Masco Crane & Hoist has seen a constant trend from our customers in making the change from pendant control stations to radio remote controls for their Overhead Crane and Hoisting operations. So why make the change from pendants to radio remote controls? It is a question that many of our customers ask when purchasing a new overhead crane system or retrofitting their existing crane. Below we will discuss the benefits and differences between a pendant control station and wireless radio remote control for your overhead cranes and hoists.
Pendant Control Stations hang from the hoist or separate festoon system/track of your crane and it limits the overall mobility for the crane operator when hoisting a load. This limited mobility can introduce the chance for the operator to put themselves in poor positions such as pinch points, confined areas, and closer to swinging loads or the possibility of a dropped load. Operating with a pendant may also require an additional worker to act as a signal person or spotter when performing a lift.
The wireless radio remote controls provide the operator with greater mobility, range of motion and they can also operate the crane performing their lifts from safe distances. Having greater mobility around hazards and obstacles in the facility such as benches, racks, machines, etc. provides the operator with the ability to avoid unsafe positions, but also prevents tangling and snagging of the pendant wire on these obstacles.
Radio remote controls have been proven through our customers feedback and experience to increase productivity, efficiency, and reduce operational costs when operating their cranes. Our customers believed that remote control systems were an expensive upgrade; however remote-control systems are costs effective compared to years ago.
When purchasing a remote-control system on a new or existing crane, you receive 2 remote controls so you always have a back-up in the case the working remote is damaged. If for some reason both remote controls have been damaged, you still will have the option of using the pendant control station that is tied up on the crane bridge for emergency use. Remote controls are now quick, and easy to install, are easily programmable, and parts are readily available for repairs
The technology has improved and changed considerably with remote control systems. They are more durable, flexible, versatile, ergonomically designed and are proven in extreme working conditions.
Having the ability to select and operate multiple cranes or hoists from one remote control system has reduced costs for our clients.
One of our clients performs tandem lifts using two or more cranes and by switching to a single remote-control system, it has eliminated the need for a second/third operator on a pendant and decreased the chance of operator error between the operators each using their own crane. One improvement we have seen that is a simple one, but effective has been the move towards powering the remote-control systems with “AA” batteries. This eliminates the chance of not charging or forgetting to charge the remote controls and finding they are dead when you need to use them. Now it is as simple as changing the batteries which have up to 100 hours of operational life.
Radio remote Controls are the safer and more efficient choice in crane operation. It has proven to be one of the more important retrofits we have completed for our clients on their existing crane systems. The benefits are overwhelming by choosing radio remote controls for your cranes and hoists.