Bridge cranes have long been used to lift heavy loads around a workshop or warehouse and take heavy loads off the human race. Without them, heavy items would remain in their place and not be moved around with such ease.
However, like every piece of machinery, proper care and maintenance are required to keep it in its best working condition and not become a hazard in the workplace.
You might be wondering how often does a bridge crane need to be maintained? Read on below for how often you should service and how you should care for this fine piece of machinery!
Benefits of a Maintenance Program
At the most basic of levels, a maintenance program consists of daily inspections, periodic inspections, and preventative maintenance. The object of having such a program is to comply with regulations, reduce failures, reduce downtime and ultimately help the business save time and money.
Such a maintenance program isn’t an expense but rather a long-term investment that you won’t reap the benefits of immediately but rather ensure that the future of the business is in safe hands. When it comes to bridge cranes there are several benefits of a basic maintenance program:
- Minimizes unplanned downtime
- Can assess whether your cranes are being operated correctly
- Laws and regulations are followed
- Improves performance and reliability of your cranes
- Saves on expensive repair bills
- Helps address safety issues before they become a real concern
- Improves business revenue
Bridge Crane Daily Checklist
Maintaining your bridge crane starts first thing every morning. A proper checklist should be drawn up and checked every day by the crane operator or workshop foreman before use.
A daily check will ensure that problems are detected at the earliest stage possible. Most times, failures in machinery start small and work their way to become progressively worst until complete failure occurs. 90 percent of these failures could therefore have been avoided if a daily check had taken place.
The crane operator needs to follow a safety regime checklist and sign it every day once the suggested checks are done. It is equally important for them to be aware that the crane should be stopped immediately if any malfunction, unusual noises, and unusual movements are detected.
The crane operator should start the day with a preliminary check around the crane to identify if there are any potential hazards, once that is done the operator should check the following and note any differences from the day before:
- With the crane turned off checked that all buttons are operating smoothly and not sticking open or closed.
- Check the crane warning device is operational
- Ensure the hoist rises when the up button is pushed
- Ensure the hoist goes down when the down button is pushed
- Check any other basic controls
- Check all hooks for wear
- Check the safety latches are in place and working properly
- Make sure the hook rotates freely without any grinding
- Check for any cracks in the components
- Make sure no wire has kinks, nicks, or corrosion
Checking these few items will only take about 5 minutes but could potentially save the operator and other workers from serious injury.
Periodic Inspections
Apart from your daily checks, you can also enlist a periodic inspection on your bridge cranes. A daily inspection is more of a run-through to check if everything is working the way it should be, the periodic inspection is a detailed inspection done every four months or so.
The things you can check on the periodic inspection are listed below, or you can employ an expert to do it for you if you are not sure.
- Check the crane structural components for deformities, corrosion, and unsecured members.
- Check each connection point for loose or broken bolts and rivets.
- Check for the proper function of the electric control brakes and excessive wear of the brake linings.
- Re-calibrate indicators and gauges if necessary.
- Check for excessive wear of chain sprockets and excessive chain stretch.
- Check for any damaged wiring and loose wiring connections.
- Check trolley and runway rails for gaps and misalignment.
Once again, going through this checklist is vital for the continued safe operation of your bridge crane and will save you money in the long run by sorting out a small issue before it turns into a big problem.
Periodic Maintenance to Extend Your Bridge Cranes Lifespan
Doing all these daily and quarterly checks and inspections is a good way to extend the crane’s lifespan but what else can be done to extend its lifespan? Lubricating and changing oil is usually the way crane operators go about this so changing the oil regularly and lubricating certain components will extend its lifespan.
- Regularly sweep the crane to remove any dust and particles that can affect the operating systems
- Check the oil contents of all parts weekly
- Add oil weekly if necessary
- Change the oil as prescribed by the manufacturer
Spare Parts in Inventory
Many of your operations will be time-sensitive. If this is the case and you are worried about unwanted downtime, it would be a good idea to keep a few parts on hand that can be swapped over quickly.
Bridge crane parts can be difficult to source and there might be a long delay from when an order is sent. The parts you should mostly keep on hand are critical and wearing parts such as motors, transmissions, and inverters.
Create a Safe Working Environment
Let’s face it, an unmaintained, failing bridge crane poses a very real danger for every employee inside a warehouse or factory. The only way to abide by rules and regulations is to follow a well-thought-out preventative maintenance program.
Not only will your employees well beings be taken care of but your company will go from strength to strength and land up making buckets loads of money.
Are you looking for a business to handle all your bridge crane maintenance and provide a safe working environment? Head on over to our page and get your free quote on what we can do for your business today!