Has your crane been acting unusual? That’s most likely a sign that it’s time for crane repairs.
If your crane is vital to everyday operations, you’ll need to recognize the signs early to make sure everything keeps running smoothly.
OSHA sets the standards for crane safety, and a crane that isn’t working properly is a hazard to employees and clients.
Every business should have strict safety standards and a checklist for inspecting crane and hoist systems.
But even if you’ve been in the business for years, it’s easy for little things to slip through the cracks and cause safety hazards. And a damaged crane isn’t always easy to spot.
To make your life easier, we’ve compiled 5 of the most common signs your crane needs repairs. Keep an eye out for them!
1. Corrosion or Rusted Parts
If you’re working outdoors (particularly in humid or rainy climates) keep an eye out for corrosion. Rust is the most common type of damage caused by corrosion, and it can be detrimental to your equipment.
Rusted parts can often go unnoticed because rusting occurs over longer periods of time. It’s important to keep an eye out for, however, because once parts are rusted they can easily break.
2. Abrasion
Like corrosion, abrasion is dangerous because it occurs over a long period of time and can really sneak up on your equipment.
If you’re not familiar with the term, abrasion occurs when parts scrape away at each other after years of movement.
To avoid breakages, keep a close eye on all moving parts of your cranes.
3. Broken Chains
Years of lifting heavy loads can take a toll on your equipment, especially the chain links. Broken or worn out chains are a serious safety hazard and can compromise your whole crane system.
If you see a worn out or broken chain, stop work immediately and have the chain repaired.
4. Broken or Loose Parts
This may seem obvious, but broken or loose parts should be a sign you need crane repairs immediately.
To prevent damages, make sure you’re thoroughly inspecting your cranes often. It’s easy to notice damages to large parts of cranes, but it’s the smaller parts that often go unnoticed
Loose parts can also sneak up on you. It might be obvious when something is broken, but a loose part could go unnoticed until it slips out.
Make sure you are inspecting and tightening all parts of your machines as often as possible.
5. Worn-out Pads
You probably know that your cranes have multiple pads to absorb shock from movement. While these parts help prevent wear and tear on your machines, they themselves can wear out over time. To prevent more serious damage, keep an eye on the pads of your crane and replace before they get too worn out.
Prevent Crane Repairs Before They’re Necessary
The best way to prevent dropped loads, expensive damage or injury to your workers is to be proactive and catch these issues early. Make sure your employees are up to date on safety standards and that they report every issue, no matter how small.
Are you in need of crane repairs or an upgrade all together? Check out our crane services here or contact us for more information on how we can help.