Crane Load Radius and Boom-Tip Height from Boom Geometry

Turns the boom-angle-indicator reading into the load RADIUS the load chart is indexed by.

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Example

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Details, formula, and sources

radius = boom-foot offset from the center pin + boom length x cos(angle); tip height = boom-foot height + boom length x sin(angle). A 30 ft boom at 60 degrees off a foot 4 ft out and 6 ft up puts the hook at a 19 ft radius and 32 ft tip height; lowering to 45 degrees swings it out to 25 ft. The inverse gives the angle for a target radius, acos((target - offset)/length), and flags a target beyond reach. RIGID-BOOM GEOMETRY ONLY -- boom deflection under load, rope stretch, and an out-of-level machine all INCREASE the real radius and cut capacity. The load chart, the load-moment indicator, and a qualified operator/lift director govern.

load_radius = boom_foot_offset + boom_length x cos(boom_angle); boom_tip_height = boom_foot_height + boom_length x sin(boom_angle); angle_for_target_radius = acos((target_radius - boom_foot_offset)/boom_length).

Crane boom geometry (load radius and tip height from boom length and angle), by name; the manufacturer's load chart and the load-moment indicator govern the rated capacity.

The radius/height relations are public plane trigonometry; the boom length, angle (off the boom-angle indicator), and geometry offsets are the operator's measured values.

Estimate. Head rigger and manufacturer working-load-limit charts govern. Inspect every piece of hardware before the show.

Field names used by the API: boom_length_ft, boom_angle_deg, boom_foot_offset_ft, boom_foot_height_ft, target_radius_ft, load_radius_ft, boom_tip_height_ft, angle_for_target_radius_deg

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