During instability of a guy derrick, what is the recommended corrective action?

• A. Add extra guylines
• B. Increase counterweights
• C. Widen the base
• D. Lower the lift height

Answer: (A)

A guy derrick stays upright through tensioned guylines that create a stable restraint around the mast. When instability is observed, the correct action is to add extra guylines (and tighten the existing ones) to increase lateral restraint and restore the proper tension and geometry of the guy system. This directly addresses the cause of instability by strengthening the restraint against swaying and tipping. Adding weight wouldn’t fix the lateral restraint and could even worsen tipping moments; widening the base is usually not feasible and doesn’t improve the guy system; lowering the lift height reduces moment but doesn’t restore the restraint mechanism and isn’t the preferred corrective action.