Had a main hoist cable start to birdcage on a tower crane last Thursday

It was during a routine lift of some steel beams. I felt a small vibration through the controls and shut it down right away. Anyone else dealt with this on a Liebherr 200 HC-L? What's your go-to check before you call for a new cable?

3 comments

3 Comments

charles_black2425d ago

Shut it down right away, that was the smart move. Had the same thing happen on a 200 HC-L last year. My first check is always a full visual from the drum to the hook block, looking for any other kinks or broken wires the birdcage might have hidden. Then I run my hands over a good section of cable to feel for flat spots, you know? If it's just the one spot and the rest feels solid, sometimes you can cut it and re-terminate if you have enough wrap on the drum. But if there's any doubt, it's just steel and it's not worth the risk.

cameroncarr25d ago

Yeah, and that's the part where I always second-guess my own eyes for a second. Good call, charles_black24, on the hands-on check. I'll stare at a cable for ten minutes, then the second I close my eyes and run a glove over it, I find the flat spot I missed. Makes me feel real smart. Cutting and re-terminating always seems like a good idea until you're doing the math on drum wraps and just accept the new cable is cheaper than a bad day.

tessa_kelly4d ago

But how many wraps do you actually need to cut and re-terminate safely? Seems like a gamble if you're even a little short.