18.04.2008

New remote-release crane hook

A new remote-release crane hook – Rig-Release - has been introduced by Sydney-based Kennards Lift and Shift in Australia. The hook, is said to be easily attached to any crane or lifting device and can be released remotely from the ground or crane cab, eliminating the need for workers to climb or crawl into difficult positions to unhook rigging.
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The new Rig-Release from Kennards Lift and Shift

The unit has been designed specifically for tasks such as placing vertical poles or columns into position, centre lifting with a choke hitch or lifting into a vat or similar, difficult-to-access structure.
Two options are available. The first is a manual unit, for use with loads up to five tonnes where the operator on the ground uses a cable to release the hook.
The second option, for loads of up to two tonnes, is fully radio-remote controlled.
Allen Besseling, the managing director of Kennards Lift and Shift, said Rig-Release was developed in the US by the Caldwell Group, which has more than 50 years experience with innovative lifting solutions. “They believe their latest invention will spark a revolution in rigging safety,” Allen Besseling said. “Although we have only just introduced it in Australia, we have had a lot of interest from crane companies.”
“The process is very simple. The Rig-Release hooks to your crane or spreader beam and you then attach the lifting sling or slings directly to it. Once the load is set and the load line is slack, you pull the release cord or activate the radio remote control to release the sling or slings.”
Allen Besseling said Rig-Release had obvious safety advantages in certain situations.
“The unit has been designed and manufactured so that unintentional release cannot occur,” Allen Besseling said. “From an efficiency point of view, it does away with the need for a person to unhook the rigging, reduces installation time, allows faster work and requires only one person on the ground to release the rigging.”