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Part 2 of the 2-part article. Click here to read Part 1.

Continuing into Part 2 to understand the different aspects of the mobile heavy vehicle hoist industry, ensuring you choose the right hoist for your needs and budget.

Mobility and Manoeuvrability

Choose a hoist with suitable wheels and steering mechanisms to navigate your work environment efficiently, especially in tight spaces.

Both Endurequip and Finkbeiner are extremely mobile, allowing you to easily position them anywhere in the workshop for on-site repairs.

Long-Term Investment

Investing in a high-quality hoist is a long-term investment that will benefit from an extended lifespan, reduced maintenance costs, and a higher resale value.

Endurequip Portalift has a unique chain drive system featuring top-of-the-line RUD calibrated chain and pocket wheels, which lasts for decades even with frequent use. Finkbeiner has a hydraulic drive, which is virtually maintenance-free, saving money in the long run.

Manufacturer Reputation

Research the manufacturer's reputation for quality, reliability, and after-sales service. Look for companies with a track record of producing durable and dependable equipment.

RUD is a world-class engineering company that has been offering lifting, lashing, drive technology and bespoke engineered solutions in Australia for the last 40 years. Finkbeiner is reputed around the world for its state-of-the-art design, quality, and reliability having pioneered the first hydraulic hoist in 1967.

RUD is reputed for its extensive Australia-wide network of service agents for workshop lifting solutions.

Finding the Right Partner

Once you have narrowed down your requirements, choose a reputable company that can provide expert advice and support. A reliable company or distributor can assist with choosing the right model and commissioning it with ongoing service.

Investing in the Right Mobile Heavy Vehicle Hoist

Choosing a mobile heavy vehicle hoist is not just a purchase; it's an investment in your workshop’s efficiency, safety, and profitability. While the initial cost of a high-quality hoist might seem higher, it translates into long-term benefits. Investing in a robust and reliable hoist ensures smooth operations, minimal downtime, and a safer working environment, ultimately contributing to your success.

Summary

In Australia's diverse landscape, choosing the right mobile heavy vehicle hoist is crucial. Don't be swayed by low pricing which could potentially compromise safety and performance. Invest in a high-quality hoist to reap the benefits of durability, reliability, and long-term cost savings.

Remember, a quality hoist is an investment in your business's efficiency and safety, contributing to its success for years to come.

If you want more details of our heavy vehicle lifting solutions, call Brett on 0439 707 805 or email him here.

Article copyright to RUD Group. This information is accurate at the time of publication, and RUD Australia takes no responsibility for any errors, inadvertent or otherwise. 

This is a 2 part article.

Australia's vast and diverse landscape, scattered from bustling metropolises to remote outback towns, requires reliable and robust equipment. A mobile heavy vehicle hoist is an indispensable tool for maintenance, repairs, and inspections for businesses operating in the truck and bus maintenance and repair industries. However, navigating the vehicle hoist market can be challenging, with a wide choice of brands and models varying in quality and price.

This article will help you understand the different aspects of the mobile heavy vehicle hoist industry, ensuring you choose the right hoist for your needs and budget.

Understanding Australian Landscape

Australia's unique geography dictates different requirements for mobile hoists. In metros along the east and west coast, the workshop layout and space limitations can influence the choice of hoists. Also, the use of technology is more prevalent in metros, where there is a high demand for devices that work on wireless signals. In contrast, the outback demands heavy-duty models capable of handling harsh weather conditions. Hence, a robust hoist is preferred, which can withstand the rigours of the dusty and harsh outback.

A Balancing Act between Quality and Price

There are many hoist companies in Australia that differ in quality, features, and price. It is a well-known fact that most of the time, the cheapest purchase can work out more expensive in the long run. Cutting corners on quality can lead to costly consequences. While price can appear attractive during purchase, it is important to consider the build and safety features to ensure your team is confident to work on vehicles when they are hoisted in the air.

Below are some points you need to consider when choosing a mobile heavy vehicle hoist:

Lifting Capacity

Determine the maximum weight you need to lift, ensuring the hoist has sufficient capacity to handle your specific needs.

RUD Heavy Vehicle Hoists - Endurequip and Finkbeiner are built to handle a wide range of heavy vehicles. We offer lifting capacities from 30 to 170 tonnes in combination with up to 20 hoist sets.

Durable Construction

Choose hoists that are built with high-grade steel and robust components that are designed to withstand heavy loads and frequent use.

Both Endurequip (Made in Australia) and Finkbeiner (Made in Germany) hoists are built with quality steel, ensuring quality construction during manufacture. Endurequip is built to the strictest Australian standards (2550.9.1996, AS/NZS 2538:2004, ISO9001) and is the only Australian-made and Australia’s No. 1 mobile heavy vehicle hoist.

Advanced Safety Features

Check for multiple safety mechanisms, including emergency lowering systems and locking mechanisms, to ensure the safety of both personnel and equipment.

Both Endurequip and Finkbeiner include a range of safety features, such as emergency stops, remote control, and a keyed safety lock to ensure your team works safely and confidently on every heavy vehicle repair job.

To be continued ... Click here for Part 2

Article copyright to RUD Group. This information is accurate at the time of publication, and RUD Australia takes no responsibility for any errors, inadvertent or otherwise. 

Part 2 of the 2-part article. Click here to read Part 1.

Load securing during transportation faces many challenges, especially when dealing with loads that have sharp edges. The sharp edges pose a risk to the integrity of lashing equipment and can potentially lead to accidents, jeopardising the safety of vehicle occupants and other road users. Hence, understanding the potential dangers associated with sharp edges is critical to ensure safe and efficient transportation. Read Part 2 below.

Reduction of Lashing Capacity

With loads where the lashing chain goes over sharp edges, we recommend reducing the Lashing Capacity (LC) by 25% or using a larger chain size. The Load Restraint Guide 2018 of the National Transport Commission (NTC) outlines the rules for lashing loads with sharp edges.

For example, if a lashing chain has a rated capacity of 10,000 daN, the effective securing capacity with a sharp corner load would be reduced by 25%, to 7500 daN.

ICE Grade 120 Lashing Chains

ICE Grade 120 lashing chain can replace a Grade 80 lashing chain of the next largest nominal thickness in direct lashing. ICE 120 is lighter than Grade 80 by 45% and has a breaking force up to 60% higher than Grade 80. This means that by using an ICE 120 lashing chain, you can have a large weight reduction with easier assembly and better safety.

How can Endless Chains help?

In situations where suitable lashing points are unavailable or the existing points are unsuitable, using hooks or shackles for connecting the lashing chain can expose the connecting element to bending stresses. This can compromise the integrity of the connection and lead to potential failure.

Endless chains, designed to eliminate the need for separate hooks or shackles, provide a safer alternative. With an endless chain, the lashing capacity remains consistent throughout the entire chain loop, eliminating the potential weak points associated with hooks or shackles. Moreover, doubling up an endless chain reduces the effects of sharp edges, as the load is distributed across a larger surface area, which limits the stress on individual chain links.

ICE-Endless-Chain and ICE-Multi-shortening Claw

When combined with the ICE-Endless Chain, the ICE-Multi-shortening claw forms a closed chain system that is easily adjustable and can be opened without tools. This flexibility allows for convenient use in situations where the load's dimensions may vary. This configuration is particularly beneficial for securing loads with unconventional shapes, such as stone blocks or concrete, which may lack dedicated lashing points.

The advantages of such a configuration are:

Conclusion:

Understanding and addressing the challenges posed by sharp edges during load securing is crucial for ensuring safe and efficient transportation. By implementing the guidelines of the Load Restraint Guide and utilising appropriate protective measures such as edge protectors and endless chains, we can effectively mitigate the risks associated with sharp edges, ensuring the integrity of the lashing equipment and the safety of all road users.

Article copyright to RUD Group. This information is accurate at the time of publication, and RUD Australia takes no responsibility for any errors, inadvertent or otherwise. 

This is a 2 part article.

Load securing during transportation faces many challenges, especially when dealing with loads that have sharp edges. The sharp edges pose a risk to the integrity of lashing equipment and can potentially lead to accidents, jeopardising the safety of vehicle occupants and other road users. Hence, understanding the potential dangers associated with sharp edges is critical to ensure safe and efficient transportation.

Sharp edges can cause considerable wear and tear on lashing equipment, primarily due to the concentrated stress they can impose on the lashing material. The repetitive bending and flexing of the lashing equipment as it goes over these edges can lead to fatigue, weakening the material and potentially causing failure. This failure can result in a sudden snap, a gradual weakening, or a distortion in the equipment's shape, resulting in a compromised load restraint system and a potential safety hazard.

In this article, we will address the question of what is considered a sharp edge and what measures should be taken to ensure safety when working with such angles.

Australian National Transport Commission and sharp edges

The National Transport Commission (NTC), in its Load Restraint Guide 2018, emphasises the importance of protecting lashing chains from sharp edges. This guide outlines a clear correlation between the sharpness of a corner and the chain's lashing capacity, highlighting the critical need to consider the load's geometry when selecting and using lashing equipment.

As per the guide, the lashing chain should be protected over sharp edges or rough surfaces to maintain its full lashing capacity.

When the corner radius (r) is less than the chain size (d), the chain's lashing capacity is reduced by 25%. The above figure is taken from the Australian Load Restraint Guide 2018.

Understanding the Corner Radius and Chain Diameter

When assessing load-securing options, the radius of the sharp edge should be considered in relation to the degree of flexibility of the lashing equipment. The corner radius (r) refers to the radius of the curve at the corner of the load, while the chain diameter (d) refers to the diameter of the chain link. Understanding the relationship between the two is critical because it influences the choice of lashing equipment.

To ensure safe and effective load securing, the corner radius should always be greater than the chain diameter. This ensures smooth chain movement over the corner without any risk of jamming, kinking, or undue stress. When the corner radius is less than the chain diameter, the chain experiences increased bending stress, leading to potential damage and reduced functionality.

Protective measures must be implemented to reduce the risk when the corner radius is smaller than the chain diameter. Edge protectors are an excellent option because they serve as an intermediary between the chain and the load, preventing direct contact and protecting the chain from premature wear and tear.

To be continued ...

Article copyright to RUD Group. This information is accurate at the time of publication, and RUD Australia takes no responsibility for any errors, inadvertent or otherwise. 

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