Scales for LEGAL LOADING

Wheel load scales are used to maximise legal payloads so that maximum axle loadings are not exceeded. Reduced maintenance needs, otherwise caused by overloading, are a further benefit.

Intercomp’s LP 600 portable scale is designed for fast and accurate vehicle weighing.

Each scale weighs 20kg and has a capacity of more than 10t, to an accuracy of +/-1%. The fully electronic LP 600 is machined from billet aluminium and, according to Intercomp, any number can be connected to a computer to calculate the total weight of a vehicle. The 25mm LCD display has a back light for use at night.

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Feet first for control

Precise control afforded by a new foot operated hydraulic remote control (HRC) gives better machine and operator performance, claims its manufacturer, Berendsen. The HRC is a pressure reducing valve that drives hydraulic directional control valves.

As the pedal is moved pressure in the pilot line increases which moves the spool in the directional valve against its spring. Movement of the spool is proportional to the pressure applied to it. If the directional valve has a metering spool the output flow and consequently the speed of the actuator it is operating will vary according to the spool position.

Pressure rise against pedal movement can be adjusted to suit individual requirements and a variety of return spring configurations are also available so that the relationship between movement and pressure rise need not be linear. For greater flexibility the aluminium valve block can be altered to accommodate extra hydraulic functions. Twin pedal, or single rocker pedal versions of the HRC are available.

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LONGER-LIFE contactless SENSORS

A new range of contactless angle sensors have patented features designed to increase their operating life. The potentiometers, with a life expectancy of 200 million operations are manufactured by Sakae of Japan and are a development of the KSM22 series. Applications include angle sensing of knuckle booms and hoist and winch movement sensing.

Output is analogue and input is standard 5V DC. Several versions are available, for example with a rear extension shaft, plastic housing and protection up to IP 65.

Using the same technology, contactless length measuring sensors are also available. The LSM22-30-5 is for precise measurements up to 30mm.

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Harness 2000

In response to distributor demands for a basic, light weight full body harness, Checkmate has launched its Millennium model single point harness. Priced at £70 ($112) plus tax, it has marine grade stainless steel fittings and comes complete with a 2m shock absorber lanyard.

Checkmate also runs training courses for basic harness use and inspection as well as customised courses to cater for particular requirements.

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Liftall modifies its Bottle grabbing attachment

Throughout North America wastewater treatment plants use chlorine gas as an oxidising disinfectant. Bulk chlorine is held in standard-sized pressure bottles, larger than beer kegs, carrying 910kg of liquid chlorine which is at 6.2bar and is 1.25 times more dense than water.

Liftall, based in Canada and recently taken over by Kinshofer (as reported in our February issue), came up with a special grab for these bottles back in 1993, using two saddles for holding the grab upright and centred along the bottle diameter. This grab, the 60-T-1FR07 model, features two end guides which centre the grab along the bottle length. It has pivot mounted jaws that engage the underside of the bottle end flanges. The jaws have a curved lip to cradle the bottle flanges when lifting. The grab is equipped with bi-directional continuous rotation. Liftall says that the 60-T-1FR07 is the only grab purpose-designed for grabbing these chlorine bottles but, the company admits, it is expensive.

More recently, Liftall has produced a variant on this grab for use on an articulated crane at a nuclear fuel reprocessing plant. Truck loader crane dealer Cranes & Equipment Corporation and Lockheed Martin Energy Systems wanted to handle these same chlorine bottles, but they had been modified to be filled with 5% radioactive uranium hexafluoride (UF6) liquified gas. With a concrete lining blanket and filled with UF6 liquid, which is 3.2 times denser than water, these bottles weigh 2,820kg. In response to the need for a safe, certifiable, inexpensive ‘special’ grab, Liftall produced the 60-T-2FR20 with a 3,100kg SWL.

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Jib attachment

A combined jib attachment and lifting beam allows loader cranes to be used to place transformers at the top of electricity poles. Without the offset attachment the crane’s jib would be almost vertical at the height required which would obstruct the load as the 1t transformers measure between about 0.5m and 1.2m wide. A swivel attaches the telescopic lifting beam to the jib extension and the beam can also be adapted for use with conventional hoisting equipment, according to manufacturer HoistQuip.

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