The 3-block boom extension trick that actually worked for me vs the manual method

I had this job out near Modesto where I needed to set a steel beam on top of a 5-story frame. Problem was my reach was just a few feet short with the standard boom. Old school foreman told me to try the 3-block approach where you extend the boom while it's under load. I mean everyone says never do that, right? But he showed me this specific technique with a slow gradual extension and a tagline setup. The other option was driving 45 minutes to swap rigs. I tried the 3-block thing and it worked perfect no drama. Got the beam set in 20 minutes. But now I'm wondering if I just got lucky or if there's places where this legit makes sense. Any of you guys ever do this or is it just a bad habit waiting to bite me?

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the_angela1d ago

That's basically the construction version of a trust fall with a 5 ton beam. Glad it worked but man I'd be sweating bullets the whole time.