Cranes are machines with hoists and chains. It helps in lifting and lowering materials. Since they do heavy work, they also need repair from time to time.
Do you want to know what the common crane repairs are? Read this article and find out the seven common repairs you should know and get ready for.
1. Chain Links
Using the chains many times can make it weak. Plus, the hours of lifting massive loads and even the heat can damage it. Chains can also become crushed, which can make them difficult to spot.
Chains are “case hardened”. It means that the outer coating of the material is hard while the inner is softer. It’s vital to check your chains daily in case of undetected damage.
In searching for them, you might want to look for:
- Inner links
- Bent or Broken Links
- Chemical Damage or Corrosion
- Stretch
Damaged chain links can be a huge safety issue and affect your crane and hoist structure. If you notice any broken link, call a crane repair service immediately.
2. Bent Hooks
Hooks aim to carry and hold heavy loads. But, one reason hooks bend or stretch is not balancing the load right. Having a crooked hook can also cause it to break in the future.
To prevent the early deterioration of hooks, you should not exceed the workload limit. Make sure that you match the size and workload of your chain. Also, proper attachment of the hook to the load can help.
Bent or damaged hooks need discarding. Hook that increased by 5% of its original size is usually discarded. Also, a broken safety latch needs replacing as well.
In maintaining the hooks, always check for any deformities in its opening. Cracks, nicks, and gouges need grinding, following the contour of the hook to repair it.
3. Wire Ropes
The most common damage to an overhead crane is wire degradation. Some of the few problems that can affect the ropes are:
- Drying
- Corrosion
- Abrasion
- Severe wear
Many factors can cause damage to wire ropes. These factors can determine its longevity. Some of these factors are:
- Stresses
- Loading conditions
- Shock load
- Sling design
- Materials handled
- Environmental conditions (heat or chemical exposure)
- History of usage
For crane preventative maintenance, you should be consistent in lubricating your ropes. It can reduce friction on individual wires. Plus, it can also protect your wires from corrosion.
4. Brakes and Clutch
In cars, the brakes and the clutch is the part that needs regular checking before every drive. A damaged brake or clutch system can make your crane unsafe. Plus, you might have difficulty controlling it.
If you feel anything wrong with the brakes of your crane, you should get them relined. It can extend the crane’s lifespan and improve its performance.
The things you should look out for in your brakes and clutch system as well are:
- Squeaking or screeching sounds
- Rust
- Smoothness of movement
Finding a crane repair specialist can help you figure out the cause of the brake failure and how to repair it. You might face other brake issues like replacing coils and friction discs.
5. Alignment
Crane needs to have the correct alignment and skewing on the runway. The reason for doing it is to prevent stress and damage to the entire crane system. If not solved immediately, these can result in:
- Accidents
- Crane derailment
- Equipment downtime
- Productivity loss
- Costly repairs and replacement of parts
If you don’t align your crane right, it can also cause breakage to the wheels, wheel bearings, and flanges. It can also cause wear to other equipment and motor drives. Some of the signs that your crane is not aligned are:
- Loud scraping noise
- Broken or cracked wheel flanges
- Abnormal wear on the wheels, bearings, and rails
- Extra power to move the crane
- Wheels that float and crash down
It’s vital to know if your system complies with the allowable tolerances for your runway system design. The Crane Manufacturers Association of America (CMAA) is the one who mandates and implements this.
6. End Truck Wheels
These crane components need constant maintenance, replacement, or change. It’s natural for wheels to wear down and deteriorate in regular use. The wrong alignment of the crane can cause breakage to the wheels.
There are methods to increase the hardness of the wheel. Some choose wheels that have more carbon in them.
You can also do heat-treating. It can boost the lifespan and load capacity of your wheels.
7. Other Small Parts
Some of the things that you should look out for in a crane that might need repairs are the small parts. These might include bolts and rivets. They can be small, but they are vital in ensuring your crane’s efficiency.
Check whether there are any cracked or loose parts in your cranes. Also, cranes are prone to rust because they are metal. Rust might take time to affect your crane, but it might cause it to weaken over time.
Seven Common Crane Repairs
Like all machines, cranes need proper maintenance and care. Not paying attention to crane maintenance can affect the performance of the crane. It can cause production delays and even compromise safety.
Remember to check your crane system for any damage and wear. Also, it’s best to do a maintenance check before using the crane to ensure safety.
You should always take a look at your crane parts. See if there are any signs that you need to take action immediately.
Here in Shannahan, we offer crane repairs and other industrial equipment maintenance. We are the leading manufacturer of overhead handling material in the Midwest. We also deal in designing and distributing these products.
Are you looking for crane repair options? What are you waiting for? Contact us now, and get the top-rated crane service in St. Louis, MO!