Derrick

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For other uses, see Derrick (disambiguation).

Two guy derricks at a granite quarry

Iron oil derrick

A derrick is a lifting device composed at minimum of one guyed mast, as in a gin pole,
which may be articulated over a load by adjusting its guys. Most derricks have at least two
components, either a guyed mast or self-supporting tower, and a boom hinged at its base to
provide articulation, as in a stiffleg derrick.
The most basic type of derrick is controlled by three or four lines connected to the top of
the mast, which allow it both to move laterally and cant up and down. To lift a load, a
separate line runs up and over the mast with a hook on its free end, as with a crane.[1][2]
Forms of derricks are commonly found aboard ships and at docking facilities. Some large
derricks are mounted on dedicated vessels, and known as floating derricks[3] and sheerlegs.

The term derrick is also applied to the framework supporting a drilling apparatus in an oil
rig.[4]
The derrick derives its name from a type of gallows named after Thomas Derrick, an
Elizabethan era English executioner.[5]

Contents
[hide]

1 Types
o 1.1 A-frame
o 1.2 Basket
o 1.3 Breast
o 1.4 Chicago boom
o 1.5 Gin pole
o 1.6 Guy
o 1.7 Shearleg
o 1.8 Stiffleg

2 Oil derrick

3 Patent systems
o 3.1 Hallen
o 3.2 Velle
o 3.3 Stlcken

4 See also

5 References

6 Further reading

7 External links

Types[edit]
There are various types of derrick based on how the tower or mast is set up and the use of
boom:[2]

A-frame derrick

Basket derrick

Breast derrick

Chicago boom derrick


Gin pole derrick

Guy derrick

Guy derrick with nonrotatable mast

Stiffleg derrick

A-frame[edit]
In an A-frame derrick, the tower is set up from two poles or masts with their bottom ends
spread from each other and their top ends joint together. There are crossbars to connect the
two poles, forming a letter "A" shape tower. The tower is ground anchored to provide
support. A boom is hinged from the lowest cross bar and extends outward and upward. The
top end of the boom is connected to a pulley system which is connected to the top of the
tower. Manipulating the pulley system will allow the boom to change the angle against the
tower. There is another pulley system to connect to the top of the boom for load lifting.
When an A-frame derrick is used in a vessel, it is called floating A-frame derrick.[2][3]

Basket[edit]
A basket derrick is a derrick without a boom that is supported by a rope-and-pole system
that forms a basket. The basket is constructed from a group of poles to form a polygon.
There are crossbars between the pole members to strengthen their support. The supporting
ropes are tied to the top of the basket poles on one end and joined together on the other end
at a lower elevation than the top of the basket poles to form the base for the derrick tower.
The derrick tower can be a mast or a post with the bottom hinged at the base where all
ropes meet. The top of the tower is secured with multiple reeved guys to position the top of
the tower to the desired location by varying the length of the upper guy lines. The load is
lifted using a pulley system connected to the top of the tower.[2]

Breast[edit]
A breast derrick is a derrick without a boom with a mast constructed from two upright
members. The upright members are more spread at their bottom ends than their top ends.
There are crossbars to join the two members from the bottom to the top to form a mast.
Without the use of boom, the top crossbar is also used to connect to a sheave or a block that
is used for lifting the load. The mast is prevented from tipping forward by guys connected
to its top.[2][3]

Chicago boom[edit]
A Chicago boom derrick is a derrick with a boom which is attached to an external structure.
The external upright member of the structure serves as the mast, and the boom is stepped in
a fixed socket clamped to the upright. The boom is connected to at least three pulley
systems to control the position of the boom. For example, a pulley system is connected to
the top of the boom and the higher area of the external structure and two pulley systems
near the top of the boom connected on either side of the boom to the external structure. The
position of the top of the boom can be controlled by manipulating these pulley systems. The
load is lifted from a separate pulley system that is connected to the top of the boom.[2][3]

Gin pole[edit]
Main article: Jin-pole
Gin pole derrick (also known as standing derrick or pole derrick) is a derrick without a
boom with single tower or mast supported by 4 guy wires (two side guys, fore guy and rear
guy). Its guys are so arranged from its top as to permit leaning the mast in any direction.
The base of the tower is hinged and the top of the tower is connected to a pulley system for
load lifting. As this is a simple derrick system, it is considered to be used by some agencies
as an improvised rescue derrick in an emergency situation where no suitable rescue derrick
or crane is available.[1][2]

Guy[edit]

Guy derrick (also known as boom derrick) is a fixed guyed mast derrick that can be
rotated and connected to a boom. The mast is in upright position with the base that can
make the mast rotate, but not to be lean in any direction. The top of the mast is connected to
many guy wires which are anchored to the ground to support the load. At the base, the mast
is also connect to the bottom end of the boom. The boom extends outward and upward to
the desired position. The top of the boom is a pulley system that is connected to the top of
the mast to control how far the boom is to be from the mast. When the mast is rotated, the
connected boom is swung from to the side. The control of the lifting location is done by the
manipulation of the top pulley system and the rotation of the mast at the base. The load is
lifted by another pulley system connected to the top of the boom.[2] In a medium load lifting,
another construction method can be used. In this case, the mast is fixed without being
rotated, but the boom can be swung around the mast. This can be done by connecting the
bottom of the boom with two boards on the opposite sides around the surface of the boom
to form a fork. The fork and the bottom part of the boom is lashed to secure them together.
Another lashing is between the fork area and the mast at a higher position to support the
weight of the boom. The fork is put around the mast such that the bottom of the boom is
rested on the mast without permanently fixed to it. The fork prevent the boom to come off
the mast while swinging up to 180 degrees.[6]

Shearleg[edit]
Further information: Shear legs
Shearleg derrick is similar to breast with an exception that instead of fixed guy wires that
secure the top of the mast, it is secured by multiple reeved guy to permit handling loads at
various radii by means of load tackle pulley system suspended from the mast top.[2] In a
simpler construction, a shearleg derrick can be assembled from two posts to form A-frame
shear legs without any crossbar. The bottom of the legs are set in two holes on the ground
spreading them apart. There is a rope to tie the two legs together near the bottom to prevent
them from spreading apart further. On the top side, the two legs are connected together by a
lashing but with a small spacer block placed between the legs. A sling, which may be made
from ropes, is placed around the area that two legs meet to be used to put a tackle pulley
system for lifting the load. There are two guy wires, front and rear, to support the shear
legs. The rear guy may be reeved to allow adjustment of the angle of the shear legs.[6]

Stiffleg[edit]
Stiffleg derrick is a derrick with a boom similar to a guy derrick, but instead of using guy
wires to secure the top of the mast, it uses two or more stiff members, called stifflegs,
which are capable of resisting either tensile or compressive forces. Sills may also be used to
connect between the bottom ends of the stifflegs and the base of the mast.[2] There may be a
counterweight to place on the siils behind the stifflegs in heavy load lifting.[6] Stiffleg
derrick on a vessel is called a floating stiffleg derrick.[3]

Oil derrick[edit]

Main article: Drilling rig

Wooden Derrick (1917)

Another kind of derrick is used around oil wells and other drilled holes. This is generally
called an oil derrick and is a complex set of machines. This is used on some offshore oil
and gas rigs.

Patent systems[edit]
This section includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but
the sources of this section remain unclear because it lacks inline citations.
Please improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (July 2014)

Hallen[edit]
The boom is connected with the lower part of the mast which is shaped like a Y or a
bipod and therefore it is a single swinging derrick. On the cross trees, two guys are fastened
using swivel outriggers which are stayed vertically and horizontally. In order to maintain a
good controlling angle between guys and derrick, the outriggers cannot pass the inboard
parallel of the centerline. Looking at the illustration, one can easily see that the right
outrigger stays in the centerline and the left outrigger has moved outboard. This derrick will
lower or heave cargo as both guys are veered or hauled. Three winches, controlled by
joystick, are necessary to operate the Hallen Derrick; two for the guys and one for the
purchase. To avoid an over-topping or over-swinging limit-switches are used. However, the
limits can be modified if a different working range or a special vertical stowage is required.
The safe working load (SWL) of the Hallen is between 10 and 80 tonnes. In a Hallen
Universal derrick, which has no Hallen D-Frame, the halyard has an extended length since
it runs through further blocks on the centerline. The Universal Hallen derrick, replacing the
D-frame option, is a kind of traditional topping lift. The Hallen D-Frame is a steel bracket

welded on the mast in the centerline. For an observer standing a beam, the frame has a Dshape. The D-Frame supersedes the outriggers and provides a good controlling angle on the
guys. The Hallen derrick has a good purpose for e.g. containers, logs, steel rail, sawn
timber and heavy lifts and doesn't lend itself for small, general cargo. It keeps the deck
clear of guy ropes and preventors. Only one winchman is needed and within a few minutes
the Hallen is brought into use. It is less expensive than a crane. A disadvantage is the low
working range of the Hallen Derrick, it is able to swing 75 from the centerline and can
work against a list of up to 15.

Velle[edit]
The Velle derrick is quite similar to the Hallen but without use of outriggers. On top of the
boom is a T-shaped yoke assembled. Also here, the guys serve for topping and lowering the
boom but they are fastened on the yoke with four short, steel-wire hanger-ropes. The ends
of the topping and lowering ends of the halyard are secured to half-barrels on one winch. In
this way the boom moves in the same speed as the winch veers the topping end of the
halyard and hauls the lowering end of the halyard, and vice versa. The slewing ends are
also wound on to another half-barrel. For hoisting the cargo, there is a third winch to hoist
to cargo on the yoke. Runners decrease swing and rotation of the cargo. A joystick duplex
controller steers the Velle derrick.

Stlcken[edit]

Stlcken heavylift derrick

The patent Stlcken derrick is used for very heavy cargo. It stems from the German
shipyard HC Stlcken & Sohn which has been taken over later by neighboring yard Blohm
& Voss. This derrick can handle up to 300 tonnes. The Stlcken can be made ready in few
minutes, dramatically faster than a traditional heavy derrick, doesn't require lots of space
and is operated by four winches. Between two v-shaped, unstayed Samson-posts is the
Stlcken secured. This makes it possible to let the derrick swing through the posts to reach
another hatch. For each post is a hoisting winch, a span winch and a lever that is run by one

man only. Bearings, swivels, sheaves and the gooseneck can be unattended for up to four
years and create only a friction of about 2%. The span tackles are independent and the
halyard is endless. With the revolving suspension heads on the posts it takes ten minutes to
swing all the way through. In the double-pendulum block type, half of the cargo tackle can
be anchored to the base of the boom. In order to double the hook speed, the halyard passes
through the purchases since one end is secured which reduces the SWL to its half. Typical
dimensions of a 275 tonne Stlcken are: 25.5 m length, 0.97 m diameter, 1.5 m to 3.4 m
diameter of posts, 18 m apart the posts (upper end) and 8.4 m apart the posts (lower end).
The hook of a full-loaded 275 tonne Stlcken can move 2.3 m per minute. If only one
purchase is secured and the derrick is loaded with 137 tonnes the hook gains velocity to
4.6 m per min. Even more speed can be gained when the winch ratios are reduced to
100 tonnes (triple speed) and 68 tonnes (quadruple speed). Detaching the union table the
double-pendulum block type of Stlcken is able to swing through which allows the lower
blocks to swing freely to each side of the boom. In this way the derrick reaches a vertical
position. A bullrope easily pulls the derrick to the other side until the weight of the cargo
tips the derrick over. The span tackles now have the weight on the other side. The union
table is fixed again and the derrick can start its work on the other side. There are also
Stlcken with single-pendulum blocks. At this type the cargo hook is detached and the
lower and upper cargo block are hauled into the center of the Stlcken. To tip the derrick
over the gravity is here used again. A derrick helps pump oil in most offshore rigs.

See also[edit]

Derek

Gyn

Pumpjack

Sheers

References[edit]

Danton, G. The Theory and Practice of Seamanship, Routledge, London.

1.

^ Jump up to: a b Australia, Emergency Management (2006). General and disaster

rescue skills for emergency services personnel (PDF) (5th ed.). Dickson, A.C.T.: Emergency
Management Australia. pp. 131132. ISBN 1921152028. Retrieved 5 July 2014.

2.

^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i j "Regulations (Standards - 29 CFR) - 1910.181:

Derricks". Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Retrieved 5 July 2014.

3.

^ Jump up to: a b c d e "Subchapter 7. General Industry Safety Orders; Group 13.

Cranes and Other Hoisting Equipment; Article 91. Definitions". Department of Industrial
Relations, State of California. Retrieved 5 July 2014.

4.

Jump up ^ Freudenrich, Craig; Strickland, Jonathan. "How Oil Drilling Works".

HowStuffWorks. Retrieved 5 July 2014.

5.

Jump up ^ Forsyth, Mark (2012). The etymologicon : a circular stroll through the
hidden connections of the English language (Berkley trade pbk. ed.). New York: Berkley
Books. p. 60. ISBN 978-0425260791. Retrieved 5 July 2014.

6.

^ Jump up to: a b c Field Manual 5-125 - Rigging Techniques, Procedures, and

Applications (PDF). The United States Army. 3 October 1995. Retrieved 6 July 2014.

Further reading[edit]

Ministry of Defence (Navy) (1995). Admiralty Manual of Seamanship. The

Stationery Office. pp. 3194. ISBN 0-11-772696-6. A swinging derrick