An overhaul hook ball, also known as an overhaul ball or headache ball, is a heavy weight that is attached to the end of a crane's cable, above the lifting hook. It is used to keep the cable under sufficient tension even when no load is attached.[1][2][3] Although commonly spherical as the name suggests, overhaul balls may also be ellipsoidal or cylindrical.

A crane hook and overhaul ball assembly

Overhaul balls should be distinguished from wrecking balls, which although superficially similar looking, are different and serve a different purpose.

References edit

  1. ^ "What is a Headache Ball? | All Lifting". www.alllifting.com.au. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  2. ^ "Headache Ball AKA Overhaul Hook Balls". www.edtengineers.com. 2019-01-31. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  3. ^ "Incident Investigation Report: Overhaul ball falls from crane, striking worker". worksafebc.ca. June 2005. Retrieved 2023-10-17.