Abstract: The device combines ballast blocks (3) that can be stacked onto a base frame of the crane, and a gripper (2) for handling these blocks, the gripper being designed to be connected, during use, to a handling means. This device comprises means of nonpermanent connection, by hooking, between the gripper (2) and a ballast block (3) and means (34, 37, 38) for centering the stacked ballast blocks (3) relative to one another. The aforementioned connection means are constituted by two opposed gripping hooks (15, 16) mounted pivotably at the ends of a lifting beam (4) of the gripper (2) and interacting with transverse pins (35) of a block (3). The rear part of each hook (15, 16) is attached to a sling (27, 28), and a lock (21, 22) is assigned to it. The invention applies in particular to the ballasting of tower cranes.

Abstract: The device combines ballast blocks (3) that can be stacked onto a base frame of the crane, and a gripper (2) for handling these blocks, the gripper being designed to be connected, during use, to a handling means. This device comprises means of nonpermanent connection, by hooking, between the gripper (2) and a ballast block (3) and means (34, 37, 38) for centering the stacked ballast blocks (3) relative to one another. The aforementioned connection means are constituted by two opposed gripping hooks (15, 16) mounted pivotably at the ends of a lifting beam (4) of the gripper (2) and interacting with transverse pins (35) of a block (3). The rear part of each hook (15, 16) is attached to a sling (27, 28), and a lock (21, 22) is assigned to it. The invention applies in particular to the ballasting of tower cranes.