Had a main hoist brake fail on a 250-ton crawler crane in Dallas last Tuesday.

We were setting a big steel beam, maybe 20 feet off the ground, when the load just started to drop. I hit the emergency stop and the secondary brake caught it, but my heart was pounding. The mechanics found a cracked spring in the brake housing. Anyone else had a close call with a hoist brake on a big machine?

3 comments

3 Comments

angela_dixon2mo ago

Ever think those secondary systems were just for show? That sound of it catching would change your mind fast.

rosew372mo ago

Remember that weird hum my old car made?

rivera.henry1mo ago

Man, @angela_dixon is right about that sound changing your mind. I'd rather hear a backup brake catch than have to explain why a beam ended up in a minivan. Glad your spare parts actually did their job.