Some crawler crane manufacturers issue barge charts for various maximum barge deck tilt angles. For this reason, crane manufacturers generally do not issue percentage de-rate advice for their cranes on barges. The calculations to accurately establish this are complex and specialised. Conversely, if the crane is a very long boom crane on a relatively small barge, then the tilt angle is higher and therefore the required de-rate percentage is significant. To demonstrate - if the crane is a mini crane on a huge aircraft carrier then the deck slope is almost nil, and thus it is likely no de-rate is required. It can be hard to wrap your head around this. Heal is the longitudinal tilt angle of the deck relative to horizontal, and list is the side tilt angle. The answer is not so simple as it depends on the heal and list of the barge under load. A basic guide for barge width, assuming a length and width ratio of 3, is as follows:ДЄnother common misunderstanding is what percentage de-rate to apply to the crane chart for use on a barge. Longer (4:1) is better to tow, but shorter and wider is better for crane stability. Flat top barges suitable for cranes typically range from 4:1 to 2:1 length to width ratio. The other important characteristic to consider when selecting a barge for cranes is the ratio of the length to the width. It is better to describe crane barges by length and width, as these are the important parameters for determining what is required to carry a certain sized crane. This information is not really relevant when considering barge sizes for a crane. For example, a 50m x 18m barge is often described as a 1000t capacity barge. I can provide some general guidelines as a starting point here, but a Naval Architect must look at your specific lift circumstances.Д«arges are often described by their loaded mass or the carrying capacity. Crane and barge sizeДЄ common question is вЂњWhat size barge do I need for a particular size crane?вЂќ To confidently answer this question for a specific lift, a qualified Naval Architect should be engaged to analyse the stability and suitability of a barge for any crane, configuration and load. There are a few common misunderstandings about cranes on barges, some of which I will talk about here.

You will read about several incidents in this issue that in some cases sadly resulted in fatalities and in other cases thankfully just near misses. There have been some catastrophic accidents where proper consideration has not been given to the unique factors at play when we put heavy machinery onto the water. But the added complexity and safety risks of cranes on barges must be taken seriously. On a barge, the crane is subject to the heal and list of the barge, and the barge is subject to the ebbs and flows of water.Д¬rane barge work is exciting for lift engineers and planners, crane drivers, and dogmen alike as we get the opportunity to use our machinery in interesting and unique locations. Crane barge work adds additional risks to the usual crane industry management and safety issues. But what about when you donвЂ™t have the luxury of solid earth under your crane wheels or tracks? When your lift requires you to place your crane on the water, things get a lot more complicated. By Albert Smith, Lifting Matters Chief SponsorД®ngineering and planning for crane lifts on dry land is complex enough, requiring consideration of load dimensions, pick and place positions and boom radius, ground conditions and environmental factors.

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