Bad Install...
- Thread starterEboy87
- Start date
May or may not be a poor install. Could be the batten got snagged on an end and caused a couple of the lines to go slack. Seen that before where someone pulls on the purchase line until they can't pull any further (because of the snag), calls it good enough, and takes a couple hours for anyone to notice the slacked off lines or the batten caught up in some cables or on some scenery.
Could also be someone mucked up the trim chains and the batten isn't sufficiently leveled out. Could also be that the batten is loaded such that it's deflecting near some lift lines but not others, causing some lines to be taking the brunt of the load and others are just there for the ride (though that seems like a wee bit much slack for that to be the case here).
Depending on how recent the install was and if the issues are how everything was installed, I'd press the rigging contractor to come in and fix it. Can't rule out user error though based on just this photo, at least for the slacked off lines.
Could also be someone mucked up the trim chains and the batten isn't sufficiently leveled out. Could also be that the batten is loaded such that it's deflecting near some lift lines but not others, causing some lines to be taking the brunt of the load and others are just there for the ride (though that seems like a wee bit much slack for that to be the case here).
Depending on how recent the install was and if the issues are how everything was installed, I'd press the rigging contractor to come in and fix it. Can't rule out user error though based on just this photo, at least for the slacked off lines.
Couldn't agree more. While there shouldn't be slack in any of the lift lines, theres a lot of possible causes. Also, what looks like a massive amount of slack really is very little length difference... that could be 1" or less total slack in that line. I had one not too long ago that makes that look like nothing... it was maybe 2-3" of slack on one of our lift lines. Inspected the entire cable path, no issues, eventually figured out it was a slight bend in the batten which had rolled since it was trimmed (yes, the bend has been inspected, documented, and is not a safety issue).
Good Morning-
In my opinion, this is likely a common occurrence that I have seen quite often over the years. This usually happens on the shortest lift line of a line set. When the batten is empty and it's flown all the way out so the arbor is down, the vertical weight of the lift line that is on the offstage side of the head block can be heavy enough that it slightly lifts the batten end. The location where this lift line attaches to the arbor would also indicate that it is one of the end lift lines.
This doesn't mean that someone should not have a look at it to make sure everything is okay however.
In my opinion, this is likely a common occurrence that I have seen quite often over the years. This usually happens on the shortest lift line of a line set. When the batten is empty and it's flown all the way out so the arbor is down, the vertical weight of the lift line that is on the offstage side of the head block can be heavy enough that it slightly lifts the batten end. The location where this lift line attaches to the arbor would also indicate that it is one of the end lift lines.
This doesn't mean that someone should not have a look at it to make sure everything is okay however.
BillConnerFASTC
Well-Known Member
No. The shell is motorized dead haul - no arbors. I'm guessing because it's kind of full and banded it's an intermediate traveler. Arbors are 6' but I think 7" wide weights - 1300 pounds when full.
PS: I am obviously in error here, having misidentified the installation as one of mine, and I now know it is a different one. I'm guessing that is the shell set and uses clips instead of swages because the lines are 3/8".
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BillConnerFASTC
Well-Known Member
Probably for 10-15 years I specified drop forged steel cable clips - Crosbies. It's only been the last 15-20 that I have allowed malleable copper oval sleeve fittings - nicopress. (I have not ever specified clove hitches and friction tape - which was accepted industry practice for years) It's not a real concern for me - especially on 1/4" wire rope at 10:1 design factors. 80% seems insignificant - when you look at that set that I think I know and is 7 - 1/4" lines - around 50,000 pounds at breaking strength - so even derated to 40,000 - seems plenty safe with a maximum arbor capacity of 1300. Even one line with breaking strength derated to 80% of 7000 or 5600 is still 4+ times the max load.
Frankly, if the photo is the project I'm thinking of, something has changed, because I don't recall crosbies anywhere. Maybe it isn't the school i'm thinking of. Like I was told a long time ago - paint it all black and you can't tell whose equipment it is.
Frankly, if the photo is the project I'm thinking of, something has changed, because I don't recall crosbies anywhere. Maybe it isn't the school i'm thinking of. Like I was told a long time ago - paint it all black and you can't tell whose equipment it is.
BillConnerFASTC
Well-Known Member
I should have looked for more signs. Disregard my specific comments - unless someone changed all the arbor shoes - its not the project I thought it was. I'm pretty sure that is not Clancy hardware. And the photos of the project I was thinking of clearly show the wall is block, not poured or smooth. Sigh of relief.
More on Crosbies - like I said - I rarely see them - but in looking at my photos of another CPS project I did design - I see that the transition from roller chain to 3/8" wire rope uses a Crosby clamps. I suspect that is because of the significantly more expensive and rarely used crimp tool required for 3/8"?
More on Crosbies - like I said - I rarely see them - but in looking at my photos of another CPS project I did design - I see that the transition from roller chain to 3/8" wire rope uses a Crosby clamps. I suspect that is because of the significantly more expensive and rarely used crimp tool required for 3/8"?
I don't have a problem with real Crosbies - if used correctly. I feel that for every Crosbies installed wrong, somewhere out there is also a swage sleeve installed wrong as well.
Who out there has a 3/8 swage tool in their shop? The cheapest hydraulic ones are still several thousands of dollars.
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Who out there has a 3/8 swage tool in their shop? The cheapest hydraulic ones are still several thousands of dollars.
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Christopher Cook
Member
I would mirror what other have said. The slack most likely due to the batten getting hung up on another line and bent the batten. Rigging looks like mine which was done by Custom Rigging Systems out of North Carolina. Last thing I was told is that they are no longer a company. I have crosby's with a safety pin.
Well at least they have *some* of the correct hardware (even if it's not properly installed)...
Christopher Cook
Member
Is that one of those cut the rope and watch It fall models?
Well, for one, thats not a hemp house, thats a very poor attempt at a counterweight system that uses hemp for the hand lines. Second, I don't see why a hemp house would be illegal. Sure, its impractical to build a hemp and sandbag only house, but a pinrail and hemp setup to complement a counterweight system can be very useful.
Doesn't get any worse than this . . .
I think I saw this episode of Gilligan's Island. Although I thought the Professor used coconuts instead of bricks.
