Switched from manual tag lines to a remote control setup on a Liebherr and nearly dropped a 4-ton beam.

The magnetic mount failed 60 feet up because I didn't check the temp rating like the manual said, and now I'm wondering how many other guys have had these wireless systems crap out on them in cold weather?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_claire7d ago

Back when I was running a small crew on a bridge job, we had a similar wireless setup for the boom truck. It was maybe 15 degrees out and the remote just froze up mid lift. Not the battery, not the receiver, just dead. Had to scramble for the manual override while the load was swinging. Ended up tossing that thing in the trash and going back to tag lines. Cold weather kills these systems way more than anyone admits. I'd bet half the guys using them have a story like yours but won't say anything because they don't want to look stupid for trusting the tech. You're not alone on this one.

wood.uma7d ago

Funny you mention that cold weather thing, it reminds me of a buddy who does forestry work up in Maine. He said he tried one of those wireless winch remotes back when they first came out, worked fine in the summer but come January it'd just sit there blinking like a confused Christmas light. Sent it back to the manufacturer twice, they said it was fine, he finally just chucked it in a drawer and went back to a wired pendant. Its like these companies test them in a climate controlled lab at 70 degrees and call it good. People don't talk about it because they feel like they got sold a bill of goods, nobody wants to admit they spent good money on something that can't handle a little frost.

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