Dropped $400 on a load indicator system and it saved my butt last week

I work on a small construction site in Austin and we've been moving some heavy precast panels. My boss told me to just use my gut on the boom angle, but I went ahead and bought a used load indicator from a guy retiring. It was $400 and took me about 2 hours to install on my Grove RT. Last Tuesday I almost lifted a panel that was 2 tons over my limit at that radius, the alarm went off and I stopped just in time. Has anyone else used these on older cranes where the factory systems are busted?

3 comments

3 Comments

alicehernandez15h ago

That cheap system paid for itself quick, same thing happened to me last year.

logan_young2921h ago

Heard a guy at the parts counter say load indicators pay for themselves the first time they go off, sounds like you got proof of that. Good call grabbing that used one before something bad happened.

harpery4721h ago

Jump right in and agree with @logan_young29 that those things really do pay for themselves after one close call. That alarm going off probably saved you a lot more than $400 in damage or fines from the boss. I bet a lot of guys run their old cranes with no safety gear, and it's just a matter of time before something gets bent or someone gets hurt.