Kenco MG6K15T40V4 User manual

KENCO Mechanical Grapple Operation Manual
1
170 State Route 271
Ligonier, PA 15658
1-800-653-6069
MG6K15T40V4
Mechanical Grapple
Operators Manual
Conforms to the latest revisions of
ASME B 30.20 and BTH-1
Design Category B, Service Class 3
Attachment Solutions

KENCO Mechanical Grapple Operation Manual
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170 State Route 271
Ligonier, PA 15658
1-800-653-6069
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section I. General Information......................................................................................... 3
Section II. Safety................................................................................................................. 3
Section III. Identification of Major Components.............................................................. 5
Section IV. Setup.................................................................................................................. 6
Section V. Operation.......................................................................................................... 7
Section VI. Maintenance ........................................................................................................ 9
Section VII. Inspection Criteria......................................................................................... 10
Section VIII. Parts/Drawings............................................................................................... 11
Section IX. Warranty ......................................................................................................... 14
RECORD INFORMATION HERE
FOR REFERENCE
MODEL
BODY SERIAL NUMBER
Notes:

KENCO Mechanical Grapple Operation Manual
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170 State Route 271
Ligonier, PA 15658
1-800-653-6069
Section I. General Information.
1. May we take this opportunity to thank you for purchasing the KENCO Mechanical Grapple. The
Mechanical Grappleprovides the ultimate in below the hook handling versatility. The Mechanical
Grappleand is quality engineered to provide years of trouble free, low maintenance performance.
Please read and fully understand this manual and any additional attached documentation before
attempting to setup, operate or maintain the Mechanical Grapple.
2. This manual should be made available to all persons who may use or maintain the
Mechanical Grapple. For additional information, please feel free to contact the
service department at Kenco at 1-800-653-6069
Section II.Safety
A. General
1. Safety practices described in this manual are intended as guidelines for safe operation under most
conditions and are supplementary to any and all rules and/or laws governing any aspect of the KENCO
Mechanical Grapple operation that are in force in your area.
2. Before operating the KENCO Mechanical Grapple, you should have a clear understanding of said laws
and regulations to ensure compliance.
3. Throughout this manual there are parts tagged with one or more of the following safety warnings.
Particular care must be exercised with regard to these statements.
This warning is used where there is a high probability
of death or serious injury if the instructions are not
followed correctly.
DANGER
!
This warning is used where there is a possibility of
injury to yourself or others if the instructions are not
followed correctly.
WARNING
!
This warning is used where there is a possibility of
damage to the machine if the instructions are not
followed correctly.
CAUTION
!

KENCO Mechanical Grapple Operation Manual
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170 State Route 271
Ligonier, PA 15658
1-800-653-6069
B. Personal Safety
1. Wear appropriate protective clothing and related safety equipment including protective glasses, hardhat,
gloves, protective shoes, hearing protection, and any other equipment/devices dictated by job conditions.
2. Do not wear loose clothing, jewelry or hairstyles that could become entangled in the KENCO
Mechanical Grapple or rigging hardware.
3. Keep hands, feet, and any other appendages clear of Mechanical Grapple while in operation.
C. Operation Safety.
1. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO OPERATE OR PERFORM MAINTENANCE ON THE
MECHANICAL GRAPPLE UNTIL READING AND FULLY UNDERSTANDING THIS
MANUAL.
2. MAINTAIN SAFE DISTANCE FROM LOAD - NEVER ALLOW MECHANICAL GRAPPLE
OR LOAD TO PASS OVER ANY PART OF A PERSON.
3. DO NOT USE A KENCO MECHANICAL GRAPPLE THAT HAS BEEN ALTERED
ACCIDENTALLY OR INTENTIONALLY, IN ANY WAY WITHOUT INSPECTION BY
QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.
4. DO NOT USE A KENCO MECHANICAL GRAPPLE FOR ANY TASK OTHER THAN THE
INTENDED PURPOSE OF THE DESIGN.

KENCO Mechanical Grapple Operation Manual
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170 State Route 271
Ligonier, PA 15658
1-800-653-6069
Section III. Identification of Major Components
Lift Eye
Assy.
Tine
Arm Assy.
Leg Assy.
Inner Tube
Assy.
Outer Tube Assy.
(Actuator Inside)
Upper Lobe
Assembly

KENCO Mechanical Grapple Operation Manual
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170 State Route 271
Ligonier, PA 15658
1-800-653-6069
Section IV. Setup.
A. Preliminary inspection
1. Check Mechanical Grapple for any signs of damage incurred during shipping.
2. Check for missing items/fasteners.
3. Check all bolts for snugness.
4. Record model, and serial # of assembly and components.
B. DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN LINKAGE BOLTS.
C. Attach Mechanical Grapple to hoist.
1. Use as few rigging components (shackles, slings, chain, etc.) as possible.
2. ALL RIGGING COMPONENTS MUST HAVE A WORKING LOAD LIMIT THAT IS
EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN THE COMBINED WEIGHT OF INTENDED LOAD PLUS
THE MECHANICAL GRAPPLE.
3. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD ANY COMPONENT USED AS RIGGING TO
THE MECHANICAL GRAPPLE BE OF A RATED CAPACITY LESS THAN THAT OF THE
MECHANICAL GRAPPLE.
4. DO NOT RIG UNPROTECTED NYLON SLINGS OR WIRE ROPE DIRECTLY THROUGH
LIFT BAIL.
5. IF USING EQUIPMENT OTHER THAN A CRANE: USE RIGGING OF SUFFICIENT
LENGTH TO PREVENT CONTACT BETWEEN THE MECHANICAL GRAPPLE AND
EQUIPMENT.

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170 State Route 271
Ligonier, PA 15658
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Section V. Operation.
Before attempting to use the Mechanical Grapple ALWAYS perform a test lift on the
intended object(s) to confirm proper operation. DO NOT use a Mechanical Grapple to
handle objects beyond the rated capacity or range.
A. Operation:
1. Ensure that the Mechanical Grapple’s capacity and range are appropriate to the object to be handled.
2. Adjust tine position by removing adjustment bolt and rotating the tine until holes in leg, spacer and tine
line up. Reinstall the adjustment bolt.
Position #1 is for objects approximately 15”-24” in diameter.
Position #2 is for objects approximately 24”-40” in diameter.
(See detail A on page 8 for clarity.)
3. Position Mechanical Grapple at or near center of object to be lifted.
4. Lower Mechanical Grapple onto object, taking care to minimize impact.
5. Ensure that all persons are clear of the Mechanical Grapple and the load.
6. Release tension on lift cable.
7. Raise the Mechanical Grapple and load in a smooth motion, do not “jerk”.
8. Deposit at desired location.
9. Release tension on lift cable. (Note: avoid undue slamming of the Mechanical Grapple into open
position to prolong actuator life.)
10. Remove Mechanical Grapple (Mechanical Grapple is latched in open position automatically)
B. Avoid Jarring, swinging, and otherwise unnecessary manipulation of the load.
C. Avoid handling of loads off center.
D. DO NOT USE THE MECHANICAL GRAPPLE TO PICK MULTIPLES OF ITEMS IN A SINGLE
PICK.
E. Observe all safety practices associated with operation of hoist machinery.
F. DO NOT USE MECHANICAL GRAPPLE TO DRAG LOADS.
G. DO NOT ALLOW LOAD TO CONTACT ANY SURFACE/OBJECT WHILE BEING HANDLED.
The Mechanical Grapple produces grip proportional
to and dependent on the weight of the load. It is for
this reason that while in operation the Mechanical
Grapple and wall NEVER be allowed to contact other
items.
DANGER
!
Manipulation of the Mechanical Grapple by ground
personnel for the purpose of alignment with load shall only
be done with the Mechanical Grapple suspended above the
object. KEEP ALL HANDS AWAY FROM THE
MECHANICAL GRAPPLE DURING OPERATION.
DANGER
!
DANGER
!

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TINE ADJUSTMENT DETAIL
Hole Position #2
Hole Position #1
Adjustment Bolt
Tine
Leg

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170 State Route 271
Ligonier, PA 15658
1-800-653-6069
Section VI. Maintenance
A. Daily:
1. Visually inspect lifter for signs of stress and wear.
2. Check that bolts and nuts are snug.
3. Ensure free movement of all components.
4. Ensure that all warning labels are present and readable.
5. Lubricate all moving mechanisms with penetrating oil.
6. LUBRICATE ACTUATOR WITH LIGHT PENETRATING OIL ONLY (WD40™)
B. Annually*
1. Remove pivot bolts and coat with grease. Coat washers and associated faces of members with grease.
2. Inspect holes, pins, bolts etc for wear. See sect VIII for criteria.
3. Remove actuator, clean and lubricate with light penetrating oil –check for signs of wear, replace if
necessary.
* Frequency depends on usage, environmental conditions, etc.

KENCO Mechanical Grapple Operation Manual
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170 State Route 271
Ligonier, PA 15658
1-800-653-6069
Section VII. Inspection Criteria
THE MECHANICAL GRAPPLE UNIT AND ALL OF ITS ASSOCIATED COMPONENTS SHALL
BE REMOVED FROM SERVICE AND TAGGED APPROPRIATELY UNTIL
RECERTIFICATION BY A QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING
CONDITIONS:
A. General
1. Cracking in any component or member
2. Cracking in any weld.
3. Visible distortion in any member.
4. Visible distortion in any Bolt/Pin/Shaft.
B. Specific
1. Lift Bail
a. The lift bail shall be replaced if a 20% loss in cross-
sectional area from the original member(s) can be
demonstrated. Note: cross section of welds,
“mushroomed” wear faces, and burrs are not accounted
for as cross-sectional area. (See ill.)
2. Holes.
a. Any members through which bolted or pinned connections pass shall be replaced if a 10% loss
in cross-sectional area from the edge of the hole to any edge of the profile can be demonstrated.
Note: cross section of welds, “mushroomed” wear faces, and burrs are not accounted for as
cross-sectional area.
3. Pins/Bolts.
a. Any visible deformation of a pin, shaft or bolt shall require replacement of that part.