SURFACE J159

REAF.
APR94
VEHICLE
400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096-0001
RECOMMENDED Issued 1970-03
PRACTICE Reaffirmed 1994-04

Superseding J159 APR85

Submitted for recognition as an American National Standard

LOAD MOMENT SYSTEM

Foreword—This Reaffirmed Document has been changed only to reflect the new SAE Technical Standards Board
format.

1. Scope—This SAE Recommended Practice applies to cranes when used in lifting-crane service which are
equipped with load-moment devices.

1.1 Purpose—The purpose of this document is to establish the minimum performance criteria of systems used to
warn or indicate to the operator and/or other responsible persons when the load being lifted approaches and
meets the rated load value on the applicable load-rating chart of the crane.

2. References

2.1 Applicable Publications—The following publications form a part of this specification to the extent specified
herein. The latest issue of SAE publications shall apply.

2.1.1 SAE PUBLICATIONS—Available from SAE, 400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096-0001.

SAE J375—Radius-of-Load or Boom Angle Indicating Systems

SAE J376—Load Indicating Devices in Lifting Crane Service

3. Definitions

3.1 Load Moment System—A system consisting of devices which, when applied to a crane, sense crane loading,
boom length (telescopic only), boom angle, or functions of these, and which automatically signal when the
loading conditions approach, reach, and exceed the rated load values.

3.2 Crane Configuration—The physical arrangement of the crane as prepared for a particular operation in
conformance with the manufacturer's operating instructions and load-rating chart.

3.3 Actual Load—The weight of the load being lifted and all additional equipment such as blocks, slings, sensors,
etc.; also referred to as working load.

3.4 Rated Load—The load value shown on the applicable load-rating chart of the crane for the particular crane
configuration, boom length, boom angle, or functions of these variables. For radii outside those shown on the
load-rating chart, the rated load is to be considered as zero.

SAE Technical Standards Board Rules provide that: “This report is published by SAE to advance the state of technical and engineering sciences. The use of this report is entirely
voluntary, and its applicability and suitability for any particular use, including any patent infringement arising therefrom, is the sole responsibility of the user.”

SAE reviews each technical report at least every five years at which time it may be reaffirmed, revised, or cancelled. SAE invites your written comments and suggestions.

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Copyright 1994 Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc.

All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A.
 SAE J159 Reaffirmed APR94

4. Performance Criteria

4.1 Limit and Warning Signals—An audible and/or visual limit signal is to be activated at 100% of rated load and
also whenever the radius shall fall outside the limits of the crane's load-rating chart. The limit signal shall
continue to function as long as the load is at or in excess of 100% of rated load, or as long as the radius is
outside the limits of the crane's load-rating chart.

An audible and/or visual warning signal, readily distinguishable from the limit signal, is to be activated as the
rated load is approached. This warning signal is to be activated at not more than 90% of the load at which the
100% limit signal is activated.

Visual and/or audible signals are to have the visual signal clearly visible and the audible signal clearly
distinguishable from engine and machinery noise. Their location shall not create an operational hazard.

4.2 System Capacity—The load-moment system capacity is to be either compatible with the maximum capacity of
the crane as specified by the crane manufacturer, or compatible with the maximum allowable lift for a specific
crane configuration, less than maximum capacity.

4.3 Accuracy

4.3.1 LIMIT SIGNAL ACTIVATION—The actual load which activates the limit signal is to be not less than 90% of the
rated load nor more than 100% of the rated load for the corresponding actual load radius or boom angle.

4.3.2 WARNING SIGNAL ACTUATION—The actual load which activates the warning signal is to be no greater than
90% of the actual load which activates the limit signal.

4.4 Additional Functions—When load, radius, or angle are displayed as additional functions of the load-moment
system, the displayed function is to conform to the following:

4.4.1 LOAD—When load indication is displayed as an additional function of the load-moment system, its
performance criteria are to be in accordance with the current revision of SAE J376.

4.4.2 R ADIUS—When radius indication is displayed as an additional function of the load-moment system, its
performance criteria are to be in accordance with the current revision of SAE J375.

4.4.3 ANGLE—When angle indication is displayed as an additional function of the load-moment system, its
performance criteria are to be in accordance with the current revision of SAE J375.

4.5 Temperature Effect—Specified accuracy is to be maintained over ambient temperature variations of −30 to
+50 °C (−22 to +122 °F) without external adjustment.

4.6 Strength Margin—When any part of the load-moment system is employed in the load-supporting system so
that its failure could cause the load to be dropped, its strength margin is not to be less than the minimum
strength margin of the other load-supporting members.

4.7 Operation Check—The system is to include a means for the operator or other responsible persons to
determine that it is operative prior to crane use.

4.8 Testing—The system is to be performance tested by the installer initially and by the user at intervals
recommended by the manufacturer(s), or at any time there is an indication of inaccuracy (4.3 and 4.4 , and
Section 6 ).

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 SAE J159 Reaffirmed APR94

5. General Requirements

5.1 Installation and Maintenance—Installation and maintenance of the load-moment device and maintenance of
the crane are to be in accordance with the appropriate manufacturer's recommendations to attain system
accuracy.

5.2 Identification—Labels are to be conspicuously placed on a system component(s) or in the operator's cab, or
both, giving the following information:

a. Identification of applicable load-rating chart and rating conditions

b. Units of measure as applicable
c. Maximum capacity of the load-moment system per 4.2
d. Operating range of the load-moment system for which the performance criteria of 4.3 and 4.4 are met
e. Basic operating instructions and precautions, including recommended intervals for performance
testing
f. Device manufacturer's name, address, and device model number

5.3 Manual—Manual(s) containing installation, operation, test, and service information is (are) to be provided by
the manufacturer and shall be available to the operator or other responsible persons at all times.

6. Performance Evaluation Tests

6.1 General Testing Requirements

6.1.1 Test personnel are to be familiar with the system operation and the manufacturer's recommended test
procedures, and are to check the systems for all functions.

6.1.2 System tests are to be conducted using an appropriately configured crane and specified load-rating chart.

6.1.3 For system calibration, two or more loads are to be employed for each of the following configurations to
establish compliance with 4.1, 4.3, and 4.4:

a. Maximum Boom Length and Maximum Radius (Min. Angle)

b. Maximum Boom Length and Minimum Radius (Max. Angle)
c. Minimum Boom Length and Maximum Radius (Min. Angle)
d. Minimum Boom Length and Minimum Radius (Max. Angle)

6.1.4 For periodic calibration checks, two or more test loads are to be employed to activate alarms.

6.1.5 TEST DATA—Test forms are to include, but not be limited to, the following information:

a. Owner(s)
b. Crane manufacturer, model, and serial number
c. Device manufacturer, model, and serial number
d. Crane configuration at time of test, method of test-load application, location of load sensor, radius/
angle sensor, and test readings
e. A statement that the system met (did not meet) the performance criteria of 4.3 and 4.4 or that
recalibration was necessary in order to achieve the required accuracy. The system accuracy
calculation is to be a part of such report.

6.1.6 All test records are to be signed and dated. A copy of the current test record is to be available at all times.

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 SAE J159 Reaffirmed APR94

6.2 Test Procedures—One of the following test procedures or equivalent is to be used:

6.2.1 KNOWN WEIGHT

a. Test load to be applied by suspending known weights accurate to ±1%. If the weights of all additional
equipment such as blocks, slings, sensors, etc., are included in the test load, the total load is to be
known to an accuracy of ±1%. Starting with load at a short radius (load within rating), lift load and
increase radius slowly until the limit signal is activated. Measure and record radius. Two or more
readings are to be taken with each test load. Similarly, check the warning signal.

b. Determine the system accuracy in accordance with 6.3.

6.2.2 FIXED ANCHOR (DEADMAN)

a. Test load to be applied by hoisting against a fixed anchor (deadman) equipped with a means for
measuring load (accurate to ±1%). If the weights of all additional equipment such as blocks, slings,
sensors, etc., are held in the test load, the total load is to be known to an accuracy of ±1%.

Referring to the crane's load-rating chart, position the crane at the desired radius. Adjust the hoisting
force, keeping the hoist line vertical within 0.5 degree. Measure and record radius and value of test
load at which the limit signal is activated. Two or more readings are to be taken. Similarly, check the
warning signal.

b. Determine the system accuracy in accordance with 6.3.

6.3 Computations—For each radius measured in the previous tests, refer to the applicable load-rating chart and
determine the rated load. At radii intermediate to those on the load-rating chart, rated load shall be determined
by linear interpolation unless otherwise specified by the crane manufacturer.

The system accuracy is to be determined from Equation 1:

(Eq. 1)

PREPARED BY THE SAE OFF-ROAD MACHINERY TECHNICAL

COMMITTEE SC31—CRANES AND LIFTING DEVICES

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 SAE J159 Reaffirmed APR94

Rationale—Not applicable.

Relationship of SAE Standard to ISO Standard—Not applicable.

Application—This SAE Recommended Practice applies to cranes when used in lifting-crane service which
are equipped with load-moment devices.

Reference Section

SAE J375—Radius-of-Load or Boom Angle Indicating Systems

SAE J376—Load Indicating Devices in Lifting Crane Service

Developed by the SAE Off-Road Machinery Technical Committee SC31—Cranes and Lifting Devices

Sponsored by the SAE Off-Road Machinery Technical Committee