How to Maintain and Manage Your Cranes

Cranes are some of the largest machines ever built to help in various tasks such as construction, lifting, demolition, etc. These behemoths of machines are hardwired to lift enormous loads with ease and this gives them the impression of being extremely tough and durable. They may be sturdy to an extent, but even the most powerful, state-of-the-art gantry crane needs proper maintenance in order to function correctly. Besides, even the operators using the cranes need to be well informed about proper usage techniques for their own safety and of those working around them. Here are some tips to follow to be able to maintain and manage your crane with ease.

Having a regular maintenance checkup will go a long way into increasing the lifespan of your crane. During each checkup, be sure to inspect various factors such as all the functions, the presence of defective part, cracks or dents, the support members. Also, look for damage that could’ve been caused by the work environment – heat, cold, pressure, etc. After the inspection, oil the gears, joints, and other parts.

The user manual is one of the most important sources of information about your crane. The manufacturers add in all the safety warnings, maintenance tips as well as some basic instructions about the operation and extra features in the manual. If the manual mentions something as unadvised, do not try that operation – even if you feel it is safe and will work.

An unmaintained crane is an unsafe piece of machinery that should be left alone until verified for safety. The delays caused by this would be well worth preventing accidental damage and the losses that follow it. After all, maintaining your gantry crane is less expensive than repairing it or buying a new one.

If you’re hiring someone who has been a crane operator for more than a decade, it is advisable to give them a refresher course in operating the crane. This is because most older cranes would function well, even when overloaded or abused and were made from tougher alloys. Modern cranes cannot be rough-handled like that.

You need to make sure that the location has a rigid base to support the crane along with the load. This will prevent your jib crane from falling into a quicksand-like trap.

Calculations are a must in operating a crane properly. Also, be sure to factor in the wind, and gravitational swing in order to be prepared for everything. Compare them with your crane safety charts and only carry out the job if it is safe.

Following these steps will help keep your crane in top-notch condition for decades to come.