Showerthought: My old way of judging wind for a pick was totally wrong

I was setting up for a big lift in Corpus Christi last week, moving a 15-ton HVAC unit onto a roof. The wind was steady at about 18 mph, gusting higher. I always used to just watch the trees and my little flag, but this time I tried something my buddy mentioned. I tied a 6-foot length of surveyor's ribbon to the end of my main hook block before I even rigged the load. Watching that thin ribbon dance gave me a way better feel for the real wind right at the hook, not just up where I was sitting. It showed me swirls and changes I couldn't see from the cab. That little trick made the whole pick feel smoother and way more controlled. Has anyone else found a simple, cheap tool that gives you better info than the fancy stuff?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_elliot18d ago

Honestly, how have I never heard of that ribbon trick? That's genius. Tbh I've always just gone by the weather app and felt pretty dumb when the wind at ground level was totally different. Might grab some ribbon myself before the next job.

david_jones3818d ago

You've never used a ribbon before?

mark_carr718d ago

Yeah the weather app thing is a common trap lol. Those readings are usually from an airport miles away and way up high. The wind at your actual job site, especially around buildings, is totally different. That ribbon trick shows you the real wind you're dealing with right where the load is.