MGF F55 Spreader Frame User Guide

MGF F55 Spreader Frame

CREATING SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENTS

With over 40 years of experience, MGF is a privately-owned company whose focus is the provision of fully engineered excavation and structural support solutions and complimentary lifting and safety equipment to the construction industry. We combine technical expertise and operational performance to ensure the highest levels of customer service. With a focus on developing and promoting industry best practice in excavation safety we aim to assist our customers in creating safe working environments for their employees.

CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SUPPORT
The hire and sale of our products is fully supported by our team of qualified engineers, experienced Technical Sales Representatives, hire desk and operational staff. Our hire centres provide the focal point for service delivery where our hire desk team will be pleased to receive your enquiry.

DELIVERY CAPABILITIES
Our dedicated fleet of vehicles offer a flexible solution to quickly meet our customers delivery needs throughout the UK. We partner with several global shipping companies to ensure we can quickly deliver our products on a global scale.

SPREADER FRAME OVERVIEW

The MGF F55 Spreader Frame is a modular spreader frame system which can lift up to 55t and is available in square or rectangular configurations, with leg lengths spanning from 1 to 10m and increments as small as 0.25m. The capacity of all the achievable combinations are stated in this user guide (table 1 & 2) in 0.5m increments. Read the table by locating the lower span on the y axis of the chart and the larger on the x axis. The cell which you are referred to, will indicate the WLL for your chosen span. If your exact span is not noted in the table, then please round up or down to the values that will give you the lowest WLL, to ensure no overloads are applied.
Each F55 Spreader Frame includes 4 L-shaped Corner Attachments (B) which are bolted together with spreader extensions (D) to customise the length of the leg. The system is also supplied with 2 shackles at each corner, a lower 17t green pin bow shackle (C) and a 25t green pin bow shackle (A). Each bolted connection (E) comprises of 8No. M20 x 80 grade 8.8 bolts, nuts and washers.
Endless round slings available for all lengths.

KEY PRODUCT FEATURES

• Rated at up to 55 tonnes WLL in certain configurations (30° STV β). See load tables for full range of capacities based on overall size and sling angles. Never exceed the stated WLL.
• Sling to Vertical (STV) angle, β, 45° or less
• Corner attachments are rated at 14 tonnes WLL each (55t combined)
• 240Nm min. torque required for M20 bolts (30mm socket/spanner)

SPAN/CAPACITY CHART

COMPONENTS

TABLE OF COMPONENTS

ASSEMBLY PROCEDURE

• Check the ID details on each component to ensure the correct lengths are used.
• Arrange the Spreader Extensions (D) and Corner Attachments (B) in the recommended configurations (see table 4), ensuring that the longest extensions are central.
• Check for debris between the flanges before connection to ensure the endplates sit perfectly flush with one another.
• Bolt the components together using bolts, nuts & washers provided, 8no M20 x 80 bolts per connection (E). Tighten all bolts to a minimum torque of 240Nm, 2 threads minimum must be visible beyond the nut. Bolts should be re-tightened before every lifting operation.
• Recommended top sling type = Textile slings, wire rope slings with soft eyes and chain slings with small end fittings.
• Place a top sling onto the body of the upper shackle (A) and put jaw of top shackle over the corner attachment upper lift point and orientate so the bow of the shackle bears on the corner attachment lift point – so it’s a ‘bow to bow’ connection. Put top shackle pin through shackle to secure on lift point/sling, repeat this for each corner.
• Attach free ends of top slings to crane hook.
• Attach lower slings (C) and shackles to lower holes of corner attachment and attach them to the load to be lifted.
• The assembled spreader frame and lifting rig must be thoroughly checked by a competent person prior to lifting.
• Recommended equipment for assembly: Torque wrench, podger spanner, ring spanner.

CRITICAL ASSEMBLY RULES

• Ensure the frame is only loaded at the corner attachments and that they are equally loaded
• A maximum of 3 extensions can be used on any leg length (plus one additional 0.25m)
• STV (sling to vertical β) angle must be less than 45°
• The lower slings cannot be rigged at more than a 6° angle (Figure 4)
• Position the longest strut in the centre of the leg
• Sling angle is critical for safe use of spreader frames, never undertake a lift without the correct use of appropriate top slings
• The rigger must ensure there is clearance between sling end and Corner Attachment (see Figure 5).
• Ensure that there is sufficient clearance between the frame and the load being lifted. Any collision could cause failure of the frame
• For sling to vertical angles between 30° to 45°, either use the 45 degree capacity or consult an MGF representative for an accurate load capacity.

SAFE USE WARNINGS

BEFORE OPERATIVES USE THE EQUIPMENT, THEY SHOULD READ AND UNDERSTAND THESE WARNINGS.

• WHEN MOVING OR POSITIONING LONG EXTENSIONS OR ASSEMBLIES USE TAG LINES TO CONTROL MOVEMENT.
• LOAD MUST BE LIFTED THROUGH THE CORNER ATTACHMENTS, NEVER HANG LOADS FROM SPREADER EXTENSIONS, HANDLING POINTS OR FLANGES
• AS THE SPREADER EXTENSIONS ARE DESIGNED FOR AXIAL COMPRESSION ONLY.
• THE EQUIPMENT MUST BE USED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROCEDURES FROM ‘LIFTING OPERATIONS AND LIFTING EQUIPMENT REGULATIONS 1998’ (LOLER).
• OPERATIVES USING THIS SYSTEM SHOULD BE SUITABLY TRAINED, COMPETENT AND HAVE A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF SAFE SLINGING PROCEDURES.
• DO NOT EXCEED STATED WLL FOR EACH PARTICULAR SPAN AND SLING ANGLE SHOWN IN TABLE 1 AND 2
• DO NOT RIG THE LOWER SLINGS MORE THAN 6 DEGREES FROM VERTICAL
• INDIVIDUAL COMPONENTS CAN BE HEAVY AND EXTREME CARE MUST BE TAKEN IF MANUAL HANDLING.
• IT IS CRITICAL THAT THE LENGTH AND CAPACITY OF THE SLINGS AND CORNER ATTACHMENTS (PARTICULARLY TOP SLING) ARE SUITABLE FOR THE WLL BASED ON THE ANGLE SHOWN IN TABLES 1 AND 2.
• INDIVIDUAL SPREADER EXTENSIONS INCLUDE LIFTING POINTS FOR SAFE HANDLING (SEE FIGURE 6), IT IS CRITICAL THAT THESE ARE NOT USED TO
• SUSPEND ANY LOAD OTHER THAN THE SELF-WEIGHT OF THE BEAMS. THEY ARE INDIVIDUALLY RATED TO 1000KG.

ASSEMBLY PROCEDURE

Before lifting there are several checks which should be done:

• Must ensure that there is suitable clearance between the equipment used to connect to the shackles and the end unit.
• Must ensure that both the upper and lower shackles are free to rotate before use.
• Must ensure that the slings are not twisted or tangled.
• Keep the loaded spreader frame clear of obstacles – any contact could cause unsafe release of load or frame failure.
• Ensure the larger 25t bow shackle is attached to the top of each corner attachment, while the smaller 17t bow shackle is connected to the lower point on the corner attachment.
• Ensure that the top sling lengths are suitable, and the beam does not tilt.
• Ensure that the centre of gravity of the object being lifted is positioned underneath the master link (figure 7).
• Each component needs to be checked prior to each lift.
• Carry out a visual alignment check for each assembly to ensure straightness without kinks or bows along the length.
• Prior to first use of a new assembly, carry out a trial lift just above ground level to ensure that straightness is maintained under its own self-weight.

STABILITY

When lifting a suspended load using the Spreader Frame the stability of the frame and load depends on the height and position of the centre of gravity, ‘G’, with respect to the suspension points of this load. The stability must be ensured longitudinally and transversally in addition the lower slings must not be angled at more than 6° (figure 4). When lifting a suspended load using the Spreader Frame the stability of the frame and The overall stability of the Spreader Frame and the load being lifted depends on the actual stability height of the Spreader Frame (A) and the position of the centre of gravity (G) of the lift. See below figures 8 and 9. This dimension, A, should be as high as possible (within the allowable STV angular range) to increase overall stability and extra care should be taken if G is above the lower fixing points.
If B is negative, A must always be greater, or the user risks the load tipping (figure 10).

Note: IT IS THE HIRER’S RESPONSIBILITY TO INSPECT THE BEAMS AND ALL FITTINGS PRIOR TO ANY LIFTING OPERATIONS BEING UNDERTAKEN. CONSULT AN MGF REPRESENTATIVE BEFORE LIFTING IF THERE IS ANY DOUBT OVER THE QUALITY OF THE EQUIPMENT OR IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT ANY ASPECT OF THESE RULES.
EQUIPMENT TO BE USED IN ACCORDANCE WITH MGF’S TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF HIRE.
ALL OPERATIONS MUST BE CARRIED OUT TO APPROVED METHOD STATEMENTS AND RISK ASSESSMENTS.
Manufacturer: MGF (Trench Construction Systems) Ltd.
Address: Grant House, Lockett Road, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan, WN4 8DE
Copyright © 2022 MGF (Trench Construction Systems) Ltd.
All Rights Reserved.MGF.CO.UK
enquiries@mgf.co.uk

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