"We were excited to become aware of the Eilon load cell system in 2007. We had initially been using Analogue Dynamometers when we had critical loads, which required that a climber visit the truss for every read.
In the early nineties we purchased a wired load cell system, which was a fantastic improvement. I recall being delighted that I could effectively watch someone walk across the truss while just staring at the display, because the readings were instantaneous.
The wired system had its problems though. It was time consuming to install, and small wires at the intersection of moderately large forces, is a recipe for problems.
Enter the Eilon system, with robust Dynos which were almost as small as the wired ones, software which provided a far better visualization of the structure(s), and vastly improved data presentation.
We started in late 2007 with a purchase of eight, but in early 2008 bought eight more as we saw how well they were fulfilling our needs.
We made a larger purchase in 2012 which gave us the ability to field three separate systems, with a total of forty eight three ton Dynos.
For our purposes the three ton has been the best capacity increment, although we did buy twenty ten ton Dynos for a specific project.
Over the years we have seen a steady improvement in both the software and hardware, and I feel that they have always responded well to critical feedback.
Whenever I encountered aspects of the system which made my life harder, I felt free to convey this to them, and I find myself now with no complaints, and a system which is about as easy to use as can be.
I have likened it to the difference between an old PC and an iPad. With the PC you were forced to conform to the needs of the computer in order to use it, whereas the iPad felt as though it was making life easier straight away.
The Eilon system, after it has been set up, stays out of the way and does its job, leaving me free to perform the myriad other tasks which I have on any given project."
Gary Mardling
Rigger
Kish Rigging
November 2021
