Overhead crane attachment for horizontal applications

[mafu42]

I'm looking for an overhead crane attachment that will allow for horizontal assembly of a weighty object. Due to the design of the assembly, my working envelope is represented in the following picture

Normally, a job like this would be accomplished using a forklift, however, due to the design of the assembly, an overhead crane is required. The main hurdles are that the load must be inserted horizontally and that the attachment must clear the envelope of the entire assembly - due to the weight of the load, and nature of overhead cranes - this poses stability issues. I'm wondering if there are any attachments for an overhead crane that might solve the problem? Thanks!

 

[chicopee]

What type of an attachment is tinypic.com? my computer wont open that file. You should submit your sketch or picture in JPEG or some other more familiar format.

 

[racookpe1978]

How far do you have to move the load sideways?
How big is the load (width, length, height)?
How heavy is it?
How consistent is the weight between loads - if it is always the same, your solution is much easier?
How precise do you have to re-locate the load at the end of the move?
How delicate is the load/how competent are your riggers and crane operators?

 

[mafu42]

@chicopee its actually a link to a picture online. Try this: Click Here

 

[mafu42]

@racookpe1978

1. The entire object is required to be completely inside assembly by the end of lift - so about 2ft (debth of object, if that's what you're referring to)
2. Approximately 6ft wide, 3ft deep, 3ft high.
3. Approximatly 500lb
4. Do you mean weight distribution of the object?
5. Precise enough for the object to be bolted in place prior to release
6. The load is extremely delicate, but the operators are even more competent.

 

[SnTMan]

mafu42, you could probably position the load laterally with the crane trolley.

But:

The CG of the load is going to want to be directly beneath the hook. No matter what. Maybe an opposed counterweight?

Regards,

Mike

 

[zeusfaber]

This job sounds a little like sliding a console unit into the control panel in an ogre's castle.

Do you have a feel for how accurately aligned the object needs to be as you mate it with the assembly? Do you just need to land the back edge onto a pair of rails, after which it will roll in neatly like a drawer into a filing cabinet - or are you trying to post a block into a socket that will wedge it solid at the first hint of misalignment?

Lifting the load so it's cantilevered off the attachment is probably manageable - either with counterweights as previously suggested or with a frame that curves back over the top of the whole assembly so the crane hook attaches directly above the cg of the object - provided in either case that you can find a safe way to stop the frame flipping out of control when you disconnect the load.

Much more difficult with a cantilevered attachment will be maintaining any sort of fine control over the attitude of the load.

A.

 

[SnTMan]

zeusfaber, good point about disconnecting, I had kind of glossed over it.

 

[Jboggs]

You need a specially designed lifting fixture. Nothing I've seen so far tells me it would be very complicated, but it will have to be designed by someone that knows what they're doing. Contact a local crane service company if you don't have the skills internally.

 

[chicopee]

Sorry, my computer has blocked it and I wont over ride it.

 

[chicopee]

Per zeusfaber "...Lifting the load so it's cantilevered off the attachment is probably manageable - either with counterweights as previously suggested or with a frame that curves back over the top of the whole assembly so the crane hook attaches directly above the cg of the object..." like a big "C" clamp without the turnscrew-

 

[bsmet95]

You may need some kind of manipulator.