In order to comply with BHP’s Fatal Risk Control Protocol (FRCP) 10, Konecranes developed a type of load indicating cell with a digital readout. The conventional overload device on a chain hoist is a slipping clutch, which was not capable of supplying information to a load information display.Konecranes said its solution was different from conventional strain gauges that interrupt the chain and can be used only on chain hoists with two drops. The crane specialist said the load sensing device was integrated into the connection pins present on a standard chain hoist, so that there was no loss of lifting height, which occurs with the conventional method.Two load pins, which provide a signal for the load display, are inserted in the connection point that is normally reserved for standard connection pins. Each load pin is capable of lifting 3.1 tonnes, which is greater than the total lifting capability.“We are very proud of our solution,” said Konecranes WA contracts manager Kevin Williams. “The Konecranes FRCP 10 compliant chain hoist is extremely durable, and all connections can measure to an accuracy of plus or minus 1 per cent.”The 22 high-duty chain hoists that Konecranes has replaced at the BHP Billiton Port Hedland facility are in the flashbutt rail welding area, handling long lengths of rail. Konecranes said more BHP Billiton crane upgrades were planned.
