At my engineering job, I used to occasionally design and supervise the use of special rigging gear
and attach fixtures to high value equipment, and where people would be under it when lifted, so doubly
important. I also was involved in the engineering investigation of a really serious rigging
error which seriously injured two and nearly killed one of them. That was a second story
level situation inside the factory, very bad when the work platform went over onto a large
lathe. I also learned a good bit watching REAL riggers setting up to lift and move stuff like
60" diameter by 20ft bed length lathes, and 8 ft by 8 ft footprint CNC 5 axis mills. Those
guys know what they are doing.
I am confident of my abilities, but not at all suggesting that it is for everyone. It isn't a place to
discover that you didn't quite figure that setup correctly. People can get hurt, and badly. The
equipment damage potential is painful, but can be fixed with nothing more than money. Risk to
people is the real thing to worry about, and it is no joke. I paid $35 extra to get a heavy
compressor delivered by truck with a tailgate lift. Unfortunately, the company only had them on
semis and not a chance to get a semi back out of my shop parking if you were crazy enough to
drive in there. So, they loaded into my PU and I still had to lift it out with my little crane. Not
averse to professional help, just haven't been able to use it much.
Here is one where I definitely was happy to use the pros. Engineering on and installing art is a
side line that I do sometimes. Since I was going to be working under this, I was happy to have
a real crane crew there doing what I needed done. They did a really skillful job.
I loaded the Sheldon for Jeff, and he built a real nice skid to move it on. A good shop crane/engine
hoist with a 2 ton capacity is REALLY helpful when you need to move this stuff, but sometimes it
is time to call in the pros.
Bill