Aertssen Glossary

Anemometer

A device used to measure wind speed, critical for assessing conditions during heavy lifting operations.

• What is a heavy lift and how does it work?

  A heavy lift involves loads exceeding 50100 tons, demanding custom engineering studies over standard charts. It uses highcapacity cranes or SPMTs to distribute immense weight, pre…

Boom Deflection

The bending of a crane's arm when it takes the full weight of a load, which must be accounted for in lift planning.

• What is a heavy lift and how does it work?

  A heavy lift involves loads exceeding 50100 tons, demanding custom engineering studies over standard charts. It uses highcapacity cranes or SPMTs to distribute immense weight, pre…

Center of Gravity

The point in a body or system where the entire weight is concentrated, crucial for maintaining balance during heavy lifts.

• What is a heavy lift and how does it work?

  A heavy lift involves loads exceeding 50100 tons, demanding custom engineering studies over standard charts. It uses highcapacity cranes or SPMTs to distribute immense weight, pre…

Controlled Movement

The synchronization of winches and tracks to prevent swinging or sudden shifts in weight during lifting operations.

• What is a heavy lift and how does it work?

  A heavy lift involves loads exceeding 50100 tons, demanding custom engineering studies over standard charts. It uses highcapacity cranes or SPMTs to distribute immense weight, pre…

Counterweight Trays

Steel trays added to the rear of a crane to balance the load on the hook, enhancing stability during heavy lifts.

Custom Spreader Bars

Engineered bars used in rigging to distribute weight evenly and prevent loads from collapsing under their own weight.

• What is a heavy lift and how does it work?

  A heavy lift involves loads exceeding 50100 tons, demanding custom engineering studies over standard charts. It uses highcapacity cranes or SPMTs to distribute immense weight, pre…

Dynamic Loading

Sudden movements that cause a load to effectively double its weight for a split second, posing a risk during heavy lifting operations.

Fleet Mobilization

The process of transporting crane parts and equipment to a site, often involving multiple trucks and significant logistics.

Ground Improvement

The preparation of soil using gravel, steel plates, or concrete pads to support heavy lifting equipment.

Ground Mats

Steel or composite mats used to distribute the weight of heavy equipment over a larger area to prevent ground failure.

• What is a heavy lift and how does it work?

  A heavy lift involves loads exceeding 50100 tons, demanding custom engineering studies over standard charts. It uses highcapacity cranes or SPMTs to distribute immense weight, pre…

Ground Pressure

The pressure exerted on the ground by the weight of a load, which must be managed to prevent ground failure during a lift.

• What is a heavy lift and how does it work?

  A heavy lift involves loads exceeding 50100 tons, demanding custom engineering studies over standard charts. It uses highcapacity cranes or SPMTs to distribute immense weight, pre…

Heavy Lift

A heavy lift is any operation where the load exceeds standard rigging limits—usually 50 to 100 tons—requiring a custom engineering study rather than a standard lift chart.

• What is a heavy lift and how does it work?

  A heavy lift involves loads exceeding 50100 tons, demanding custom engineering studies over standard charts. It uses highcapacity cranes or SPMTs to distribute immense weight, pre…

Heavy Lifting

The specialized engineering discipline of moving ultraheavy or oversized loads, typically over 100 tons, that exceed the capacity of standard logistics.

High-Capacity Crane

A crane designed to lift extremely heavy loads, typically over 50100 tons, using specialized engineering and equipment.

High-Tensile Steel Shackles

Specialized connectors used in rigging to ensure that loads do not crush themselves under their own weight while hanging.

Hydraulic Gantries

Lifting systems that use hydraulic power to lift heavy loads, often used when cranes are not suitable.

• What is a heavy lift and how does it work?

  A heavy lift involves loads exceeding 50100 tons, demanding custom engineering studies over standard charts. It uses highcapacity cranes or SPMTs to distribute immense weight, pre…

Hydraulic Synchronization

The process of linking multiple SPMT units so they move as a single, perfectly level platform, ensuring stability during transport.

Jack & Slide

A method used for moving heavy objects like transformers into tight indoor spaces, capable of handling loads over 500 tons.

Lattice Boom Strength

The use of triangulated steel structures in cranes that provide immense lifting capacity with minimal selfweight.

Lattice Crawler

A type of crane with a lattice boom and crawler base, capable of lifting up to 3,000 tons and used for moving loads across a site.

Lattice-Boom Crane

A type of crane with a lattice structure that provides strength and stability for heavy lifting operations.

Load Distribution Mats

Thick steel or timber pontoons used to spread the 'footprint' of a crane over a large area to prevent ground failure.

Millimeter-Level Precision

The requirement for extremely accurate measurements and movements in heavy lifting, where even the smallest error can lead to failure.

Mobile Crane

A crane capable of lifting up to 1,200 tons, used for 'taxi' lifts where quick setup and removal are needed.

Modular Trailers

Trailers that can be linked together to transport large loads horizontally, often used in heavy lifting operations.

Rigging Study

A 3D analysis that accounts for every inch of clearance and every pound of pressure in planning a heavy lift operation.

Safety Envelope

The stable range within which a crane's center of gravity must remain to ensure safety during a lift.

Self-Propelled Modular Transporter (SPMT)

A SelfPropelled Modular Transporter is a modular trailer with axles that can turn 360 degrees and carry 40 tons, used for moving massive objects like bridge sections.

Also known as: SPMT

• What is a heavy lift and how does it work?

  A heavy lift involves loads exceeding 50100 tons, demanding custom engineering studies over standard charts. It uses highcapacity cranes or SPMTs to distribute immense weight, pre…

Soil Liquefaction

The process where saturated or loose ground shifts under immense pressure, posing a risk during heavy lifting operations.

Spreader Beam

A lifting device used to distribute the load evenly across multiple points, preventing damage to the load during hoisting.

Steel Pontoon Mats

Steel mats used to distribute weight and support the ground during heavy lifting operations.

Structural Engineer

A professional who designs and assesses the structural integrity of heavy lift operations, ensuring safety and precision.

• What is a heavy lift and how does it work?

  A heavy lift involves loads exceeding 50100 tons, demanding custom engineering studies over standard charts. It uses highcapacity cranes or SPMTs to distribute immense weight, pre…

Superlift

Extra weights that hang off the back of a crane to provide additional leverage and prevent tipping during heavy lifts.

Tandem Lift

A lifting operation where two cranes work together to lift a single object, requiring precise coordination.

Test Lift

A preliminary lift of a load just off the ground to verify calculations and ensure stability before proceeding with the full lift.

The Aertssen Strategy

A strategy of total project ownership where engineering takes precedence over machinery to ensure safe and efficient heavy lifting operations.

Tipping Point

The critical point at which a crane or lifting setup becomes unstable and risks tipping over due to excessive load or imbalance.

Weather Window

The optimal period of weather conditions suitable for conducting heavy lift operations safely.

Wind Sail Effect

A phenomenon where large loads catch the wind, potentially pulling a crane boom out of its safe radius.

Wind-Catching Surface Area

The area of a load that can catch wind, affecting its stability during lifting operations.