stores.

GET YOUR BOOM TRUCK READY FOR WINTER

BMW CHAMPIONSHIP - CRANES ON THE COURSE

How do you get a big, heavy, boom truck onto a golf course?  Not just any golf course - the world famous Cog Hill - Dubsdread #4 in Lemont. 

Very, very carefully!

(And with a load of heavy plywood!)

Dubsdread, site of the 2009 and 2010 BMW Championship, along with around 150,000 spectators and several well known golfers - hosted several Runnion Equipment boom trucks throughout the seven day event.

Our National Crane 9103A set up and took down the "Jumbotron" which gave spectators instant replay and a close look at the golfers.

.

Our National 890D off loaded and set up the leaderboard

Our Manitex 30102C hoisted a camera man for TV coverage -  158 feet up.

Serious guys - these camera men

A 33 ton National 14110A with a tip height of 120 feet and a 30 ton 1300H with a tip height of 174 feet (with jib), were used as mobile antennas to broadcast the trials and tribulations of the championship golfers around the world.

Remarkably, not a mark was left on the course. 

(Can't vouch for the condition of the plywood "tracks")

FINAL OSHA RULE - CRANES AND DERRICKS IN CONSTRUCTION

Consideration of the new rules began in 1998.  The Rulemaking Committee convened in July 2003.  Public hearings commenced in March 2009.  As of this writing, the new OSHA rule becomes effective November 9, 2010 - barring any delays which do not seem likely - which is 90 days after publication in its entirety within the Federal Register on August 9th

Go HERE to see the final language.


Bottom line requirements;

• Pre-erection inspection of components
• Use of synthetic slings per manufacturers instructions
• Pre-erection inspection of ground conditions
• Qualification or Certification of crane operators
• Qualified riggers and signalmen 
• Documented procedures for work around powerlines

Here is a link to a nice summary issued by the Chicagoland Construction Safety Council.




The Finance and Commerce site has a nice article here.

To Quote:

"On average, 100 people die every year in crane and derrick accidents, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

“We believe the new standard will prevent more than 20 worker fatalities every year and will prevent many injuries as well,” said David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, during a telephone news conference Wednesday. “We estimate that implementation of this standard will save $55 million per year.”

   
EHS TODAY (The Magazine for Environment, Health and Safety Professionals) has an informative article as well at this link.    Their view - It's all about the training and certification.



All construction people should be aware of CPWR, The Center for Construction Research and Training.  There is a wealth of information on the issues related to cranes and derricks as well as construction safety in general.

From their site:  "CPWR is committed to preventing illness, injury, and death in the construction industry through its safety and health research. CPWR heads a nationwide consortium of researchers who identify, develop and test innovative approaches to solve problems related to high risk activities in the industry. Knowledge developed through the research is disseminated through publications, presentations, the web, and training programs."

Check out this link to their site.




As you review the information provided in this post, be aware that certain provisions of the new rules have delayed effective dates ranging from one to four years from the date of publication.  Rest assured, however that as a result of the new OSHA standard, the world will be changing for Boom Truck operators.


As a major supplier of telescoping and articulating cranes in the Midwest, Runnion Equipment Company will be taking a lead in providing guidance for our customers and we encourage you to watch this blog and our website for future information in regards to operator certification, training and inspection services.  As always, feel free to contact your Runnion representative with your questions. 

We are all in this together.

CUSTOM TRACTOR MOUNT BOOM TRUCK - ROOM FOR EVERYTHING

Take a look at this custom made tractor mount that we sold to one of our long time customers -

National 680D / International 7600 6x4 - Tractor Mount

This is a National Crane model 680D custom mounted on an International 7600 6x4 chassis.  Check out the set-back, behind the cab mount.  Six feet of storage for tools, outrigger pads, emergency generators, towing supplies, straps, you name it.

REALLY, behind-the-cab mount!

The 14 foot, removeable "short" bed sits over the Holland fifth wheel which is accessible by pulling off the bed - usually with a fork truck.  

"Shorty" bed.

Fifth wheel - under the removeable bed

If you have a heavy duty tow business doing recovery work, if your company is involved in supplying temporary power generators in remote areas, if you just need a tractor mounted crane that does not spend 100% of it's time hauling trailers - this custom boom truck is something to consider.

At Runnion Equipment Company, custom mounted cranes are a regular part of our business.  Working with our manufacturers, we can supply you with a custom mounted telescoping or articulating (knuckleboom) crane to meet your special application.

Truck mounted cranes, pedestal mounted cranes, rolling base cranes, barge mounted cranes or cranes mounted on trailers - we have seen (and sold) them all !

RUNNION EQUIPMENT FISHING TRIP

June 5th. Dawn breaks, muggy with mid level, hazy red altocumulus clouds - predicting heavy weather for later ..... like we care! It's time for a break from dealing with all things relating to telescoping and articulating cranes. On the other hand, as one of our compatriots points out, a reel is just a winch and a rod is, well, just a crane......

Right now, we have bigger things on our mind, the boat, the trophy and the salmon. Coho and Chinook ("Kings" if you prefer) are hanging on the temp and current breaks, waiting for the always victimized and apparently never the wiser, alewife .

Captain Jerry and his wife Lisa check our licenses, brief us on the necessary stuff, cast off lines, crank the engines on the Wellcraft, and out we go.

A couple of miles into the top secrets spots (per GPS) and Capt. Jerry starts setting out our downriggers, yellow birds, walleye boards and setback racks - 14 rods out in all. There are 6 of us fishing. Fair is fair - man vs fish.

The Captain and crew work hard to keep us on the fish, but there will be no limiting out today. Long minutes of watching rod tips and going for a boat ride is interspersed with - mad flurries of frantic reeling - and responding to orders barked at us from the captain.

Excitement among the crew builds -

- as Mr. Lucky ties into a bruiser that tries to strip his reel. After almost 15 minutes of back and forth battle, thirteen pounds of silver and grey King salmon in the cooler is the big fish that leads the day in the quest for the Runnion Traveling Trophy - and the bragging rights that go with it.

Twenty minutes later, the fish of the day falls to a new champion. A sixteen pound king sneaks into the boat, surprising everyone with it's size.

(It's lack of spirited fight no doubt credited to the fear it felt when it knew it was hooked by the Major.)

All in all - a good day......

And along with a great recipe for salmon marinated in barbecue sauce, it was a great evening as well!

MEMORIAL DAY

Memorial Day weekend.

Monday May 31, Runnion Equipment Company, of course, is closed for business.

This is the first long weekend of the summer season - (although summer doesn't officially begin until June 21). We'll have some time to spend outside doing some yardwork, relaxing, checking out the antique car shows... and deciding which of my grills to use:

OLD RELIABLE

More importantly, do you recall why we have the day off?

Do you remember what it is about?

Will you take some time out of your weekend to say "Thanks"?

If you don't know any Veterans or active service people, DO something in keeping with the spirit of the day of rememberance. Take your kids to one of the Veteran's services taking place in your neighborhood, take a minute to write a check to one of the Veteran's organizations or the USO, fly the flag - say a silent prayer.

I started the day out right... the Korean War Vet in front of me at Dunkin Donuts let me buy!