What should be the order of loading and unloading counterweights?

What should be the order of loading and unloading counterweights?

• A. Arbor collars should be loaded first.
• B. Counterweights should be loaded and unloaded together.
• C. Counterweights should be the first thing loaded and the last thing unloaded.
• D. Counterweights should be the last thing loaded and the first thing unloaded.

Answer: (D)

Counterweights are there to balance the system, and how you sequence them affects stability during both setup and teardown. Loading the counterweights last keeps the rest of the crane or hoist lighter and easier to maneuver while you’re aligning, securing, and leveling the base and attachments. With everything else in place, the crane is more stable when you finally add the ballast to achieve proper balance. Conversely, during dismantling you want to reduce the load first by removing the counterweights at the start of the teardown, so the remaining structure is lighter and less prone to tipping as you disconnect and remove other components. In short, add ballast at the end of assembly and remove it at the beginning of disassembly to maintain safer balance throughout the operation.

Counterweights are there to balance the system, and how you sequence them affects stability during both setup and teardown. Loading the counterweights last keeps the rest of the crane or hoist lighter and easier to maneuver while you’re aligning, securing, and leveling the base and attachments. With everything else in place, the crane is more stable when you finally add the ballast to achieve proper balance. Conversely, during dismantling you want to reduce the load first by removing the counterweights at the start of the teardown, so the remaining structure is lighter and less prone to tipping as you disconnect and remove other components. In short, add ballast at the end of assembly and remove it at the beginning of disassembly to maintain safer balance throughout the operation.