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ADJUSTABLE LEG LOCK FOR ALUMINUM SCAFFOLDING

THE ADJUSTABLE LEG LOCK IS A MECHANISM THAT LETS THE ADJUSTABLE LEG SLIDE IN AND OUT OF THE SCAFFOLDING FRAME. Aluminum scaffolding cannot have more than 12 inches of adjustability in its legs. For the adjustable leg to have a true 12 inches of adjustability the leg needs to have 13 inches of thread (will talk about this in another section). The adjustable leg lock is a mechanism that unlocks a split threaded nut allowing the adjustable leg to slide in and out freely. When you’ve reached your desired length you lock it by pushing the outer ring straight down. This will engage the threads of the split threaded nut into the threads of the adjustable leg.

If for some reason the ring will not slide down just slide the leg in or out just a little. What is happening is you’re trying to mesh a thread on top of another thread. So by moving the leg either in or out a little bit the thread will slide into the threads of the leg.

How it happens:

The leg lock mechanism consists of a split threaded nut and a knurled ring that when lifted and twisted up releases the split threaded nut which expands out releasing its threads from the threads of the aluminum leg. This then gives you the ability to slide the aluminum threaded leg in and out of the base frame. This gives you the ability to level your scaffolding on un-even surfaces or to help you get over objects. The adjustable legs are never to be used to gain height. Please refer to your instruction manual.

Damaged adjustable leg lock:

A picture is worth a 1000 words regarding this damaged adjustable leg lock. The adjustable leg lock is held in by a set screw. As you can see the set screw was missing from the adjustable leg lock mechanism. The customer secured the leg lock mechanism with a wire wrapped around the adjustable leg lock mechanism and over the horizontal rung.

BROKEN ADJUSTABLE LEG. CUSTOMER WIRED ADJUSTABLE LEG TEETH.

CUSTOMER LOST SET SCREW TO ADJUSTABLE LEG AND WIRED IT ON. FIX GET A NEW SET SCREW

The customer I can only assume tried to fix this in the field. What happened is he wound up holding the ring to the leg lock mechanism open. So the leg was not secured in the frame and could slide out if the scaffolding were rolled over a negative area. All the customer needed was a set screw and a screwdriver to fix the problem.

Conclusion:

I would highly recommend when it comes to parts of the scaffolding like the adjustable leg lock mechanism, adjustable legs, short pin, long pin interlock clips and bushings that the customer carries these with them at all times. The adjustable leg mechanism in the other mentioned above parts are field replaceable. So read your safety manual, carrier spare parts and the tools to make the repairs in the field.

As we like to say at Upright Scaffolds North America, “If you need to get up, get upright with Upright Scaffolds North America.”

COUPLER

I am going to present one COUPLER. Which can be used as a right angle COUPLER, in-line COUPLER or a swivel COUPLER. You can do this just by adding or removing a roll pin.

WHAT IS A COUPLER?
A Coupler is a device that joins (couples) tubing together by griping around the tubing. The type of Coupler we are going to discuss works with 2” O.D. Aluminum Scaffolding and tubing. Most Couplers come either as a right angle Coupler, in-line Coupler or swivel Coupler.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF COUPLERS:
There are three types of couplers, the right angle Coupler, In-line Coupler and the swivel Coupler. If you wanted to join two pieces of aluminum tubing at right angles you would have to buy a right angle Coupler and the same if you wanted to join two pieces of tubing parallel to each other you would buy an in-line Coupler and the same for a swivel Coupler.

ONE COUPLER THAT DOES WHAT THREE COUPLERS DO:
This is what I call a Universal Coupler. It can be configured as a swivel Coupler, a right angle Coupler and an in-line Coupler by just adding a roll pin in the proper hole for right angle Coupler setting or in-line Coupler setting. To use as a swivel Coupler you just remove the pin and the two halves swivel.

CAUTION:
Most Aluminum Scaffolding uses thin wall tubing .058 wall thickness. That is the reason for the wing nut for tightening. If you use a wrench to tighten the coupler DO NOT over tighten or you may crimp the Aluminum Scaffolding tubing.

— USES:
Have you ever had a job that you cannot access with an Aerial Work Platform or with your standard Aluminum Scaffolding?

What you need is a special Access Work Platform.

You might need to have a special Access Work Platform built which would most likely use Couplers or you might be able to use your existing Aluminum Scaffolding with just the purchase of some Universal Couplers, some heavy wall Aluminum tubing and maybe some extra frames.

The NASA AMES 40 by 80 wind tunnel use standard Double Wide Aluminum Frames with 10’ platforms and bracing along with swivel and right angle Couplers to span completely around the 40’ turbine engine.

There were a lot of swivel couplers used on this project 40 x 80 wind tunnel at NASA Ames

The Tibetan Gallery was just a standard six foot Aluminum Scaffolding Tower with a platform height of 17’ 6” and no outriggers. The Aluminum Scaffolding Tower was supported by special made brackets mounted to the wall and tubing with just the Universal Coupler used in its right angle and swivel Coupler settings.

CONCLUSION:
When the Aerial Work Platform does not work take a look at using your existing Aluminum Scaffolding and either renting or buying the extra scaffolding pieces and Couplers to access the job.

UPRIGHT SCAFFOLD NORTH AMERICA would like to thank you for taking the time to read this article and to remind you

“If you ever need to get up, get up right with UpRight Scaffold North America”.

Blog : aluminum

ADJUSTABLE LEG LOCK FOR ALUMINUM SCAFFOLDING

COUPLER

COUPLER