If you use a crane or a truck with a crane to conduct your day-to-day business operations, you know how important the crane is to the function of your work. The last thing you need is a crane that suddenly stops working or needs major crane repair. One of the best things you can do to guard against unexpected crane repair bills and keep your crane operational as long as possible is to make sure your crane is regularly maintained by someone on your staff or by a crane repair professional.
Here are some of the things you will need to check during crane maintenance:
- Wire Rope: Examine the wire rope that does your important lifting. Regularly lubricate it to keep it in good working order. If the rope is operated without lubrication, replace it. Replace the rope on a regular schedule.
- Crane Structure: Look at the entire crane structure. You are looking for any cracks or defects. Make sure all the mechanical parts are working and moving as they should. Check to make sure bolts and rivets haven’t come loose during operation.
- Hydraulics: Make sure the fluid levels are correct. Check for leaks in the system, including hoses, pumps and motors. Check the air system for leaks or cleaning needs.
- Control Mechanisms: Make sure brakes and levers are working as they should. Make sure any indicator lights are working as they should. There should be more information about this in the manufacturer’s manual that came with your crane.
If you don’t feel confident in performing maintenance on your crane, find a professional you can trust to do it for you. Remember that it will save you money and reduce the crane repair bills you have in the future.