Assembly instructions for the Giraffe Camera Crane
Loading and unloading the crane
- Loading
- Unloading
- Temporary unloading
- Track
- Ruff Wheels
- Operating Platform
- Weight box (porcupine)
- Base
- Main column
On Vehicle Tracking
Cranium Tips For Building
How-To-Build (Giraffe modes)
Levelling
Trailer
The dolly/crane grip or another qualified Grip should always recheck all captive bolts before loading the arm. It's important that loading and unloading be done in a safe sequence.Remember to evaluate hazards even when the crane is not moving. Observe strict protocol and let noone (includes screaming directors, time-pressed ADs, budget-minded Producers/upms) alter the safe loading/unloading and operating procedures! Better to be safe and unpopular than fast and dead!
Loading
1. Load the camera and all accessories that are to be carried onto the platform.Subsequent
loading of weights will be easier if the camera platform is raised with apple boxes
placed directly below the platform.
2. Load sufficient amount of weights on the weight box just to balance the camera
and head- make sure weight rod captivators are in place so weights can't slide off
and hit your head! It's also a good idea to remember how many weights it takes to
balance just the arm, then with camera andthen the head - this way you know how many
weights to remove when unloading the crew and camera while still maintaining adequate
balace of the arm.
3. Seat the camera crew and insure that they are securely strapped in and their seats
and extensions are properly secured. Communicate with the camera crew that they cannot
step off the crane platform until the dolly/crane grip has alerted them it is safe
to do so.
4. Load sufficient extra weights to counterbalance the crew. Final adjustments can
be done with the 1/2 weight and/or by sliding the trim weight to acheive the optimum
balance.
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Unloading
1. unload weights used to counterbalance the crew or remote head.
2. unstrap and unload crew as a grip hold front of the arm (just in case)
3. unload the camera and head
4. bring crane to balance so it's ready to move or disassemble completely
If it is necessary for one or more of the camera crew to step off of crane, a qualified grip can substitute his own weight by standing on the foot platform while the crew member leaves temporarily. Alternately, 4 or 5 spare weights can be placed on the foot platform before the crew member steps off.(depending on his/her weight).
It is important that any substitute load be applied on the camera platform and not by holding down the Boom arm. This is because the loads in the upper tierods are equal and opposite when the camera platfom and the weight box are in balance. If the platform is unloaded while the boom structure itself is held down,the forward pull on the front tierod decreases greatly while the back tierod to the weightbox still exterts a severe backward pull on the top of the pylon. This causes a turning movement around the center of gravity and the dolly develops a tendency to kick out from under the boom. the crane could topple backwards!
Alternately, if the boom structure is held up and the unsupported platform is loaded (with no weights on the weight box) the front tierod exerts a huge forward pull on the pylon with no opposite pull on the rear tierod. The crane could topple forwards! Due to the design of this crane there are adequate opposing movements to prevent this from hapenning under normal circumstances. dolly/crane grips must avoid these bad loading and unloading techniques that cause instability!
The logic in balancing the loads in the back and the front tie rods also points to a method of fine tuning the crane in it's various formats.
- a. In the basic form (Booms 1 & 2), the weights should be concentrated at
the back . of the weight box
- b. With Booms 1, 2, & 3 in use, the weights can be evenly loaded
- c. In the longest form, Booms 1, 2, 3, & 4, the weights should be concentrated towards the front of the weight box. This will keep the turning movement at the center of gravity to a minimum. The balance will be more stable and the movement easier.
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Track
The Crane normally operates on the 39 inch wide (1meter) lightweight swingfold track, providing maximum stability. Track should always be laid and levelled on a rigid surface capable of holding the intended weight. If used on rough or unlevel ground, subframes (sleeper track, aluma beams, 2x12's) must be used to provide a solid base to distribute the considerable crane load! Track is connected either with turnbuckles (should never be overtightened) or with the attached connectors in the newer style I-beam track. Track can be made into standard 24" dolly track by attaching the track coupling to the new-style I-beam rails. The 24" standard dolly width is only to be used when crane is in mini-modes with the short post- since it is narrower guage it's obviously less stable than the standard 39" width. Track should always be laid by a qualified Grip who is experienced in load ratings of various subframes (depending on specific mode and weight of the crane)!
Tracking
Take note that two of the Giraffes' track wheels have floating bushings that allow
limited sideways movement.This slight motion helps to take out bumps if there is
any uneveness in the track. Always make sure the white bushings are fitted to run
on the same side of the track! Do not overtighten the track wheels or any of the
crane's components. hand thread every bolt and then firmly snug them!
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Filled transport wheels are provided to enable the unloaded crane to be moved
from one track position to another. The wheels pop onto the stub axles, and are secured
with one captive bolt. Steering handles can be locked on either side by placing the
locking sleeve over the crossbar with the wheels straight. Track wheels should always
be removed before repositioning crane so they remain undamaged and don't become an
impediment to steering- . To release the track wheels after loading onto Ruff Wheels,
slack the bolt 2 or 3 turns and tap on bolt with the protective hammer, then unscrew
track wheels entirely. When hammering, do not unscrew the bolt entirely, as, this
will damage the threads of the bolt as well as the ones inside the track wheels.
The Ruff Wheels were not designed for tracking, and operators should unload the crew
when moving the crane to a new position. Short moves to adjust position are permissable.
If radical swinging and jibbing arms are to be made, make sure levelling jacks are
down onto a firm and level surface to provide extra stability.
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The operating platform is stored in the trailers with the swivel seat unit attached,
ready to be fitted onto the crane arm. The operating platform is designed to be placed
on Booms 2 -Boom 4 - any longer mode requires the remote section and is unrideable!
The swivel seat unit can be detached and fit directly onto the crane base for a dolly
configuration, or left on the platform for use in other modes. The foot platform
slides on or off and is secured to the platform with captive bolts. Depending on
the unit there are large and small foot platforms to suit the operator's needs. The
camera platform must be levelled by adjusting the turnbuckle found on the front of
the pylon on the main column. The 4-way levelling head can be attached directly to
the swivel seat post or there are two additional posts included (Medium & High).
Use depends on lens height, stability, and operator comfort. There are two seat extension
units, each consists of a short and a longer square tubing arm connected by a stainless
steel pin. They can be placed in a variety of configurations depending, once again,
on height of camera, stability, and operator comfort. Always insure that once placed
on the platform and fitted with seats, that all safety knobs have been tightened
so that the seats are secure from disengaging from the crane. There is also a battery
box- make sure it is firmly attached and always secure the battery and all loose
objects to the crane to prevent falling mishaps. Once the operator or assistant are
in the seats make sure they are seat belted in and are fully aware that once counterweighted
they cannot step off until the designated dolly/Crane grip has signalled that it
is safe to do so!
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The weight box is placed into the slots at the rear of Boom 1 and can hang freely
while it is being locked into position with the captive bolts- again, as with all
captive bolts on the crane, just snug it with the wrench so as not to strip out the
threads, but still making it secure. While the porcupine is still hanging, place
Rod 1 into the receiver sleeve of weight box and slip in the 7/16 quik pin. At this
point, place the sliding trim weight onto the rod, making sure to tighten the slider
so it doesn't slide and pinch fingers! One grip pick up the weight box while the
other places the unattached end of Rod 1 into the sleeve on the centerpost pylon
and secures it with the 7/16 qiuk-pin. The arm should be close to balanced, and,
depending on the mode, the balance should be continually maintained between front
and back by evenly adding counterweights as one adds sections of arm. It is always
important to control the weight/balance whether assembling, operating or disassembling
the crane! All Cranium Giraffes are equipped with the new "quik-release ends
for the weight rods"- to insure safety, always make sure the rods are turned
so that the sliders are perpendicular to the ground (pointing straight down), because
gravity is our friend. When adding weights, it is recommended to always add weights
to the upper rods first, as, they are often much harder to reach when loading and
unloading operator and assistant! Also, make sure you add weight evenly on both side
of the weight box, uneven loading could cause the weight box to disengage from the
slots and perform poorly when pivoting crane arm. We recommend to never place an
apple box under the weight box to secure the crane arm in a high position, rather
, place boxes under the fixed edges of Boom 1 so as to avoid disengaging weight box
from crane due to uneven pressures!
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The crane base consists of two wheel-crossbars mounted perpendicularly to the
dolly base. The wheel crossbars fit into the four cones in the dolly base. The steering
tierods and pneumatic wheels are attached to the steering crossbars.The 4 track wheels
are inserted underneath in the cone fittings at the crossbar ends when using the
wide crane-base configuration. . Always make sure that the crane base is on a flat,
level surface,platform, or track system capable of supporting the intended mode of
the Giraffe! The inevitable weight of the grips, other crew, equipment all has to
be taken into consideration. If you're building it on track, make sure the base has
been secured from rolling in either direction (sandbags, cardellini clamps, mafers,etc.)
If your building the crane on unlevel ground, always level the base first with the
accompanying screwjacks! Use a bubble level to make sure your level in both directions!
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The standard height vertical column attaches directly to the dolly base and must
be properly secured by the captive bolts at the bottom of the gusset feet.4 adjusters
are provided on the dolly at these bolt-down points. These adjusters allow fine tuning
between the level base and the vertical column. Once set, they should be securely
locked and should not need further adjustment. The main bearing unit is already secured
into the main column by 4 captive bolts. When using mini mode, the bearing must be
removed and put into the mini column the same way.
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- Build first 2 sections on ground and then mount on crane.
- Never drive crane with bogey wheels as they get damaged when they stick into
the ground. Use them only when about to get onto track!
- NEVER move the crane when it is on uneven ground with the arm fully built. Always
disassemble the crane and rebuild on a new location. The only time to roll it to
another camera position is on flat, even and paved surfaces. Watch out for cable
crossovers and mind the screwjacks!
- Always load the weights onto the bucket evenly on either side so the main bearing
doesn't get tweaked.
- Don't go crazy tightening the captive bolts on the boom sections, or for that
matter, any of the crane's bolts- hand tight works (snug).
- Please don't ever pick up the crane base by the steering rods. Try not to drop
the base. The steering mechanism is easily bent.
- Please don't throw the leads onto their own handles. If the handles get crushed
they may not fit on the bars.
- Don't ever beat on any part of the crane with your own hammer. I have supplied
a plastic-tipped hammer, if a hammer is required.
- Always build a strong sub-platform out of sleeper track (aluma beams) if you're
in an unlevel dollying position. The track is lightweight and twists easily. Everyone
will be happier (except the guys that have to carry the sleeper track!)
- On fast moves, to prevent the weights from swinging too hard and translating
into the arm, throw some rachet straps around them. It helps a whole lot!
- Please read and understand the preceeding safety information and conform to the practices put forth therein. Cranes are inherently dangerous pieces of equipment. Utmost care should always be given to staying alert and attentive when operating them.
| Dolly Mode: |
| Mode 1 (Mini Mode) |
| Mode 1+ |
| Mode 2 |
| Mode 3 |
| Mode 4 |
| Mode 5 |
When leveling crane, always crank 2 leveling jacks on same side at the same time (same amount of turns) - This will insure that the other jacks won't get loose and the frame won't twist.
If your company is picking up our crane trailer, you will need:
- 2 5/16" ball hitch (high trucks require a drop down hitch!)
- 7-pin standard electrical hookup (standard on most studio rental trucks and studio
stakebeds.)
- 4-wheel electric brake controller inside truck - Crane 2 only, other crane is
surge brake.
- Experienced driver capable of hooking up and safely driving a 5000 lb trailer.
- To fill out and sign a trailer checkout form acknowledging any scrapes or dents that may or may not exist.
