Problems are inevitable in life. But when the investment is huge, the problems are also scary. An Overhead crane is a big investment for any construction company and you will want your investment to last for many years, if not decades. Just like any piece of machinery, cranes are also bound to degrade over time. But, with certain preventive measures, you can get much more use out of your overhead crane.

Here’s a descriptive guide on the most effective ways to overcome industrial crane’s problem –

1. Regular Inspection

The best preventive measure we can recommend is getting your crane inspected regularly. Inspecting your crane will allow you to replace or repair certain parts beforehand and avoid an entire system failure which will be even more costly to repair. Regular inspection will also act as a safety measure and prevent your workers’ lives from any hazards. Regular inspection will keep your machinery at top efficiency, help reduce costly downtime, and finally extend the life of the equipment.

2. Operating Environment

Just like our lives, the environment plays a very important role in the lifespan of an overhead crane and its equipment. Environmental factors like scorching heat, the presence of chemicals, steam, dust particles, or excess moisture can require special metal coatings to protect and enhance the operating life of the crane or else it reduces efficiency and long term hazards. If these factors are not taking into consideration while taking care of the crane, it can get damaged by corrosion, oxidation and other things.

Also Read: Important Things To Keep In Mind Before Buying An Industrial Crane

3. Electrification System

Electrical issues are one of the major concerns, as they not only harm the equipment, but also put the lives of your workers in danger. There can be many electrification errors, including problems with contact interruptions, blown fuses, and even problems with push-button pendants or radio controls. Electrical hazards can be prevented with regular inspections and shock-proofing the entire system. One of the most frustrating problems that a crane operator can experience is when there are contact interruptions between the conductor bars and the collector. These contact interruptions can cause intermittent control problems with the overhead crane system.

4. End Truck Wheels

End truck wheels are components of the overhead cranes that just need maintenance, repairing or a tiny bit of adjustment. Throughout the life of an overhead crane, end truck wheels naturally degrade due to normal usage and need timely care and assistance. These are smaller parts which, if not paid attention to, will lead up to bigger hazards and even a breakdown of the entire system. Keeping these smaller issues solved will help reduce the much costly downtime. No matter how great the quality of the crane is, truck wheels are bound to wear off. Hence, getting them replaced over a period of time is the best solution that we can suggest.

5. Overloading

Overloading causes one of the biggest downfalls of an overhead crane. Not just the loss of equipment, but overloading also puts your workers’ lives at risk. According to a survey done by OSHA (OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY and HEALTH ADMINISTRATION), 80% of crane hazards and structural failures can be attributed to exceeding the crane’s operational capacity. When the operator overloads a crane, it is exposed to structural stress, depressions on the wire ropes, etc., which may not only cause an irreversible damage, but will also cost you your entire overhead crane. It is extremely necessary to orient the operators about the capacity of the crane. Many a times, it can be seen that operators trust on guesses of an object’s weight and swing it on the crane. But that is harmful to the process. The operator needs to know the exact weight of the object being lifted, and also the lifting capacity of the crane. Formal training will avoid overloading and will act as a preventive measure from serious accidents. Also, staying true to oneself and using the crane according to its capacity will be beneficial. Overloading may seem a minor risk, but it can cost you the downfall of your entire investment.

Also Read: Five Industries That Use Overhead Cranes

So, these were certain measures that we would suggest you to follow for the betterment and longevity of your crane, and also for the safety of your workers. Cranes are an investment. And if done right, these can give greater returns, more than you can imagine.