Why is it necessary to luff the boom to its minimum radius when adjusting 'travelling type' counterweights?

When adjusting 'travelling type' counterweights, luffing the boom to its minimum radius is essential to lock or unlock the counterweights. This action allows the rigging operator to engage or disengage the counterweights safely. The primary reason for this adjustment is to facilitate proper placement and movement of the counterweights, ensuring they operate effectively throughout the boom's range. Luffing positions the boom in a way that provides the necessary leverage and stability for managing the counterweights, allowing them to be secured without risking accidental movement or imbalance during operation.

While protecting equipment is always a consideration in rigging practices, the direct purpose of luffing the boom in relation to counterweights focuses on the locking mechanism. Maintaining balance and ensuring maximum lifting capacity are also critical aspects of rigging, but they are not the primary reasons for adjusting the boom to its minimum radius when working specifically with travelling type counterweights. The emphasis on locking or unlocking the weights underscores the critical safety and operational protocols necessary in rigging practices.