There are many things that can go wrong with an overhead crane system. According to the experts at Integrity Crane and Hoist, everything from damaged wire to electrical system issues can put the safety of your crews in jeopardy. We recently sat down with the team to discuss the most common overhead crane repairs that should never be overlooked.
Q: What’s the most common issue with an overhead crane system?
Integrity Crane and Hoist: Wear and tear on the wire rope. This is one of the most delicate components of any crane/rigging system, and excessive wear is exceedingly common. In addition to completing a daily inspection, crane operators should ensure that their wire ropes are properly lubricated.
Q: How can a crane operator avoid alignment problems?
Integrity Crane and Hoist: All machines eventually go out of alignment. However, significant alignment problems can cause crane derailment or failure. This can result in expensive overhead crane repair costs. While you still must perform routine maintenance, you can circumvent premature alignment failure by paying attention to changes, such as unusually loud noises or additional power consumption, that might indicate an issue.
Q: How can I identify electrical system issues?
Integrity Crane and Hoist: There are a few components of your electrical system that you can expect to fail at some point. The fuses and buttons are two examples. Unfortunately, any issue with the electrical service to your cranes can be a huge safety hazard.
Q: How does premature wear affect end truck wheels?
Integrity Crane and Hoist: End truck wheels take the most abuse out of just about any moving part on an overhead crane system. These are made up of bearings and other interconnected pieces, and they are subject to significant wear and tear. Something you can do to reduce downtime here is to upgrade your wheel materials to better accommodate your load capacities and working environment.
Q: What are the potential consequences of damaged hooks?
Integrity Crane and Hoist: All overhead crane repairs are necessary, but failure to replace damaged hooks quickly can result in a significant accident caused by rigging failure. Your crane’s hooks are designed to hold a specific load and in a certain direction. If these are damaged or bent, a load can drop, and it won’t stop because people are below.
Crane operators and manufacturing managers must pay careful attention to their overhead crane and rigging systems. Failure to complete necessary overhead crane repairs can result in significant injuries, downtime, and expenses.
Integrity Crane and Hoist is located in Columbia, Tennessee, and offers a variety of repair, maintenance, and preventative services. For more information, visit our website.
