14.11.2025
Ainscough alert
Following an initial investigation, Ainscough Crane Hire in the UK has issued a statement relating to an incident last month in which a counterweight dropped into the road while travelling. See:
Dropped counterweight.
The statement is aimed at alerting other crane owners or operators to be aware and take steps to avoid it happening to them.
“On Wednesday, 29th October, a Liebherr LTM 1100 Mobile Crane was travelling on the A249
Detling Hill, near Maidstone, when the rear fixed counterweight detached from the crane and
landed on the carriageway.
Our investigations are still ongoing, but the primary cause is that one of the main fixed
counterweight securing bolts failed. This caused the counterweight to drop on one side, which
in turn resulted in the failure of the other main fixing bolt due to lateral loading.
Although this is an extremely rare event, we do have a specific, periodic service action to
remove, inspect, refit and retorque all counterweight fixing bolts and any associated stabilising bolts.
Whilst the crane in question was compliant with our policy, we have now initiated an immediate service campaign to inspect the fixing bolts on all cranes that have fixed rear counterweight slabs.
Notwithstanding the outcome of the investigation, we are reviewing our criteria for this
maintenance action in conjunction with the manufacturer, to mitigate any further chance of re-occurrence.
We would therefore encourage all mobile crane owners to ensure that the inspection of these bolts is included within regular maintenance activities.”
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