Grip Factory Munich GF-9 User Manual

Grip Factory Munich

YOUR INNOVATIVE PARTNER FOR CAMERA SUPPORT

GF-9

Crane System

Instruction Manual

Valid: Sep. 2007

Grip Factory Munich GmbH
Fürholzener Straße 1
85386 Eching bei München
Germany

Tel.: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

e-Mail: [e-mail]

http://www.g-f-m.net

GF-9 Crane System Instruction Manual

Page: 1

Contents:

SAFETY GUIDELINES ............................................................................................... 2

GF- 9 Assembly procedure on base dolly ................................................................... 3

GF- 9 assembly on tripod ............................................................................................ 6

Assembly of GF- 9 Crane System on Tripod and Track Dolly ..................................... 8

The rigging system ..................................................................................................... 9

Assembly and Technical Specifications .................................................................... 11

Version 1-150 D .......................................................................................................... 11

Version 2-150 D .......................................................................................................... 12

Version 3-150 D .......................................................................................................... 13

Version 4-150 D .......................................................................................................... 14

Version 5-150 D .......................................................................................................... 16

Version 6-150 D .......................................................................................................... 18

Version 7-150 D .......................................................................................................... 20

Version 8-150 D .......................................................................................................... 22

Version 9-150 D .......................................................................................................... 24

Version 10-150 D ........................................................................................................ 26

Balancing the crane arm ........................................................................................... 28

Deloading: .................................................................................................................. 28

General Safety .......................................................................................................... 28

Accessories for GF- 9 crane ..................................................................................... 29

GF-9 Base as Track- or Westerndolly ....................................................................... 30

GF-9 Crane System Instruction Manual

Page: 2

SAFETY GUIDELINES

The assembly instructions must be read and understood before set-up or operation. The crane may only be

assembled in accordance with the manufacturer’s instruction manual. The manufacturers technical

specifications and limits must be adhered to at all times and in no way exceeded.
The GF-9 Crane may only be set-up or operated by trained and experienced personnel. To avoid misuse by

untrained personnel, the crane should be dismantled when not in use or under supervision.
For further information on the qualifications required for test personnel please refer to BGV 1, § 33 and §34.

The crane may not be assembled or operated under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any other intoxicating
substances. The respective protective clothing e.g. gloves, should be worn.

The manufacturer accepts no liability for damages or injuries for incidents or accidents occurring due to
negligence by the crane operator or misuse of the crane or disregarding the instruction manual..

Before assembling the crane ensure that the ground surface is stable and cannot give way. The ground
surface must be stable enough to support at least 500 kg/m2 = 1100 lbs/ sq yard.

Crane operation is only allowed with solid tires. Use with pneumatic wheels is not allowed.
The crane dolly must be level at all times. If necessary, level the crane base dolly with the provided levelling

legs or level it on the tripod base. Whether operating or moving the crane on track or on a solid ground
surface it is essential that the track or surface is completely level, stable and free from obstructions.

When operating the crane on track, ensure that the track is level, properly laid and constructed. The correct
underlay must be used to ensure that the track and underlay are secured against moving, slipping and
collapse. Ensure that the underlay meets the specified support and stability requirements.
Extreme caution must be used if tracking on curved track (no faster than a slow walking pace).

Use of the crane on insert vehicles, camera cars or any motorised vehicle is not allowed. The manufacturer
accepts no liability for damages or injuries for incidents or accidents occurring due to use of the crane on
insert vehicles, camera cars or any other motorised vehicles.

Changing weather conditions should be taken into consideration. The crane must be taken out of operation
before the operational wind speed reaches 35kmh. / 22mph. See page 24.

The complete lift and panning range of the crane must be kept clear of obstructions at all times. A safety

clearance of 0.5m / 19" to surrounding objects and 1m /39” to persons must be observed on all sides of the

crane during operation.
The crane may not be used in the direct vicinity of high voltage power cables. To avoid accidents due to

misuse in the vicinity of high voltage power cables, Safety Guidelines (especially VBG 1 and 4) as well as
VDE regulations (especially 0105 part 100) must be adhered to. If the nominal voltage cannot be
determined, a minimum clearance of 5m / 16ft must be kept at all times. Failing to do so can cause fatalities.

No loose objects may be stored or placed on the crane.
Before the counterweights are removed from the bucket, ensure that the remote bracket is resting on the

ground or alternatively supported by an appropriate stable underlay. Gradually remove the counterweights
before the remote head or camera are removed.

In the interest of safe crane operation abrupt, sudden, abrupt movement of the crane should be avoided.
Only original accessories manufactured by GFM may be used with the crane.

GF-9 Crane System Instruction Manual

Page: 3

Locked wheel brake on Base Dolly

Base Dolly with mounting column and middle section

Tilt brake

Locking screw

Pan brake

GF- 9 Assembly procedure on base dolly

Before and during assembly observe the Safety Guidelines.
For all versions::

1. Secure the base dolly so that it cannot move or roll. Lock all wheel brakes. Move the
steering rod towards the centre of the dolly or remove it so that the set-up personnel
do not trip over it.

2. Bolt the crane mounting column to the base dolly. Make sure that the 4 locking bolts
are locked securely. (Tip: the carrying handle on the bazooka should point away from
the steering end of dolly).

3. Located on the middle section are 2 tilt friction locks which may be used to lock the tilt
during set-up. Set the pivot arm at 90° to the centre post and lock these friction locks
which can be found on the left and right hand side of the middle section.

4. Mount the middle section on the mounting column. Lock the locking screw tightly.
Tip: A 12mm Allen key can be found in the mounting column’s handle to be used

as a lever

Attention : Pinch point – both tilt brakes should be locked during transport and
assembly!

GF-9 Crane System Instruction Manual

Page: 4

Rigging harness assembly

Mounting an extension arm

Securing the arm with a safety pin

Mounting the angle adjuster

Securing it with a safety pin

5. Connect the 2 sections of the rigging harness to the middle section of the GF-9 and
lock securely with the 4 locking levers..

6. Connect the cross bar to stabilize the rigging harness. Ensure that the 2 locking pins
are inserted fully.

7. Depending on the version being assembled, connect the 100cm section or the 150cm
section (this particular section has 4 connections for rigging rods) to the middle
section. Slip the connection flanges into each other and secure with the provided
safety pin.

Tip: To avoid the sections jamming or getting stuck make sure that the sections
are joined parallel. Using a small amount of lubricant also helps. We suggest rubbing
the joints with an oiled.

8. Connect the angle adjuster to the end of the 100cm or 150cm section and secure it
from the inner side of the angle adjuster with the provided safety pin.

9. Connect the turnbuckles to the rigging harness. Depending on the rear length being
used, now connect the 4 rigging rods to the turnbuckles and in turn to the rigging rod
connections on the rear extension securing with the safety pins. Hand tighten the rods
by turning the turnbuckles until the rods are taut, then secure the turnbuckles with the
locking nuts.

GF-9 Crane System Instruction Manual

Page: 5

Connecting the rigging rod to extension arm

Connecting the parallelogram rod

Securing the parallelogram rod

Levelling the angle adjuster

10. Connect the parallelogram rod (either 100cm or 150cm) to the middle section and the
angle adjuster and secure it with a safety pin at each end.

Tip: The angle adjuster has an integrated leveller. By turning it, the vertical plate
on the angle adjuster can be set to a perfect right angle. Correct setting of the angle
adjuster enhances the crane’s balance.

The assembly procedure up to this point is the same in all versions.

To assist the set-up procedure and to reduce the risk of accidents it is recommended to
use set-up support stands or rostrums to support the crane arm during set-up and
breakdown.

GF-9 Crane System Instruction Manual

Page: 6

Folded tripod

Securing the tripod legs

Locking the spreader

Extended tripod, maximum width

GF- 9 assembly on tripod

Alternatively the GF-9 may also be mounted on the dedicated GFM Heavy Duty Tripod.
Should the pan bearing not already be on the tripod at this stage it must be mounted and

securely bolted into place by securing the 6 locking bolts with an Allen Key.
Before assembling the crane on the tripod ensure that the ground surface is stable and

cannot give way and that the tripod legs cannot sink into the ground. The surface must be
able to support at least 500 kg/m2 = 1100 lbs/ sq yard. Please follow the following steps:

1. For crane operation the tripod legs must be extended to the maximum length and in
turn each leg must be secured with it’s locking pin.

2. When all 3 legs are extended, spread the tripod spreader so that the legs are at their
maximum width. Secure the spreader by locking it off with the wing nut. Always
ensure that the tripod legs are spread as wide as possible.

GF-9 Crane System Instruction Manual

Page: 7

Levelling the tripod

Securing the leveller

Maximum tilt on tripod

Avoid forceful stops into the pan bearing

Max. 30 mm

1 inch

3. Further levelling of the tripod can be achieved by turning the leveller at the bottom of
each leg and observing the water level on the pan section. Attention: the maximum
levelling range is 30mm / 1inch (see below picture). When level, lock off the leveller to
avoid any unwanted movement and twisting.

4. Now the tripod is ready. Continue assembly as from § 3 page 3.

Attention:

When using the crane ensure that the tripod legs/feet cannot shift or move, for example
when panning the arm.

When the crane is at it’s maximum tilt angle, be it in the plus or minus range, it is
important, especially when using the 100cm / 3ft rear section, to stop the arm crashing into
the pan bearing with force. A hard collision can cause the crane to topple over.!

GF-9 Crane System Instruction Manual

Page: 8

Securing the Tripod on the Track Dolly

Levelling and securing the legs

Adjusting and securing the tripod leg

Braking the Track Dolly

Assembly of GF- 9 Crane System on Tripod and Track Dolly

The assembly of the GF-9 on the Track Dolly is continued in much the same manner as
already described but a few details must be observed:

1. Upon placing the 3 Tripod legs in the fittings on the Track Dolly secure each one with
the 3 locking fasteners securing each with the 2 locking screws until hand tight.

2. Level the Tripod on the Track Dolly by turning the leveller at the bottom of each leg
and observing the water level on the pan section. Attention: the maximum levelling
range is 30mm / 1inch (see page 7). When level, lock off the leveller to avoid any
unwanted movement and twisting. Furthermore it is essential and a prerequisite that
the track is level and supported correctly. Ensure that the track properly laid and
constructed. The correct underlay must be used to ensure that the track and underlay
are secured against moving, slipping and collapse. Ensure that the underlay meets
the specified support and stability requirements.

3. The maximum Pivot Point Height ( tilt point ) allowed when using the GF-9 on the

Tripod mounted on the Track Dolly is 172cm / 5’ 7“ based on the distance from the

actual ground to the Pivot Point. This height may not be exceeded. When using GFM
Track the Tripod can be extended to the 15th hole and then secured with the
respective safety pins.

4. During assembly it is very important to secure the Track Dolly so it cannot move on
the track. For this purpose GFM Dolly Stoppers, sand bags or similar should be used.
Continue the assembly from § 3 page 3.

GF-9 Crane System Instruction Manual

Page: 9

Connecting the rigging rods

Rigging rod with double connectors

Connection for rigging rod

The rigging system

To enhance the rigidity and reduce the strain to the GF-9 arm, a rigging system consisting
of various rods and a V shaped harness is required. The rigging system must be used for
all versions.
To simplify assembly, all rigging rods, with the exception of the ones required for the
100cm and 50cm sections, are identical.

The length of the rigging depends on the number of extensions to be used. As a rule, the
rigging runs from the rigging harness mounted on the pivot section to the last section
(Versions 1 to 5) at the front or end of the crane. From Version 6 onwards the rigging runs
from the rigging harness mounted on the pivot section to the last section 150cm / 5ft
section at the front or end of the crane. Detailed drawings can be found in the following
pages. A double rigging system is required as of version 9. In this case the lower rigging
rods connect from the rigging harness to the second section whereby the 2 rods with the
double connectors should be connected to the second extension.

General instructions for assembling the rigging:

1. After connecting the turnbuckles to the rigging harness, connect the required rigging
rod and secure the rods with the provided safety pin.

2. Depending on the version, attach the required number of rods and secure them with
the provided safety pins.

3. Version 9 onwards requires a double rigging system (upper/long and lower/short).
The lower rods connect to the second extension. The 2 rods with the double
connectors as shown below must be connected to the second section with the vertical
connector in an upward direction ( accepts the adjustable rigging rod support).
Versions 1 to 8 have a single rigging system.

4. When the rods are connected together and secured with the respective safety pins,
connect the front rods to the connections for rigging rods on the respective section.

Attention: for certain versions it is necessary to use a rigging rod connector between
the second and third rigging rod (as seen from the pivot section) in the upper (long)
rigging.

5. When all the required rods are in place and connected, the turnbuckles on the rigging
harness can be hand turned until the rods are taut . The turnbuckles should adjust the
run of both sets of rods equally so that the arm is not bent or pulled to one side. Over
adjusting of the rods should be avoided.