Are Tower Cranes Supposed To Spin Freely In The Wind?

by | Aug 18, 2021 | Featured Posts, General Construction Safety in QLD, Tower Crane Hire Safety in QLD | 0 comments

Are Tower Cranes Supposed To Spin Freely In The Wind
We answer the question: Are Tower Cranes Supposed To Spin Freely In The Wind?

This post was originally written by Ryan Graham from Work Safety QLD and posted on Falcon Cranes website. 

High winds pose a risk to tower cranes when they are not in operation. If a tower crane is left with its slew brake engaged or with the jib parked at too small a radius, it could potentially result in very high loadings being placed on the crane causing a collapse of the jib or even the whole crane. 

To mitigate the risks, our procedure at Falcon Cranes is to weathervane our tower cranes when they are not in use, as per the manufacturers recommendations. 

What Is Weathervaning?

Activating weathervaning or “free slewing” mode on a tower crane essentially allows the crane to slew with its full 360 degree radius freely in the wind, just like a flag. 

Due to the surface area of the front jib being much larger than that of the rear or the counter jib, the front jib will follow the wind direction, and the counter jib will point against the wind. 

This orientation minimises the surface area exposed to the force of the wind, which reduces the wind “pressure” exerted on the crane structure, thus minimising the risk that the wind could “push the crane over”, or cause damage to the super structure under high loadings. 

What Are Falcon Cranes Procedures? 

Falcon Cranes operate a fleet of Comansa and Potain tower cranes that can be placed into weathervane both manually, with a lever and push button on the top of the slew motor, and also automatically with the use of a dedicated pushbutton, either in the cabin or on the base electrical panel.

Both manual and automatic weathervane procedures are explained in the manufacturer’s manuals present with the cranes on all sites and are also explained in the plant specific Operator Inductions.

How To Tell If A Crane Is In Weathervane Mode

It is possible to tell from the ground whether or not a tower crane is in weathervane mode simply by looking for tell-tale signs, e.g. the direction of roof-top flags or other tower cranes nearby. 

You can view the original post written by Ryan Graham from Work Safety QLD posted on Falcon Cranes website here

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Posts:

How to Stay Safe When Working in Confined Spaces

How to Stay Safe When Working in Confined Spaces

Working in a confined space presents many safety hazards that can lead to serious injury or even death. To help keep you safe, here are some important tips to follow when working in a confined space.

Bricklaying Safety

Bricklaying Safety

Bricklaying is a dangerous job, and safety should always be a top priority. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some of the most common dangers faced by bricklayers and how to avoid them. We’ll also share some tips on what to do if you or someone you know is injured while working.

How to Use an Arc Welder Safely

How to Use an Arc Welder Safely

If you’re going to be working with an arc welder, it’s important that you understand how to use it safely. In this blog post, we’ll cover some basic safety tips that you should keep in mind when operating an arc welder.

Brick Cleaning Safety

Brick Cleaning Safety

When dealing with bricks, it is important to protect yourself from potential injury. Even the smallest of bricks can have jagged edges, chunks of mortar stuck to them and other sharp objects that could easily cause cuts and scrapes. Read this blog to learn about brick cleaning safety.

Is Your Workplace Safe? A Guide to Managing the Risks of Confined Spaces

Is Your Workplace Safe? A Guide to Managing the Risks of Confined Spaces

Every workplace has its own set of risks, and it’s important for employers to understand how to mitigate these risks. Confined spaces can be particularly dangerous, as they often contain hidden hazards that can cause serious injury or death. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the dangers of confined spaces and provide tips on how to safely manage these risks. We’ll also look at some specific examples of confined spaces, so you can better understand how to protect your employees.

When Should A Risk Assessment Be Carried Out

When Should A Risk Assessment Be Carried Out

Risk assessments are an important part of any business. They help to identify potential risks so you can create a plan to mitigate them. But when should you carry out a risk assessment? And what should be included in the report? In this blog post, we will answer these questions.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Join our free email newsletter to recieve weekly tips, tricks, guides and resources for Work Health and Safety in Queensland. We send free weekly Work Health & Safety templates, resources and information.

Sign up for free today!

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This