Description

PAT DS 350 G 1987 Operators Manual

You ever try to run a crane without knowing the exact load moment limits? That’s how you bend a boom or worse. The PAT DS 350 G 1987 Operators Manual is the factory document that tells you exactly how to operate, program, and troubleshoot the load moment indicator. 51 pages, published in 1987, direct from PAT. No aftermarket guesswork. If you’re working on a crane equipped with this system, you need this book on the seat next to you – not a photocopy of a copy.

System Description: Operating Console and Function

Starting on page 1.3, the manual breaks down the system. Section 3 covers the Operating Console (page 1.5) and System Function (page 1.6). You get a clear diagram of what each button and display does. No assumptions – just the OEM layout. If you’ve ever tried to interpret a third-party description of the console, you know why factory is better. The manual shows the exact sequence for the information run on page 1.7. Don’t skip that step – it verifies the sensor inputs before you lift a load.

Programming Procedure: Setting Operating Mode

Section 4.2 is where the real work happens. The manual walks you through the programming procedure starting on page 1.23. Subsection 4.2.1 covers setting of operating mode – you select between crane configurations, boom lengths, and jib setups. Each step is numbered. There is no “press this button and hope” in this manual. PAT specifies the exact sequence required to lock in the mode. Miss a step and the indicator will give false readings. I’ve seen guys trust a misprogrammed indicator and overload the boom. That’s a shop shutdown waiting to happen.

Angle Limits: Activating and Setting

On page 1.28, subsection 4.2.2 details activating and setting angle limits. This is critical. The DS 350 G monitors boom angle and warns you before you exceed the rated envelope. The manual tells you the procedure to enter the angle limit values – these are not generic numbers. They come from the crane manufacturer’s load chart. You need to input them correctly. The manual also covers how to disable limits for specific operations (like when using a manual override). That section includes a warning box – pay attention to it. Page 1.2 is all warnings. Read that before you touch the console.

Pre-Operation Inspection – Page 1.33

Section 5 starts on page 1.33. This is the pre-operation inspection checklist. Every day before you run the crane, you run through these checks. The manual lists sensor mounting, cable connections, display function, and the test load procedure. It’s not optional. I know shops that skip this because “it’s fine.” Then they have a failure mid-lift. The inspection takes ten minutes. The manual gives you the pass/fail criteria – no ambiguity. Do it.

Troubleshooting: When the Reading Doesn’t Match

Section 7 – Troubleshooting – starts on page 1.38. This is the part DIY guys love because it saves them a call to the dealer. The manual lists symptoms like “No display,” “Incorrect load reading,” “Angle sensor failure,” and gives the probable causes and corrective actions. Each entry is short and direct. No flowcharts, no multiple-choice trees – just what to check first. For example, if the display shows constant “OVERLOAD” with no load on the hook, the manual tells you to check the tension link wiring and connector. That kind of direction cuts diagnostic time in half. You can reference load moment indicator basics if needed, but the manual has the specific PAT diagnostic steps.

Unlike a Manual Transmission guide, this is for crane safety systems. The manual does not cover engine repair – it’s strictly the load moment indicator electronics and programming. Keep that in mind. If you need the crane’s mechanical service manual, that’s a different document. This operators manual is part of the required documentation set for any DS 350 G-equipped crane.

Don’t confuse this with a Manual Transmission manual – it’s specific to load moment indicators. The DS 350 G is a dedicated device, not a generic controller. PAT built these for demanding construction environments. The manual reflects that: robust, no fluff, just the procedures you need.

Related manuals you may want: PAT DS 350 DS 1334 2000 Operators Manual – Load Moment Indicator covers a later variant. If you work on the EI series, see PAT EI 65 1999 Operators Manual – Factory Specs for Crane Load Indicators. For the Grove AT422T with DS 350, use PAT DS 350 2003 Operators Manual – Grove AT422T Load Moment Indicator. Each manual is model-specific – don’t cross-apply procedures.

General Information and Warnings

The first two sections (pages 1.1 and 1.2) set the stage. General information tells you the manual’s scope and how to use it. Warnings are in bold caps – things like “DO NOT OPERATE THE CRANE IF THE INDICATOR IS NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY.” These aren’t suggestions. They are the manufacturer’s liability protection and your safety net. I’ve torqued head bolts for 28 years, and when a warning says “verify before lift,” you verify. The manual gives you the verification procedure. Use it.

Does this manual include electrical schematics?

No. This is an operators manual, not a service manual. Electrical diagrams are in the service/repair manual.

What models are compatible with this manual?

This manual is specifically for the PAT DS 350 G Load Moment Indicator as used on various cranes from the late 1980s. It covers the operating console version DS 350 G with firmware dated 2/1/87. If you have a different revision (e.g., DS 350 H or DS 350 K), the programming steps may differ. Check the part number on your console label. The manual does not cover the DS 350 D or later models with digital displays. For those, use the corresponding model-specific manual linked above.

Is this a reproduction or a reprint?

It is a direct scan of the original 1987 publication – 51 pages, complete with the original PAT cover and table of contents. No text has been altered. It is a PDF of the factory document.

Can I use this to troubleshoot error codes?

Yes. Section 7 (Troubleshooting) covers common issues like no display, incorrect load reading, and angle sensor failures. It lists probable causes and corrective actions. For codes not listed, you will need the service manual or dealer support.

If you operate or maintain equipment with a PAT DS 350 G load moment indicator, get the factory operators manual. Don’t rely on memory or a worn-out photocopy. Access the Factory Manual and keep it in the cab. Your lift – and your boom – depend on it.