Pro tip: Validate any shop-made lead extensions before full operation

I nearly had a serious incident after my fabricated lead extension flexed under load. This deflection can compromise pile alignment and operator safety if not caught early. How do you stress test your custom components to ensure they handle job site forces?

3 comments

3 Comments

uma6062h ago

Ever hear about what happened to my buddy's crew last spring? They had a similar scare with a custom bracket that wasn't proof-loaded. Honestly, they now use a hydraulic ram to apply 150% of the expected working load before it leaves the shop. They even mark the max deflection with paint pens so any movement in the field is obvious.

viola942h ago

Seems like a lot of hassle for a bracket. I've seen plenty of custom jobs work fine without that level of testing. Maybe they're just being overly cautious.

tara7751h ago

Insurance companies love denying claims for untested gear. A workshop got sued after a bracket failed on site. Their liability coverage was void without load certs. Now they test everything, even simple brackets. Testing cost is minimal versus lawsuit damages. Deflection marks are just smart protection.