Frequently Asked Questions

Q. As a site manager, how much control will I have over the running of the cranes anti-collision system? How do I know if the TAC 3000 is bypassed?
A. In the base of every monitor screen in the drivers cab there is a space for a key which turns the system on or puts it into bypass mode. If the site manager does not wish the system to be bypassed, then he can turn it on and remove the key. Subsequently, if anyone tries to tamper with the systems power or individual components, then it will detect this on its self-diagnostic test and go into error mode. The TAC 3000 will shut the crane down, its strobe will come on to warn site staff that it is not working and other drivers will be told by their LCD monitors [click to view] that the crane is not functioning. To start the system up, simply insert the key and turn it again.

Q. Can the TAC 3000 be fitted to any make/model of tower crane?
A. Yes, the TAC 300 is suited to both driver operated tower cranes and pedestrian/remote operated tower cranes. Because there is no mechanical interface with the crane itself and because its parameters must be customised for each crane, it can be adapted to the handling characteristics of any crane

Q. How long does it take to fit a TAC 3000?
A. We allow 5 hours per crane for installation. Some require less time and others require a full 5 hours.
The TAC 3000 can be pre-installed in an owner’s yard prior to erection and then connected to the crane on site thus saving on downtime.

Q. How long do you need to commission a crane on a site?
A. It varies, for a simple job such as adding anti-collision for 2 cranes, with no zones or boundaries to protect, it may only require 30 minutes to commission and test. For a more complex jobsite with a combination of anti-collision cover, boundary protection and several zones, it will require longer.
It is not necessary for an engineer to climb the crane in order to commission a system. He has the ability to do so wirelessly from a site office or his own vehicle. However, he may choose to climb the crane for ease of communication with a driver.

Q. What sort of driver training is required in order to operate with the system fitted?
A. There is minimal driver training required. Whilst a EURO TCS Systems engineer installs and commissions the TAC 3000 on a jobsite, he will get the driver to operate the crane and demonstrate to him how the system works. The LCD screen [click to view] which fits in the cab is very user friendly, easily understood and suitable for both native and non-native English speakers.

Q. How many cranes can be protected on a single jobsite with the TAC 3000?
A. You can protect up to 252 cranes on a single site using the TAC 3000.

Q. I have to climb/jack up the cranes on a construction site several times over the course of a project. How difficult is it to alter the settings so that I can maintain anti-collision protection?
A. All site modifications are carried out wirelessly by an engineer from EURO TCS Systems who will visit the site and input the new parameters required. Most changes can be accommodated with minimal downtime. It is not necessary for the engineer to climb any cranes. All cranes on a single site can be updated simultaneously.

Q. If the system on one crane malfunctions, will all the cranes lose their cover?
A. No. It is extremely rare that a system stops working through a fault, however if one system should develop a fault/be somehow damaged, the others will continue to work normally. The crane with the system that is off/faulty will be able to continue operating in bypass mode but will not be covered for anti-collision to other cranes or boundary/zoning protection. A strobe light will show on the base of the crane that it is not covered, and all the other cranes on the system will be alerted through their displays that its TAC system is not functioning.

Q. I want to power down one crane on a site and continue using the remainder, will I be able to do so?
A. Yes. When you power down the crane/bypass the TAC 3000 system, a strobe shows on the base of the cab to alert the site that it is not protected and the LCD screen [click to view] in the other driver’s cabs informs them that it is not working. The crane that is powered down will not be protected against other cranes which are working in its vicinity. However you will be able to continue with all other cranes on the construction site.

Q. I am considering using the TAC 3000 for my fleet, but I only require anti-collision, boundary or zoning protection on about 20% of my tower cranes/jobs.
A. When we install the TAC 3000, we do so with a ‘quick disconnect’ which makes subsequent installations in the same crane much faster. Over time, your whole fleet would become wired with quick disconnects and save even more time on installation. In addition, we could train your technicians to install and decommission systems so as to give you more control over how you deploy systems.

Q. How reliable is the TAC 3000?
A. Euro TCS Systems Ltd believes the TAC 3000 to be the most reliable Tower Crane anti-collision, boundary and zoning protection safety system on the market. Due to the lack of a mechanical interface with the crane, there are fewer moving parts and therefore less potential points of failure.

Q. How does the self-diagnostic test work?
A. The TAC 3000 performs a self-test of all its components every 2 seconds. If any one component is in an error state, then the LCD monitor [click to view] will inform the driver of that crane and all other cranes that there is a fault. It will also tell you which part is in an error state eg. Antennae etc.

With the additional TAC View software, you will be able to view the cranes operations in real time in the construction site office and see exactly how they are all functioning. In the near future, we will be offering a black box facility which will record all movements and you will be able to consult about any incidents on site.