Hot take: I stopped using the load chart for every lift and it made me better

I got called out by an old timer on a job in Houston last year. He saw me checking the load chart for a simple pick of some steel beams, maybe 8 tons with a 50 ton crane. He said I was relying too much on the book and not feeling the machine. At first I thought he was nuts, but he showed me how he estimates by looking at the boom angle and listening to the hydraulics. I started practicing his method on smaller lifts and eventually stopped pulling the chart for routine stuff. Now I still use it for tricky loads or new setups, but I trust my gut way more. Has anyone else had a veteran change their whole approach like that?

2 comments

2 Comments

jakewilliams25d ago

The "feeling the machine" thing works great until a load chart discrepancy gets somebody killed.

ray_patel2724d ago

Isn't it the same with gut feelings in driving, cooking, or even relationships (you know, the "I just knew" thing)?