“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”
Benjamin Franklin was a man of many talents, but the writer, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat, printer, publisher, and political philosopher was ahead of his time. His words translate well to the lifting and rigging industry. Knowing the weight of your lifts could be the difference between going home safely or suffering catastrophic injury / death.
To know the weight of the load, you need a device built to measure the strain on the crane. The Crosby | Straightpoint Radiolink Plus Load Cell helps you know your load’s exact weight and eliminate the risks associated with guessing.
Eliminating hazards as often as possible when lifting loads could prevent catastrophic failure. Experiencing a catastrophic failure could not only result in damaging a load, but, more importantly, cause injury or death.
In this article, we’ll look at the following:
- What is the Crosby | Straightpoint Radiolink Plus Load Cell?
- How do you read the results from the Crosby | Straightpoint Radiolink Plus Load Cell?
- What are the key specs of a Crosby | Straightpoint Radiolink Plus Load Cell?
- What separates the Radiolink Plus from other Crosby | Straightpoint Load Cells?
- What are the limitations of the Crosby | Straightpoint Radiolink Plus Load Cell?
What Is a Crosby | Straightpoint Load Cell?
Using a load cell or dynamometer is all about knowing how much you’re going to pick up.
The load cell is a device that indicates how much weight you have on your hook. Strain gauge technology measures the microscopic strain on the body of the load cell. Then, the results are converted into a pound, kilogram, kilonewton, or metric ton reading.
What Is the Radiolink Plus?
The RadioLink Plus is Crosby | Straightpoint’s link-style load cell with shackles on the top and bottom of the device. It is their most commonly used load cell for monitoring loads. In their opinion, monitoring load weight should be done for every lift.
You put one shackle on the hook and attach the rigging to the bottom shackle. A wireless handheld device receives the information, which helps keep operators a safe distance away from the lift.
The wireless handheld device has a 1,000-meter range, which equates to more than 3,280’. Although Crosby | Straightpoint has never seen a need to be that far away from a lift, it means the Radio Frequency (RF) signal from The Radiolink Plus remains strong at varying distances from the load.
How Do You Read the Results from the Radiolink Plus Load Cell?
Sometimes, you will see load cells with an integral screen, which creates a couple of issues in some cases:
- Puts the operator in close proximity to the lift
- Is difficult to read from far away
Because of space limitations, the screen is typically an inch or less tall, and sometimes, not backlit. You’ve either got to be really close to the load and put yourself at more risk for serious injury/death, or utilize a lower-tech option like binoculars.
Binoculars still may not be enough, as it could be difficult to tell apart similar-looking numbers on the screen. Results obtained this way may not be able to answer if the crane/rigging gear being used to complete the task is suitable to perform safe lifts.
The Radiolink Plus load cell is strictly wireless. There is no screen/read-out built into the structure of the cell. Even if gouged or dinged, the Radiolink Plus remains functional because it features a completely polycarbonate front plate.
If your load cell’s screen is damaged, it can no longer be used without first going in for assessment / repair.
What Are the Key Specifications of the Radiolink Plus?
The following specifications are among the most important when researching the Radiolink Plus load cell:
- Range
- Weight
- Capacity
- Battery type / life
- Display type
- Operating temperature
- Accuracy
- Frequency
- Protection
Range
The wireless radio frequency signal can reach up to 1,000 m or 3,280’.
Weight
Depending on which of the 14 models of the Radiolink Plus you select, it can weigh as little as 3.3 lbs. (1.5 kg), or as much as 425 lbs. (193 kg).
Capacity
The smallest Radiolink Plus has a capacity of 2,200 lbs. (1,000 kg), and the largest model has a capacity of 1.1 million lbs. (500 metric tons).
Battery Type / Life
The Handheld Display requires 2 AA batteries, while the load cell needs 4 AA batteries.
Display Type
The Radiolink Plus comes with a 240×128 multi-line dot matrix display with a backlight.
Operating Temperature
The Radiolink Plus can operate between 14°F to 122°F (-10°C to +50°C).
Accuracy
Across all 14 models, the Radiolink Plus has an accuracy of +/- 0.1% full scale.
Frequency
The Radiolink Plus has a 2.4 GHz frequency.
Protection
The Radiolink Plus is IP67 rated. It is dust tight and watertight against water immersion between 15 cm and 1 m for 30 minutes.
What Separates the Radiolink Plus from Other Crosby | Straightpoint Load Cells?
The biggest differences between the Radiolink Plus and another Crosby product, the BlueLink Dynamometer, are:
- Range
- Accuracy
- Capacity
Range
The wireless signal range of the Radiolink Plus is up to 1,000 m or 3,280’, which is 10 times the frequency strength of the BlueLink Dynamometer (100 m or 328’).
Accuracy
The Radiolink Plus has an accuracy of +/- 0.1% full scale, while the BlueLink has an accuracy of +/- 0.2% full scale.
Capacity
Because there are 14 models of the Radiolink Plus, they can have a capacity of anywhere between 2,200 lbs. (1,000 kg), and the largest model of 1.1 million lbs. (500 metric tons). The BlueLink Dynamometer comes in one model, and its capacity is 14,300 lbs. (6.5 metric tons).
What Are the Limitations of the Crosby | Straightpoint Radiolink Plus Load Cell?
Crosby | Straightpoint’s load cells are designed to operate between 14°F (-10°C) and 122°F (50°C).
If you’re making a lift in sub-zero temperatures, it’s probably not a fit for Crosby | Straightpoint load cells.
Conversely, in hot forge foundries, customers will put a load cell on a crane that’s getting up to 150°F, and others have said, “It’ll flash a temperature of 250°F.” Crosby | Straightpoint doesn’t have an effective solution for something that hot.
Crosby | Straightpoint does make custom project load-monitoring solutions, so special applications can be reviewed for capabilities.
If you work in a hazardous environment where you’re using spark-resistant cranes and hoists and explosion-proof equipment, Crosby | Straightpoint has an ATEX (Atmosphere Explosible)-rated load cell that can be used. The specialized load cell must be marked by ATEX and has to be ATEX-approved.
***Remember to have conversations with your rigging specialists and reach out to manufacturers to understand what you’re getting into because the equipment/tools business is not a “one-size-fits-all, out-of-the-box” application. Do your research on what you’re about to rig BEFORE you rig it.
How Can Mazzella Help with Your Lifting and Rigging Needs?
For decades, Crosby has manufactured products designed to make the lifting and rigging industry safer. Similarly, Mazzella has the mission to provide you with quality products that are the right fits to increase your productivity and minimize your safety risks.
Mazzella is a distributor of Crosby products of all types, including but not limited to:
- Radiolink Plus
- BlueLink
- Wireless Load Shackle
- BlokCam
- Verton
- Crosby Gunnebo GrabiQ Chain Slings
- Clamps
- Pipe Grabs
- Sheaves
- Bearings
- Blocks
- Sling Saver Hardware
- Turnbuckles
- Hooks
- Thimbles
By using the proper equipment, you’re controlling or eliminating hazards in the workplace. That helps reduce the risk of an accident. Think about how quickly the costs of a workplace accident or fatality can add up, including:
- Lost wages
- Workers’ compensation
- Low employee morale
- Decrease in productivity
- Workforce shortages
- Potential legal fees and OSHA fines
Remember, putting safety at the forefront of your lifts will help increase your productivity and minimize your downtime.
Click here to contact a Mazzella lifting specialist today for all of your lifting needs!
Crosby|Straightpoint Load Cell Dynamometers
Radiolink plus BLE is designed to be rigged with Crosby standard shackles. Straightpoint’s DNV-GL type approved wireless tension load cell is capable of weighing and dynamic load monitoring capacities from 1t to 500t (all in stock).
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