20.04.2009

Outriggers or overload?

A 50 tonne truck crane tipped over on a major project in
Turkmenistan last week, but what caused it?

The official incident and sharing report stated that the crane was lifting a bearing plate from a storage area to a designated installation area when it tipped.
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Note the outrigger mats in the road

It adds that the outriggers were fully extended and the crane was in good working condition. The blame is clearly placed on soft ground affecting the cranes stability.
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The outrigger beams fully retracted

However the crane, an XCMG was clearly set up with outrigger mats and that while the mats on the softer ground were probably too small the outriggers have not punched through the grounds or sunk that deeply into the sandy soil.
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The ground is soft but has not given way entirely

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A closer look

What has clearly happened is that the outriggers on the side of the crane opposite to the load, have lifted allowing the crane to tilt, the outrigger beams on the opposite side have then retracted rapidly as the extension cylinders have broken free, causing the crane to shift across the road and tip over. The initial cause of the tip could have been the soft ground moving or simple overloading.
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The boom looks to be a write-off

Whats your view?
As far as we know no one was injured in the accident.