Top Things You Should Know About the Counterweights When Using a Crane
If you're going to be using a crane—such as if you're preparing to buy one for your company, or if you're thinking about renting one for a short-term project—then you'll need to know as much about cranes and their operation as possible. This means that you should learn about their different parts and components. The average crane has a boom, hook, wire rope and more. It also should have counterweights, which you should learn a little more about. These are some of the things you'll want to know about counterweights when you're working with a crane.
They Perform an Important Job
First of all, each of the different parts and components of a crane is typically very important. This is true for the counterweights, too. Basically, without the counterweights, there is a much bigger chance that the crane will actually tip over. Not only can this cause serious damage to the crane, but it can be incredibly dangerous for the crane operator and the people in the surrounding area, too. Plus, even if this does not happen, you won't be able to properly lift heavy weights without counterweights, and you might find that the crane itself is a lot more difficult to operate.
They're Usually Adjustable
Most cranes come with adjustable counterweights. This is because the counterweights need to be set at different weights, depending on the specific job that is being worked on. When working with your crane, it's very important for you to use the right calculations when determining how your counterweights should be set. There is a specific mathematical formula that you can use when determining this calculation, and there are even special calculators online that you can use. Make sure that you do this and that you know how to properly adjust the counterweights on the crane that you're using so you can avoid any problems.
They're Often Made from Iron
You could be wondering what your counterweights will be made from. In many cases, they are made from iron. Some people have tried concrete counterweights and other types of counterweights, but iron is a favourite for a few reasons. Iron counterweights are typically reasonably priced, and they are made from recycled materials. They work very effectively as counterweights. Therefore, if your crane is equipped with iron counterweights, you should not have to worry about them not working like they're supposed to. If your crane does not yet have counterweights, then you may want to consider them over other types of counterweights.