Chose manual rigging over the fancy new spreader beam today...

Had a job this morning lifting a 12-ton HVAC unit onto a roof in Phoenix. The site foreman wanted me to use this brand new adjustable spreader beam they just bought, but I've never used one before and didn't want to risk it on a tight rooftop. So I went with my old four-leg chain slings and a master link setup I've been using for 8 years. The lift went smooth, got it placed within an inch of the curb, took maybe 15 extra minutes on rigging but zero stress. Now I'm wondering if I'm just being stubborn about new gear... has anyone else stuck with old methods and regretted it later?

2 comments

2 Comments

piper_flores691mo ago

Zero stress" is the key phrase there, man. My whole life is built on zero stress decisions. I still use a 15 year old come-along that's held together with duct tape and prayers. Every time I pull it out my apprentice gives me this look like I'm gonna summon a demon. Call me stubborn but I'd rather look like a dinosaur on the job site than have a new fancy spreader beam drop a load because I didn't read the manual correctly. Plus, that extra 15 minutes you saved in stress is worth way more than the 15 minutes you might save with new gear. Old faithful never lets you down, just makes you look like you crawled out of a 1990s safety video.

oliver_fisher1mo ago

Ha, your apprentice probably thinks you're gonna summon a safety inspector from the grave!