MSI CRANE SCALE SAFETY AND PERIODIC MAINTENANCE MANUAL
Safe Rigging, Loading and Operation Including Suggested Inspection and Maintenance Procedures
Table of Contents
Forward 3
Safe Operating Guidelines 4
Operating suggestions 4
Handling hoist motion 4
Safe Loading and Rigging Guidelines 5
Loading Procedure "Do's" & "Don'ts" - Illustrations 6-8
Recommended Inspection Procedures 8
Load Train Visual Inspection Suggestions 9
Visual Inspection of Shackles 9
Shackle Field Inspection Areas 10
Shackles with Excessive Wear 10
Improper Replacement of Pins in Shackle 11
Overloaded Shackle 11
Shackle Eye with Twist 11
Scale Hook Inspection 11-12
Field Inspection and Repair 12
Recommended Preventive Maintenance 13-14
This manual has been prepared to provide information and suggestions for safe operation, rigging, inspection, and maintenance of Measurement Systems International (MSI) Crane Scales.
It is not intended that the suggestions in this manual take precedence over existing plant safety rules and regulations, OSHA regulations, or instructions issued by the crane manufacturer. However, a thorough study of the following information should provide a better understanding of operation and afford a greater margin of safety for personnel and machinery. It must be recognized that this is a manual of suggestions for the crane scale operator’s use. It is the responsibility of the owner to make personnel aware of all federal, state and local rules and codes and to make certain that operators are properly trained.
Safe Operating Guidelines
Before operating a MSI crane scale, the scale operator should carefully read and study the appropriate Operation Manual supplied by MSI and note any special instructions. Operating suggestions
1. Do not make lifts beyond rated load capacity of the crane scale, sling chains, rope slings, etc.
2. Do not operate the crane scale if ropes, slings, cables, chains, etc. show any sign of defects or excessive wear.
3. Before moving the load, make certain that load slings, load chains or other lifting devices are fully seated in the saddle of the crane scale hook with hook latch closed.
4. At no time should a load be left suspended from the crane scale unless the operator is at the master switch or push buttons with the power on; and under this condition keep the load as close to the floor as possible to minimize the possibility of an injury, should the load drop. When the crane scale is holding a load, the crane operator should remain at the master switch or push buttons.
5. When a hitcher is used, it should be the joint responsibility of the crane operator and the hitcher to see that hitches are secure and that all loose material has been removed from the load before starting a lift.
6. Do not lift loads with ropes, slings, cables, chains, etc. hanging loose.
7. All ropes, slings, cables, chains, etc. should be removed from the crane scale when not in use. (A dangling cable can inadvertently snag other objects when the crane is moving.)
8. Operators should not maneuver a loaded crane scale over personnel.
Handling hoist motion
After the crane scale hook has been positioned over the load, lower it until the load can be attached to the scale hook. As the scale hook approaches this level, reduce the speed so that the lowering can be stopped smoothly and quickly.
If load slings are used to handle the load, the slings should be fully seated in the saddle of the scale hook. With the scale hook latch closed, the scale hook should be started upward slowly until all slack has been taken out of the slings. Then ensure the load is properly balanced and the slings are properly positioned.
WARNING!
Loads may disengage from crane scale hook and shackle or lifting eye if proper procedures are not followed. A falling load may cause serious injury or death. The crane scale hook must always support the load. The load must never be supported by the latch. Never lift more than the crane scale's assigned Working Load Limit (WLL) rating.
Read and understand the instructions in this manual before using the crane scale.
In-line Loading
• CAPACITY RATINGS ON THE CRANE SCALE ARE FOR IN-LINE LOADING.
• USE HARDWARE THAT CREATES SINGLE POINT ATTACHMENTS AND ALLOWS THE SCALE FREEDOM OF ALIGNMENT.
Load Train Visual Inspection Suggestions
• Always visually inspect scale load bearing components before using.
• Check for distortion such as bends, twists and spread.
• Inspect for wear such as peening, nicks, gouges, cracks, corrosion and thread damage.
• Magnetic Particle or Dye Penetrant crack detection of all components of the load train assembly should be conducted annually. If the crane scale hook, shackle or lifting eye are painted, visual inspection should take this coating into consideration. Surface variations can disclose evidence of heavy or severe use that requires more detailed analysis. The surface condition may, in such instances, call for stripping the paint.
• Annual inspection of the load sensor by an Authorized MSI Distributor is strongly recommended. Important Safety Information Do not use any load bearing component that is worn beyond 5% of original dimension. Remove from service any load bearing component with a detected crack.
Visual Inspection of Shackles
• Check for distortion such as bends, twists and spread.
• Look for peening, nicks and gouges.
• Inspect for cracks or corrosion.
• Check for thread damage.
If any of the preceeding conditions exist, remove shackle from service.
Scale Hook Inspection
The following is a guideline to be used for the examination of scale hooks.
Common inspection methods which may be used are: Visual, magnetic particle and dye penetrant.
Note: Never use a hook whose throat opening has been increased, or whose tip has been bent more than 10° out of plane from the hook body, or is in any other way distorted or bent.
Note: A latch will not work properly on a hook with a bent or worn tip.
Field Inspection and Repair
• Examine crane scale hook for excessive wear. A scale hook showing a wear-reduction greater than a 5% value should be removed from service.
• Examine crane scale hook for nicks and gouges.
• Examine crane scale hook periodically by magnetic particle and/or dye penetrant test methods, or more often in severe operating conditions. Hooks found to contain cracks should be removed from service.
• Never repair, alter, rework, or reshape any load bearing component by welding, heating, burning or bending.
Recommended Preventive Maintenance
Initial Inspection
Prior to use, all crane scale hook and shackle or lifting eyes should be inspected.
Frequent and Periodic Inspection
Inspection procedures and record keeping requirements for crane scale hook shackle and lifting eyes in regular service shall be governed by the type of equipment with which they are used.
Operator Inspection
Visual examination by the operator or other designated person; records not required.
Normal Monthly
Heavy Weekly
Designated Person Inspection / Manufacturer
Visual inspections by a designated person making records of apparent external conditions to provide the basis for continuing evaluation.
Normal Annual
Heavy Semiannual
Severe Quarterly
Calibration
Normal Annual
Heavy Semiannual
Important Safety Information
Repairs of cracks, nicks and gouges shall be carried out by an authorized designated person. All other repairs should be performed by the manufacturer.
Never repair, alter, rework or reshape any load bearing component by: welding, burning, heating or bending. Remove from service any load bearing component with wear or repair that reduces the original dimension by more than 5%. Magnetic Particle and/or Dye Penetrant Inspection and Surface Preparation
Inspect scale hook, shackle and lifting eye with magnetic particle and/or dye penetrant annually, or more often in severe operating conditions.
Annual inspection of load sensor by an authorized MSI Distributor is strongly recommended.
WARNING!
Loads imposed on this product should never exceed the maximum rated capacity shown and apply only to uniform direct tension loading. Off-axis loading, bending, side loading and shock loads should be avoided. Damage caused by such, are outside of our warranty. Inspection for wear and cracks on all load bearing components should be conducted annually.
Load bearing components showing defects should be discarded. Continued use of defective components may result in catastrophic failure and personal injury. Unless authorized by the factory in writing, changes by anyone except the factory such as cutting, welding or permanently attaching other material or products cancels all warranty.