Kenco Mechanical Grapple User manual

KENCO Mechanical Grapple Operation Manual
1
170 State Route 271
Ligonier, PA 15658
1-800-653-6069
Triple Tine
Mechanical Grapple
Operators Manual
Attachment Solutions

KENCO Mechanical Grapple Operation Manual
2
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.................................................................................................................. 5
Section V. Operation.......................................................................................................... 7
Section VI. Maintenance ........................................................................................................ 9
Section VII. Inspection Criteria......................................................................................... 10
Section VIII. Parts/Drawings............................................................................................... 11
Section IX. Warranty ......................................................................................................... 12
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
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.
LIFT BAIL
TINE
ARM
LEG
INNER TUBE
ASSEMBLY
OUTER TUBE ASSEMBLY
(ACTUATOR INSIDE)
UPPER COLLAR
ASSEMBLY

KENCO Mechanical Grapple Operation Manual
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170 State Route 271
Ligonier, PA 15658
1-800-653-6069
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
1-800-653-6069
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 24”-36” in diameter.
Position #2 is for objects approximately 36”-60” 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.
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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170 State Route 271
Ligonier, PA 15658
1-800-653-6069
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
!
TINE ADJUSTMENT DETAIL
HOLE POSITION #2
HOLE POSITION #1
ADJUSTMENT BOLT
TINE
LEG
SPACER

KENCO Mechanical Grapple Operation Manual
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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.