From:  Spencer Hamilton, Maintenance Supervisor

To:  Bill Arnold

Date:   07/28/00                      

Subject:  Crane Load Monitor

Dear Bill,

            I just want to tell you how satisfied we are with the Smiser Crane Load Monitor.  The Smiser unit that you installed on our MK-60 crane has been in operation for one full year and it’s been trouble free and stays in calibration.  My ET’s are very happy with this system.  The old system we had had to be re-calibrated every month or so.  One of the problems with the old system was the control cable to the main block load cell always getting damaged.  This is one of the main reasons I like the Smiser system, because both the load cells are mounted on top of the boom, out of harm’s way.  I also like the concept of the load cells not being attached to the hoist wire rope.  The Smiser system has convinced me that I have made the right choice.

Sincerely,

Spencer Hamilton

Maintenance Supervisor

SUBJECT

Testing of Smiser Industries, Incorporated

Model PTM-100A DynaTension Instrument

To                                            From                                        Date

            L. Dickson                               Bob Willis                                12 November 1986

            ATTN:  M. Holley

1. On this date, myself, M. Holley, R. Woodbury and Assistant Lockmaster J.V Noe tested the model PTM-100A DynaTension Instrument on the 8 Dam Gate Cables of Gate 1, Kentucky Side (Drivenside) of Mc Alpine Dam.  The purpose of this test was to determine if this instrument would give accurate measurements of cable tension without establishing bridge points specifically for this testing.  We also wanted to establish whether or not it was feasible to use a small magnetic contact probe as opposed to a proximity probe which proved ineffective during an earlier test.

2. With the dam gate at a 30 foot setting we estimated the span length to be 40 feet (480 inches).  The magnetic contact probe was positioned by using a 20 foot length of ¾ inch aluminum pipe, taping the lead wire to the conduit with the probe dangling at the end.  An aluminum spike pole was used to vibrate the cables.  We were able to obtain good steady readings with the instrument.  Fluctuation of the needle was no more than + 200 lbs. The eight cables tested as follows:

1.                  22,000 lbs                          Machine Settings

2.                  20,000 lbs                          Scale Selector - 4

3.                  22,500 lbs                          Scale Multiple – 10,000

4.                  21,000 lbs                          Weight – 3.5 lbs

5.                  21,000 lbs                          Length – 480 inches (40 feet)

6.                  22,000 lbs

7.                  22,500 lbs

8.                  22,500 lbs

NOTE: Error because of estimated span length could be as high as 25% if a 5 foot + error was made.  This error would be consistent in each cable measured.

                                                                        ROBERT M. WILLIS

                                                                        EIC, LRS