A rotating lifting bail comprising: a bail, a threaded connector comprising a threaded connection, a rotating mandrel, a housing, wherein the bail is attached to the housing via a connector, a thrust bearing, wherein the thrust bearing is disposed between the rotating mandrel and the housing, and a wherein the threaded connector is attached to the rotating mandrel via a jam bolt. Methods of using the rotating lifting bail are also disclosed.

A crane includes an overload safety device and a identifying unit. The overload safety device includes a maximum-load calculating unit configured to calculate a maximum load that a winch drum is capable of winding up with driving torques output from the remaining electric motors other than a failed electric motor identified by the identifying unit, an updating unit configured to update a set hoisting ability value stored in a storing unit to a value equal to the maximum load, and a control unit configured to cause the remaining electric motors to operate when a value of a load derived by a load deriving unit is equal to or smaller than a latest set hoisting ability value stored in the storing unit and stop the operation of the plurality of electric motors when the value of the load derived by the load deriving unit exceeds the latest set hoisting ability value.

A crane includes an overload safety device and a identifying unit. The overload safety device includes a maximum-load calculating unit configured to calculate a maximum load that a winch drum is capable of winding up with driving torques output from the remaining electric motors other than a failed electric motor identified by the identifying unit, an updating unit configured to update a set hoisting ability value stored in a storing unit to a value equal to the maximum load, and a control unit configured to cause the remaining electric motors to operate when a value of a load derived by a load deriving unit is equal to or smaller than a latest set hoisting ability value stored in the storing unit and stop the operation of the plurality of electric motors when the value of the load derived by the load deriving unit exceeds the latest set hoisting ability value.

A crane risk logic apparatus and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the crane risk logic apparatus, the crane risk logic apparatus is integral with a crane, such as a mobile or crawler crane or a tower crane, and located in communication with a load moment indicator. The crane risk logic apparatus receives crane data from the load moment indicator and determines various data analytics, such as, lift angle data, allowable capacity data, operator override data, anti-two-block activation data, operational time data, lift cycle count data, lift classification data, slewing speed data, wind speed data, warning message data, error message data, and winch direction and speed data for each crane lift cycle. The data analytics may be utilized to inform a crane operator evaluation or a crane maintenance schedule for the crane, for example.

A crane risk logic apparatus and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the crane risk logic apparatus, the crane risk logic apparatus is integral with a crane, such as a mobile or crawler crane or a tower crane, and located in communication with a load moment indicator. The crane risk logic apparatus receives crane data from the load moment indicator and determines various data analytics, such as, lift angle data, allowable capacity data, operator override data, anti-two-block activation data, operational time data, lift cycle count data, lift classification data, slewing speed data, wind speed data, warning message data, error message data, and winch direction and speed data for each crane lift cycle. The data analytics may be utilized to inform a crane operator evaluation or a crane maintenance schedule for the crane, for example.

A grappler overload protection system uses a load-measuring device to provide a first load indication for preventing the grappler from bearing an unsafe load when the first load indication exceeds a first limit. A grappler overload protection method determines a spread of grappler arms based on information from a first sensor, determines an expected weight of the load based on the spread of the grappler arms, and compares the expected weight to a first limit for preventing the grappler from bearing an unsafe load. The method may optionally determine an angle of a boom supporting the grappler for determining an expected torque on the boom based on the boom angle and the expected weight of the load. The method may take preventative measures to prevent the grappler from bearing the load when the expected weight exceeds the first limit or when the expected torque exceeds a second limit.

Various hoisting systems with anti-two-block sensing devices are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a crane having a hoisting line and an anti-two-block sensing device installed about the hoisting line. The anti-two-block sensing device includes an upper chandelier, a lower trigger assembly suspended from the upper chandelier, and a detector positioned to detect movement of the lower trigger assembly with respect to the upper chandelier. The lower trigger assembly can include two plates each having a hoisting line aperture and a slot that allows transverse installation of the plate about the hoisting line. Further, the two plates can be positioned such that their slots are offset from one another and the plates cooperate to fully surround the hoisting line. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.

Various hoisting systems with anti-two-block sensing devices are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a hoisting system having a hoisting line, a sleeve positioned on the hoisting line, and an anti-two-block sensing device installed about the hoisting line so as to allow the hoisting line to move through the anti-two-block sensing device. The anti-two-block sensing device includes a detector positioned to detect a sleeve component when the sleeve is present within the anti-two-block sensing device. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.

A tower crane, and in particular a hammerhead crane, having at least one crane operator elevator, wherein the at least one crane operator elevator is arranged inside the rectangular cross section of the crane tower.

A tower crane, and in particular a hammerhead crane, having at least one crane operator elevator, wherein the at least one crane operator elevator is arranged inside the rectangular cross section of the crane tower.