BAKALYAR ENTERPRISES, LLC
Safety protocol requires that whenever possible, procedure and equipment used in processes are to be engineered to reduce or eliminate the risk of injury to personnel and property. The X-Factor™ barge lid handling system addresses the issues of working at heights, working near water, and working on unstable or uncertain surfaces. The handling of barge covers in most current operating practices exposes workers and their employers to all of the above stated risk factors. Many thousands of dollars have been invested in overhead structures to secure tag lines as well as other attempted solutions, but workers are still on the barge covers or coaming rail walkways exposed to near miss or worse instances. The X-Factor™ system significantly reduces risk because it does not require personnel to be on the covers or barge walkways.
X-FACTOR™
X-Factor™ model XF-1000-FF (full function) Barge Cover Handling Device designed to provide capture of the four d-rings on the barge cover, release the cover latch, and lift the cover off of the barge. The spreader bars position the vertical stabilizers and hook guides over the targets as directed by the crane movement and 360 deg rotation provided in the hub assembly. The assembly is lowered by the crane unto the target and remote-control hooks are actuated to capture the ring. Upon commencing the lift, the spreader bars pull down and the stabilizers fold to the path of the lifting straps which bear the load of the cover. The angle of the lifting straps pulls the rings toward the center of the barge releasing the clamp allowing the cover to be lifted off of the barge and placed on the dock or stacked on the barge. Once placed in the staging the hooks are opened and the load released.
The same process is employed to replace the covers on the barge. This process is aided by cameras typically employed on the water side of the barge. The cameras are located on arms that are attached to the vertical stabilizer assembly. When the cover is placed and the stabilizer collapses the camera arms index so that the camera makes visible the underside of the coaming rail. The operator can then verify that the locating pins for the cover have entered the receiving hole in the rail. When cover placement is confirmed, the hooks are opened remotely to release the cover now securely attached to the barge.
The above process is completed without the need for any personnel on the barge.
STANDARD ENGAGEMENT OPTIONS
Custom engagements can be provided for special requirements such as restricted headroom.
