engine hoist & straps

[Pwwhitley@zzzzzzz]

Bob's advice is good.  I have never had hydraulics fail, but it is a
possibility to keep in mind.  The oil is under extreme pressure and if it  ruptures
the stone will crash to the ground, flattening most anything in its  path.

I would suggest you never try to move the stone while it is  suspended.  Pick
it up, place timbers and/or heavy plywood across  the hoist legs, then lower
the stone onto the timbers.  Trying to move a  suspended stone will create a
pendulum movement from the stone's inertia, making  it more difficult to move
the hoist and could make it unstable.

Using one strap as a noose...riggers call it a choker...works quite well if
you have a neck to choke,i.e., a narrow section near the top with a wider
section above.  It will work by friction on a straight piece, but  experience is
needed here and lifting such a piece is best done with two straps,  one under
the butt, so to speak.

If you make errors, make them on the side of safety.  You can never  have too
much thought and preparation when your body is at stake.

Here is a link that might help...a choker is shown near the bottom of the
page.

_Riggers Page_ http://www.rigging.net/