Description

Greer BA590, BA591 2001 Operators Manual

You show up on a job site with a crane that has an angle indicator reading 42 degrees when the boom is clearly stowed. The operator shrugs. The supervisor wants numbers. Without the factory specs, you’re guessing – and guessing with a 60-ton boom hanging overhead gets people killed. I’ve been in this trade long enough to know that OEM documentation is the only thing between a safe lift and a liability suit. This Greer BA590, BA591 2001 Operators Manual puts the exact calibration and alarm limit procedures in your hands. No reprints, no aftermarket guesswork – just Greer’s own print from 2001, all 18 pages of it.

System Overview and Power-Up Routine

Page 3 lays out the system overview. The BA590 and BA591 are angle indicator systems – they read boom angle and trip alarms if you go outside preset limits. The manual walks through powering up on page 4, what each line of the display means, and how to adjust the contrast. If you’ve ever had a display wash out in direct Texas sun, you’ll appreciate the contrast adjustment procedure. It’s two buttons and a pot setting – no guesswork.

Setting, Removing, and Adjusting Angle Alarm Limits

This is the meat of the manual. Pages 8 and 9 cover minimum and maximum angle alarm trips. You’ll learn to set a minimum angle alarm, remove it, do the same for max angle, and adjust the trip points. The manual uses the SET MIN and SET MAX buttons on the BA590 faceplate. I’ve seen guys wire in bypass switches because they didn’t have the factory sequence – that’s a code violation waiting to happen. Follow the printed steps and the system works as designed.

BA591 vs BA590 Installation – Know the Difference

The BA591 system includes the LMI program chip and indicator connection details on page 11. The BA590 system covers power cable connection and angle sensor mounting on pages 12-15. The angle sensor mounting requires a specific orientation – the manual shows the bracket alignment. You’ll need a 1/2-inch wrench for the sensor bolts, and the manual calls out the torque value? No, because this is an operator’s manual, not a service manual. But the installation section still lists the cable routing and connector types so you don’t pin a wire. Greer Element Operation Manual covers the later models with digital displays.

Inspection & Maintenance – Before Each Work Shift

Page 16 lists the pre-shift checks for both BA591 and BA590 systems. For the BA591: verify the display lights up, check the alarm sounds when you manually tilt the sensor past the set limits. For the BA590: same checks plus inspect the cable for cuts or kinks. The manual says to do an annual calibration check – I’d do it every six months on a machine that sees daily use. Neglect this and your angle reading drifts. Greer Insight Operating Manual has the calibration procedure for the newer Insight system, but for these 2001 units, this is the only document you need.

3 Reasons to Trust OEM Documentation Over Aftermarket

First, the alarm trip logic. Aftermarket manuals often simplify the sequence and miss the fact that you must hold SET MIN for three seconds while the display flashes. Second, the wiring diagrams: an aftermarket version might swap the sensor signal and ground pins, leading to erratic readings. Third, the company contact info – Greer printed their Anaheim phone and fax on every page. That tells you they expect you to call them if something doesn’t match. You won’t get that with a photocopy. Greer MG500 RCI 510 434 MG586 2002 Training Manual covers a different product line but shows the same commitment to factory accuracy.

Does This Manual Cover the Fuel System?

No. This is an operator’s manual for the angle indicator system only. It does not cover engine, transmission, or hydraulic repairs. If you need general crane maintenance specs, look at the OEM service manual for your specific crane model. For transmission-related angle sender setups, see Manual Transmission for background on mechanical linkages, but this manual is purely electronic.

What Tools Are Required for Installation?

You need a Phillips screwdriver for the indicator mounting screws, a 1/2-inch wrench for the angle sensor bracket, a wire stripper for the power cable connection, and a multimeter to verify continuity after installation. No special Greer tools. The manual lists no torque values because it’s operator-level – the sensor bolts are finger-tight plus 1/4 turn. If you’re installing on a vibrating boom, throw a drop of threadlocker on those bolts. Manual Transmission uses similar sensor mounting brackets on some models.

Does this manual cover both BA590 and BA591?

Yes. The manual covers both models in one document. It’s 18 pages. That’s it.

Can I use this manual to calibrate the angle sensor after replacing it?

Yes, but calibration is not a separate chapter – it’s integrated into the installation section. On page 14, the manual describes mounting the sensor so that the bubble level on the sensor base reads zero with the boom at a known horizontal reference. You then power up the system, enter the max and min angle values from the boom’s spec sheet, and verify the alarm trips. The manual assumes you have the boom’s angle limits from the crane manufacturer. If you don’t have those, you’re risking a tip-over. The steps are clear: set the boom at the actual minimum stow angle, press SET MIN, hold three seconds. Repeat for maximum. Then test with a digital inclinometer. I’ve done this on a Terex boom truck with a BA591 – the manual’s sequence works.

You need the factory data to keep the angle indicator reading true. This Greer BA590, BA591 2001 Operators Manual gives you the exact alarm setup, installation wiring, and inspection checklist that Greer printed in 2001. Access the Factory Manual from AutoRepairManuals and put the OEM specs on your tablet or print them for the job box.