Nautilus Hooks™ – Recommended Maintenance Schedule

Annual Thorough Examination

  • The manufacturer recommends annual re-certification of Nautilus Hooks by a competent and authorised testing and inspection facility.
  • Prior to re-certification, the testing and inspection facility must ensure that the Nautilus Hook remains within the manufacturers tolerances and specifications.

General Maintenance Guidelines

  • All lifting equipment, including Nautilus Hooks, should be visually inspected for obvious defects prior to each use as best practice
  • Nautilus Hooks require a thorough inspection/examination at least every six months by a competent person. Competent persons should follow the manufacturers maintenance schedule when conducting inspections of Nautilus Hooks.
  • In order to maintain the operating functionality of Nautilus Hooks it is essential to apply a general purpose lubrication to the lock slide, main load bearing pin/surfaces, and swivel joint at regular intervals such that these components always remain well lubricated.
  • Depending on the application and working environment, in particular the offshore or marine environments, Nautilus Hooks may require more frequent lubrication or an occasional flush out to remove built up grease and grime before re-lubrication, inspection and use.

Nautilus Eye Top Hooks

  • There are no components to disassemble in the Nautilus eye top hooks.
  • Check for excessive vertical movement of the locking arm on the main pin which may be indicated by an increased “gap” between the locking arm and main hook body.
  • Ensure that all moving parts are well lubricated at all times.
  • Re-certification must be in accordance with the Nautilus Hooks Specification Guidelines.

Nautilus Clevis Top Hooks

  • The load bearing clevis pin should be removed by first removing the retaining “C” pin
  • Check for excessive wear on the clevis pin and pin housing.
  • Check for excessive vertical movement of the locking arm on the main pin which may be indicated by an increased “gap” between the locking arm and main hook body.
  • Note: If the clevis pin has been removed during thorough inspection then a new retaining “C” pin must be used for re-assembly of the clevis pin.
  • Re-certification must be in accordance with the Nautilus Hooks Specification Guidelines.

Nautilus Swivel Top Hooks

  • Nautilus swivel top hooks are fitted with a Brass thrust washer which is designed to wear during use.
  • If the vertical “play” between the swivel and hook shank becomes greater than 1 mm the swivel should be disassembled by removing the “C” pin from the castle nut then removing the nut washer and swivel.
  • Check the hook shank, thread and nut thread for any signs of corrosion or wear.
  • Check the brass thrust washer for excessive wear
  • (Note: if the wear on the brass thrust washer exceeds 2mm then the thrust washer should be replaced with the appropriate spare part kit)
  • To reassemble swivel ensure parts are clean and lightly lubricated, the thrust washer must be replaced in the same orientation ie: swivel, washer- worn side up against the nut.
  • Tighten the castle nut down until finger tight (no movement in swivel) back off the nut approximately ¼ turn before inserting the “C” pin to lock the nut on.
  • Note: If the swivel has been removed during thorough inspection then a new retaining “C” pin must be used for re-assembly of the swivel and castle nut.
  • The swivel must be able to rotate freely without excessive play.
  • Check for excessive vertical movement of the locking arm on the main pin which may be indicated by an increased “gap” between the locking arm and main hook body.
  • Re-certification must be in accordance with the Nautilus Hooks Specification Guidelines
  • Thrust washer swivel hooks, which includes Nautilus Swivel Hooks, are designed to swivel in an offload condition only.
  • Note: Inspection facilities should contact the manufacturers for the specification guidelines for re-certification of Nautilus Hooks.

Warning : Nautilus swivel top hooks are NOT suitable for use in conjunction with cranes that are fitted with a powered swivel function on the main block/hook.

In this application powered main block rotation (when under load) may induce sufficient rotational torque to overcome the friction on the swivel hook thrust washer. This can result in rotational (unscrewing) forces being applied to the swivel top locking nut, potentially shearing the locking nut retaining pin and unscrewing the swivel locking nut.

The manufacturers recommend either Nautilus eye or clevis top hooks as suitable for use with powered crane swivels.

 

You can download a copy of the Maintenance Schedule here.