Can anyone point me in the right direction to find out where it is written down about the safe use of out-riggers on lorry mounted cranes (hi-ab's) It is common practice for drivers to deploy the outrigers on the side they are off loading to, but, if it is deemed unsafe due to traffic etc they do not deploy the off side. I add that they always deploy all of the feet. I have been informed that this is bad practice. I would like to have someting in writing to show my superiors. can anyone help please?

LOLER Regulation 4 & BS7121 PART 4 Lorry Loaders both mention the requirement for stability when lifting. I would suggest you need the 4 riggers to give you that stability. The problem arising at present is that there are so many lorry drivers driving vehicles with HI ABS and no Training certificates to allow them to operate them legally. Regards Alex

Not sure about the appropriate legislation but I do know when undertaking a Hi-Ab certification course you have to extend all outriggers in th e practical or you fail the course!

Thank you for your replies and links - I will definately use this forum more in the future

Sorry Dec not looking for confrontation . Clearly stated in Loler Reg 4 under stability if riggers fitted they must be used. I dont disagree with your comment on proper training by competent people but when the vehicle tips over as it only had 2 legs to stand on, so would the person who allowed it to be used like this. Not a regulation quoter I am a very practical person who deals daily with the problems you mention but for the initial question from the poster if fitted they need to be used. LOLER. The fact that Lorry Loaders /HI Abs are now a CPCS category is because they are now capable of lifting in excess of 30 Tons. With only 2 riggers out ?

ACOP TO REG 4 OF LOLER states "106 Where the safe use of the lifting equipment depends on the use or positioning of stabilising arrangements, the equipment should not be used unless these are in place and operating effectively" Note that it says "Where safe use depends on stabalisation" There is vast range of these lorry loaders. Some lorry loaders will be capable of lifting some loads without the the use of the outriggers. It depends on the load, jib extention required, and rated capability of the crane / loader. These cranes / loaders are also fitted with rated capacity indicators or limiters that warn of potential overload or prevents the overload situation. Steve

The answer depends on the specific crane that is installed on each vehicle. Some manufacturers offer systems that link outrigger deployment and boom position into the Rated Capacity Indicator. Such that on the side with the outrigger extended you have full capacity, but once the boom is slewed across the centreline of the vehicle onto the side where the outrigger is down but not extended out; the crane is automatically derated to much reduced capacity. If such a system is not included on your cranes, then the manufacturers will have only given a Rated Capacity [SWL] for the arrangement with both outriggers extended. If you use the crane in any other configuration then it will not have a valid marked rated capacity and you will be in breach of Reg7 LOLER irrespective of whether it was stable or not. Provided the loads you lift are sufficiently low you could try approaching the manufacturers or an independent lifting engineer and getting the whole crane derated to a capacity that can be safely achieved without extending either outrigger.

Dec No problems like you I just cringe when I see these things being used wrongly. Fortunately I never walk past lives mean to much. Thanks for being a gentleman. Alex

Guys, never lose sight of the common sense factor, when the load is on the bed of the vehicle it's load is spread over the whole vehicle and more so the wheels. When the load is taken up by the hi-ab arm it becomes a point load! The legs are not primarily a ballance device they are vehicle stability device as well, with the legs out, the load on the frame of the vehicle is directly transfered to the legs and IF they have been set out correctly they provide a weight transfer direct to the legs that firmly support tht load. If however, the legs are not out the load is transfered to the wheels, those soft air inflated systems that move when weight is put on them allowing the loads gravity point to swing about! The added motion of the softness of the wheels can make the load swing far more then it would when it has solid weight transfer to the outriggers! I suspect we can all see this when we look at a load being lifted and in an effort to put a legal basis to the argument, we sometimes overlook the simple argument that may have more sway (pun intended) with the driver. I hope this is of help L