Suggestions for flying big cabinets

Michael John

Michael John

Junior
Jun 25, 2011
352
9
18
Sydney, Australia
eclipseaudio.com
Hi,

I regularly do outdoor events where I fly 4 x ~25kg cabinets at about 4 to 5 metres high using rented truss spanned between a rented pair of VMB Towerlifts.

I just purchased a pair of Clair R4 mark III's and at 122kg (268 lbs) each, they're a significant jump in weight. I've calculated that the truss and Towerlifts can handle these, but rather than renting, I'd like to have something myself.

The VMB's are >$3000 each here in Australia. Does anyone have any safe but low to moderately expensive ideas for raising the R4's easily off the ground? Something that doesn't take too long to assemble. (Sometimes 1.5 metres is enough. Other times I need 5m.)

Best,
Michael
 
Re: Suggestions for flying big cabinets

I'm afraid there is no "cheap" way to do this the simplest way if you can get a single fly point from the R4's flyware is this
VMB TL-A220 Line Array Towerlift - Black - A.C. Rigging - Support & Grip - Winch - VMB Material Lifts, not cheap but it's rated for outdoors and it can be guyed as well there is a bigger one if you need more height. If the R4's rigging won't attach then your buying pretty much what you are hiring, very few crank lifts are actually rated for outdoor use so be very careful, there are truss type structures which use special adaptors and hinges etc with standard truss which can make more sense if you already own suitable truss. G
 
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Re: Suggestions for flying big cabinets

Hey Michael,
If you are flying the R4's, PLEASE make sure you get the proper hardware from Clair (or Jands) for them. The proper way is with "nunchucks" that link the cabinets together. They fit in the corner extrusion and are about 9" long. I'm pretty sure they are a custom part Clair has manufactured for their classic hardware like the R4 has.

The danger is that I have seen some companies with R4 use a stock piece from ATM, that while it seems to fit does not latch and hold into the track as well and can slip out. Whatever you do, just check with Clair, they should be happy to help you, if you can't find an answer let me know and I'll try and help you out.
 
Re: Suggestions for flying big cabinets

Hi Tom,

Thanks again for the advice. The cabinets arrived last week. Since I'll be hanging the cabinets separately - not joined - I separated the nunchucks into halves (by cutting the centre chain link) and I put a shackle on the end of each chain piece. That gives two nunchuck bars (each with 2 chain links and a shackle) for each speaker.

Each corner of the R4's has both a top and side rigging slot. Photos I've seen of R4's in the air show the nunchucks inserted in the side slots, not the top slots. Do you know which is best? From my limited mechanical engineering knowledge, either the top or side slot would put the same rotational stress on the nunchuck bar so I don't think it matters. (Plus I've seen columns of up to 12 speakers, where the top nunchucks must be handling over half a tonne.)

Best,
Michael
 
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Re: Suggestions for flying big cabinets

Michael Smithers said:
Hi Tom,

Thanks again for the advice. The cabinets arrived last week. Since I'll be hanging the cabinets separately - not joined - I separated the nunchucks into halves (by cutting the centre chain link) and I put a shackle on the end of each chain piece. That gives two nunchuck bars (each with 2 chain links and a shackle) for each speaker.

Each corner of the R4's has both a top and side rigging slot. Photos I've seen of R4's in the air show the nunchucks inserted in the side slots, not the top slots. Do you know which is best? From my limited mechanical engineering knowledge, either the top or side slot would put the same rotational stress on the nunchuck bar so I don't think it matters. (Plus I've seen columns of up to 12 speakers, where the top nunchucks must be handling over half a tonne.)

Best,
Michael
Click to expand...
Hi,Michael. Yes,it does matter how the 'chucks are installed. The top extrusion is for a pair of "Top Bars" that run from front to rear of the cabinet,and attach to the bumper above,when hanging array or single cabinet. The "Nunchucks" should always be placed in the side rail extrusion with the chains straight up,with no lateral pull on the extrusion. You can change the vertical angle by moving the 'chuck forward or aft.
All Clair rigging for the S-4/R-4 are pull tested to 16,500lbs.
Give me an e-mail if you need any info on any Clair product. I've been with them 32 years,and helped in the development of the Nunchuck system.
Rex Ray
Sr. Engineer,Clair Nashville
(615)-227 6657 shop
(615)-226-2611 fax
[email protected]
 
Re: Suggestions for flying big cabinets

Hi Rex,

Thank you very much. I'll use the side extrusions then. The shackles I'm using are only rated to 1,650lbs but that's more than adequate for 1 cabinet. I must say the nunchuck system is really nice - very, very easy to use. And the cabinets sound fantastic. I've had them running off a pair of PLM's for a few days now. 10k for the mids and highs, and a 14k for the lows. (Clair in Aus sent me the module.)

Thanks again,
Michael
 
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