Suspension Equipment

Cranes

USGS Type A Crane with
Three-Wheel Truck- Model 4300

The Type A crane is a collapsible crane intended for measuring discharge or sediment sampling from bridges. It attaches to either the Type A three-wheel truck or the Type A four-wheel truck. The crane is made from structural aluminum and stainless steel material. The crane includes a reel mount drilled to accommodate the A-55, B-56 and E-53 sounding reels. It is easily put up and folded down into an easily carried size with no nuts and bolts to put in or remove. The USGS 12-volt electrical power drive unit attaches to this crane with no adaptation necessary. Approximate weight of the crane is 45 pounds (20kg). The Type A three-wheel truck, when attached to a Type A crane, is a popular bridge measuring outfit which is used for weights up to 100 pounds (46 kg). The Type A three-wheel truck consists of a two-wheel base assembly, a third (roadside) wheel, and all necessary chassis components. The two-wheel subassembly can be removed with two 3/8 inch (1.0 cm) wing nuts to compactly store the collapsible crane. This unit is easier to set up, operates in a narrower space, and is more maneuverable than the four-wheel truck, also available for the Type A crane. When in use, the crane is tipped up and stands on the two inside wheels while the crane rests on the bridge railing so the boom is extended 3 feet (1 m) out over the river. It is, however, less stable with heavier weights, and the boom on the crane does not extend as far as it does on the four- wheel truck. The approximate weight of the truck is 25 pounds (11 kg).

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A liquid-filled (colored antifreeze) protractor, to obtain the vertical angle of the sounding line is available as an accessory for the Type A and E crane. The protractor measures vertical angles from -25 degrees to +90 degrees. A USGS wet-line correction chart also is included with the protractor.

 

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Adaptor for Type A Crane

This adaptor is used on the Type A Crane with a three-wheel base. It is intended for use on bridges that have an offset (approximately 7 inches) at the bottom of the concrete guardrail. This effect causes the base to lean too far, which makes it unstable and dangerous to use. When installed on a Type-A Crane, this adapter realigns the crane parallel to the guardrail. This adapter is constructed from aluminum angles, a support rod and attachment hardware (same as power drive mount). The unit easily attaches to the crane.  

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USGS Type A Crane with Four-Wheel Truck
Model 4350

The Type A four-wheel truck attaches to a Type A crane also. The rear assembly is adjustable in a vertical direction so that the platform surface will remain parallel with the road surface when operated on curbs or sidewalks. One front and one rear wheel swivels for steering. The handle is collapsible, folding up underneath the truck for ease of transportation and storage. Up to four, Model 4310 60-pound (27-kg) counter-weights may be used as ballast when using heavy sounding weights or samplers. The 150- pound (68-kg) sounding weight is the maximum to be used with this assembly. The Type A four-wheel truck is made from aluminum stock with stainless steel shafts and solid hard-rubber tires. The width is 31 inches (91 cm). The truck weighs approximately 85 pounds (39 kg.) 

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USGS Type E Heavy-Duty Crane and Truck - Model 4400

The Type E crane is used with the Type E truck when making discharge measurements of large rivers where heavy weights or sediment samplers are required. The Type E crane is collapsible for compact storage, and is made from aluminum stock with stainless steel bolts and stainless steel shafts. The reel mount is drilled to install a Type A-55, B-56 or E-53 sounding reel. The power drive unit for the sounding reel clamps to the crane assembly. This crane may be used for any of the sounding weights or samplers, but it is usually used for those from 100 pounds (45 kg) and up. The crane is sold complete with a colored anti-freeze protractor to measure the vertical angle of the sounding line. The protractor measures angles from -25 to +90 degrees. A USGS stream velocity correction chart based on the measured angle is included with the protractor. The approximate weight of the crane is 60 pounds (27 kg.) The Type E truck is intended to be used with the Type E crane. It does not have adjustable curbside wheels as the Type A crane does. The truck has a handle, which folds underneath the crane for storage and holds up to five 60-pound (27 kg) counterweights (ordered separately). The truck is made from aluminum stock, and has a width of 34 inches (86 cm) and a length of 42 inches (106 cm). The approximate weight of the truck is 100 pounds (45 kg.).  

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60 lb. counterweight for Type A and E crane four-wheel trucks. The Type A truck will hold up to four counterweights and the Type E truck up to five.    

Boom extension for Type E Crane. Used to extend the reach of the E-crane boom 18 inches when additional clearance is required.

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USGS Texas Boom Assembly

The USGS Texas Boom Assembly is a truck or trailer mounted boom assembly which is adjustable and expandable for sounding reel measurements or sampler operation from a bridge. This is a field proven design that has a built-in power chain drive hoist with reel cover to move the boom out over the side of the vehicle. This Boom Assembly can be used with up to 300 lbs. sounding weights and samplers. It is designed to be used with the power drive unit.

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USGS Wichita Boom Assembly

The USGS Wichita Boom Assembly is a sliding base for a Type A or Type E crane that attaches across a pick-up truck bed or utility trailer for bridge-crane measurements. The Wichita Boom Assembly is a much simpler version of the Texas Boom that is slid back and forth without a power chain drive hoist. A base two rail assembly mounts across the vehicle bed and the crane can slide into position for measurements or back to the other side for moving to the next station. The unit incorporates a lazy-Susan type swivel so that it can be easily used from either side of the vehicle. 

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