Tighter rules spark concerns

Europe: A revision to the rated capacity limiter section of the European EN 13000 standard for mobile cranes has met strong opposition from crane users, especially in the US.

The plan is to replace the existing key that overrides all cut off functions of the rated capacity limiter with a set up button. This button will allow the crane to be rigged and de-rigged but, in operation, no override of the rated capacity limiter will be possible. “As such any misuse of the override key to increase capacities is avoided,” according to European manufacturers' association Federation Europeenne de la Manutention (FEM), which provided the EN 13000 details.

The association added that in deadlock situations it will be possible to raise the shut-off limit to 110% of the load chart by pressing the set up button to allow the crane to be returned to normal operation. Speed will be reduced to 15% of normal.

In response to the concerns, at least one manufacturer has offered an alternative. For countries outside the European Union, with 75% or 85% load charts, Liebherr said its cranes will continue to be delivered with a rated capacity limiter, as they are now, with the current functions. It should be noted, however, that these cranes will not get the CE-mark, a recognized European standards certificate.

In general, Liebherr said all its cranes will get the data logging system that is part of the revision.

The revision to the European Standard EN 13000: 2004 Cranes – Mobile Cranes will come into force on 1 January 2010 for all manufacturers delivering cranes to the European market.

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