I was recently asked by a Plant Assessor user about the requirements for FOPS on a mobile crane and began to explain the finer details of AS 1418.5-2013 cranes, hoists and winches – Mobile cranes (EN 13000:2010, MOD) namely, “as a minimum, the roof of the crane operating cabin including windows in the roof shall be able to withstand the impact of a steel ball weighing 7kg, falling from a height of 2m, without plastic deformations exceeding 50mm”. The user was confused as to why I was talking about AS1418.5 when his survey asked about ISO 3471 and ISO 3449.
It then occurred to me that the machine we were talking about might not be a mobile crane. I asked for a description of the machine at the centre of the discussion. It had a telescopic boom and a hoisting mechanism, was self-propelled and capable of 360-degree slewing. Sounds like a mobile crane to me I thought. However… it also had a fork and bucket attachment.
It is completely understandable that the user thought that it was a mobile crane. With the hoisting mechanism fitted it looks just like a mobile crane. Even the manufacturer describes the machine as a telescopic crane!
However, in Plant Assessor the machine is assigned to the type “Telescopic Handler – Slewing”. How and why did we make this decision?
As always, the answer requires a detailed explanation of the thorough process followed when assigning a model to a machine type in Plant Assessor. When deciding what machine type to add a model to, as a minimum we must consider the machines intended use, its design features and attachments. This often leads to numerous other questions surrounding Australian and International standards. In this case, the design features and attachments suggest the following –
• The telescopic boom suggests crane or tele handler
• The bucket suggests earthmoving or material handling
• The 360 degree slewing suggests mobile crane or slewing tele handler
• The fork attachment suggests lift truck or material handling
Based on the key design features, the machine appears to be either a mobile crane or a slewing tele handler. Both machine types have a dedicated Australian Standard. These standards contain a scope which defines the machines that the standard applies to.
Firstly we look at AS 1418.5-2013 Cranes, hoists and winches Mobile cranes (EN 13000:2010, MOD).
The scope contains the following:
“This European Standard is applicable to the design, construction, installation of safety devices, information for use, maintenance and testing of mobile cranes as de ned in ISO 4306-2 with the exception of loader cranes (see 3.1.1 of EN 12999:2002). Examples of mobile crane types and of their major parts are given in Annexes A and B.”
The pictures in Annex A shows one machine that looks similar to the machine in question.
For AS 1418.19-2007 Cranes, hoists and winches – Telescopic handlers, the scope contains the following –
“This Standard applies to self-propelled non-slewing and slewing, not greater than 5° either side of the longitudinal axis, of seated rider-operated telescopic handlers (hereinafter referred to as ‘telehandlers’), as de ned in Clause 1.3.31, intended to handle loads, including freely suspended loads, using one of the attachments de ned in Clause 1.3.
NOTE: Attachments may be mounted directly on the lifting means or on an auxiliary mast fixed at the end of the lifting means.
Telescopic handlers with the ability to slew greater than 5° will have to comply with AS 1418.5 in addition to the requirements of this Standard”
After referring to the clauses it becomes clear that this machine is a slewing tele handler.
Just in case you are wondering, the Plant Assessor assessment for slewing tele handler’s covers both the requirements of AS1418.19-2007 Cranes, hoists and winches – Telescopic handlers as well as the necessary requirements of AS1418.5-2013 Cranes, hoists and winches – Mobile cranes (EN 13000:2010, MOD).
If you ever have any questions regarding the Plant Assessor machine type your machine is assigned or any other technical type enquiry please call 1300 728 852 or send your question to info@assessor.com.au
– Paul Dean, Technical Director
Disclaimer: This information is intended to provide general information on the subject matter. This is not intended as legal or expert advice for your specific situation. You should seek professional advice before acting or relying on the content of this information.