In the construction, gas, and oil fields, you wouldn’t be able to complete all of the work you do daily without cranes. These devices provide the necessary stability and support during a wide range of projects. But what happens if they’re not appropriately operated?

The truth is, crane accidents can quickly happen due to negligent or reckless behavior. The good news? Accidents involving these massive machines can easily be prevented as well.

Here’s a rundown on what everyone at the job site could do to improve workplace safety when operating cranes.

Crane Accidents Can Result from the Tipping of Cranes

Crane incidents involving tipping can be hazardous for both crane operators and nearby workers. 

Tipping accidents can happen if outriggers are misused due to poor ground conditions. For instance, the ground that you’re operating a crane on may feature uneven grading, excavations, voids, and depressions.

In light of the above, make sure that your outrigger pad is on a surface that is stable, level, and dry. Otherwise, you may not be able to control the position of your crane.

You can easily make sure that your ground conditions are suitable by performing an inspection of the area before beginning work there. 

Collapsing Boom

This is yet another possible crane accident that can happen if you don’t follow a crane’s weight limits. Even a little extra weight can lead to critical failure.

So, when you prepare a load, be sure that what you plan to lift will be within the weight limits. Also, make sure that you incorporate the rigging’s weight as well. This includes the weight of the hooks and chains used to secure your load.

Furthermore, be sure to have your boom regularly inspected. Ensuring crane safety in this way is essential because a warped or damaged boom may decrease your crane’s weight limits. 

The Dropping of a Load

Finally, you may drop a load when operating a crane if your rigging is subpar.

To avoid this potentially dangerous disaster, be sure to always rig your loads according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure that you use the appropriate equipment; don’t cut corners.

Also, scrutinize your hooks and chain links. Practicing crane operational safety can help to protect both human lives and property at the job site. 

How We Can Help

In addition to providing tips for preventing crane accidents, we offer top-of-the-line crane upgrade and repair services.

For instance, we can modernize your crane to make it more capable of meeting your material handling demands. Also, we can repair and reline your crane brakes as needed.

We can also complete overhead crane inspections to make sure that all of a crane’s components are functioning at their optimal levels.

Get in touch with us to learn more about how we can keep your cranes running in tip-top condition from one job to the next.

It’s no secret that cranes are an indispensable part of the construction business. But they are also massive, heavy pieces of equipment that aren’t easy to move from one place to another.

The more you understand about cranes, the more your appreciation for them will grow. That’s why it’s helpful to discuss each type to provide a clear picture of how they arrive at a construction site.

This article takes a look at crane transport. Keep reading to get the inside scoop on how crane transportation services get the job done.

Understanding Crane Systems

The first thing that’s important to understand is, most construction sites receive cranes broken down into small components. In other words, they don’t arrive as one unit.

Cranes have to be broken down and stored as separate pieces between jobs. Otherwise, the sheer size would be unmanageable.

Once a crane has arrived on-site, it can then be assembled to whatever height is required for the job.

Installation of Cranes

Installing a crane at the construction site is a complicated process. After all, cranes are huge pieces of equipment that must be carefully assembled and balanced in other to avoid accidents.

The installation process involves hydraulic and pneumatic systems that use pressure to assemble the pieces. And as each piece is locked into the next, crane operators must prepare to reach the next level. This is dangerous work.

Tower Cranes

Now let’s talk about how various types of cranes are transported to the construction site.

First is the tower crane. These are massive cranes that are standard features of cityscapes where high-rise buildings are frequently under construction.

These cranes are delivered to the site as a series of parts on large trucks, then assembled once they arrive.

Jumping Cranes

Jumping or Kangaroo cranes sit atop buildings during the construction process. They are designed to continually “jump” to the next floor as the lower floor is completed.

Crawler Cranes

This type of crane is driven to the worksite on the back of a large truck. It can then be moved over rough terrain and positioned wherever needed.

A crawler crane is capable of self-transport, yet are incredibly slow.

Roadworthy Cranes

Several cranes are considered roadworthy, and thus can be driven to the site with the help of an escort vehicle. These cranes can be transported through cities via public roads, though this process requires a bit of serious organization and takes time.

An example of this type of crane is the Hiab truck. This is essentially an on-board crane system mounted behind the cab of a truck.

Franna cranes is another example of a roadworthy crane, which can actually carry a load during transit. Believe it or not, this type of crane is also licensed for on-road travel.

A Guide to How Crane Transport works

It’s hard to imagine the construction process without cranes. Fortunately, this article removes some of the mystery around how crane transport from location to location works.

Please contact us today to request a quote.

When you run a worksite, it’s vital to keep it as safe as possible. This matter is especially the case when it comes to operating cranes. 

The United States Bureau of Labor (BOL) counted close to 300 crane fatalities in a 6-year duration. When you master hand signals, you’ll be in a great position to communicate in hectic environments. 

Here are some of the leading crane hand signals you should get to know. 

1. Make Use of the Stop Signal

Your crew is responsible for both overhead crane inspections and managing the signals. 

The stop signal is the first and most important one you and your worksite need to master. This signal works when you keep your palm down and extend your arm outward. Move your arm back and forth so that people can see it without question.  

When the crew gets the stop signal, they’ll know when to cease operation. 

2. The Hoist and Lower Signals

Managing crane and hoist safety is crucial in your workplace. This hoist direction is responsible for knowing when to raise a load toward the ceiling or sky. 

This signal involves placing your pointer finger in the air and pantomiming a circle. 

3. Use the Boom Signals

Take the time also to get to know the different boom signals. With these signals, you’ll know what to do with the boom, which is one of the most critical parts of the crane. 

If you’re going to raise the boom, the person needs to use their arm horizontally while raising their thumb to the sky. To lower the boom, do the opposite and point your thumb down. 

They can use their pointer finger in a side to side gesture to determine where the boom needs to go. Holding your thumb at your waist and holding it outward signals that you need to extend it. 

4. Emergency Stop is Critical

While the stop signal is essential, you need to master the emergency stop. This is a signal that helps to avert danger so that the operator can stop their machinery right way. 

With this sign, the crane operator extends both their arms outward, similar to the way that a baseball umpire signals “safe.”

5. Employ the Right Travel Signals

There are also a variety of travel signals that you can put to use to direct your crane. These signals vary and teach people when and how to move their crane throughout the worksite. 

This signal is crucial so that you can direct traffic in your worksite without creating damage or injuries. 

Perfect Your Crane Hand Signals

Using crane hand signals will help you keep your workplace as safe as possible. Let these tips point you toward creating a helpful work environment. 

Whenever you’d like to keep your worksite at its best, master these crane signals and use them consistently. 

Our company offers a wide variety of services that will help you with your industrial work. Take some time to contact us online or call us at (866)210-5897.

Industrial cranes are big, complex, and in the wrong hands, very dangerous. Cranes have been around for many years. They’ve proven themselves to be indisposable when it comes to building, shaping, and making things move. However, there is no mistaking that these excellent machines are also capable of causing severe property damage or bodily harm when not used correctly.

That being the case, it’s of utmost importance that your crane operator certification is up to date. The way that cranes are built and can maneuver, as well as how they are applied in the environment around them, means that the status quo is continually being updated. As a crane operator, if you fall behind on what you need to know, you would be at risk of causing harm to your fellow workers and your business.

It clear, then, that certificates should be updated, and it’s probably time for you to renew yours. This article gives insight on when certificates need to be renewed so you can always stay a step ahead!

Here’s When to Update Your Crane Worker Certification

The good thing about crane operator recertification is that your certificate will last you five years from the issue date. That said, a lot can change within five years, which makes getting recertified all the more critical.

When getting your certification, you will first be listed as an operator-in-training. In this stage, you’ll complete required training similar to what you did the first time you completed the certification. You’ll also learn plenty of new information to build upon what you already know.

Certifications in crane operator training are relatively inexpensive in comparison to the years of use you’ll get from them. In fact, on average, a certificate costs around 75 dollars, making these certifications easy to afford. However, you have to be on the ball when it comes time to move; if you wait until after the expiration date, you’ll have to pay an extra 25 dollars to be eligible for the certification.

Here for Your Crane Needs

Now that you know the importance of updating your crane operator certification, update your certificate as soon as possible. The next step is to get your crane in top condition, so it runs flawlessly every time. At Kor-Pak Corporation, we are the leaders in manufacturing crane parts for businesses like yours to thrive. We offer a vast selection of industrial items, including industrial brakes, clutches, crane wheels, hoists, rail parts, gearbox and transmission products, hydraulic clamps, and so much more, all for a price that fits your budget.

Browse through our site to view our selections or contact us whenever you’re ready to order. We look forward to helping you!

Keeping up with the global crane market can be a lot of information at once. There are many aspects to watch out for, but if you keep up with the trends and growth, you can be ahead of the curve.

We here at Kor-Pak work with all things cranes. Our modernizations and upgrades help us to see where the crane market is going. These trends in an ever-growing industry can shape your very business. 

Curious to find the lowdown on what the future holds for the crane market? Let’s explore with a crane market overview. 

The Global Crane Market Overview

The global crane market comes in with a market worth of over $42 billion in 2018. The expectations are that its growth will continue at a steady pace for the near future. Investments in construction and reconstruction projects are booming. As well, equipment reinforcement for the mining industry is growing.

While the steady rise and value of the crane market is a positive sign, it affects some more than others. Let’s dive a bit deeper into the specific areas of growth and the trends that cause them. 

Understanding Growth

As always, there are several factors that can push or stifle growth for the crane market. While the lack of skilled labor remains a growing problem in all construction industries, the new opportunities are driving the market into new territory.

India and China are looking for stronger infrastructure growth, so government contracts from those countries will push a lot of development to that area. This also pushes the construction type over other crane purposes, which we’ll dive into below. 

1. Regional Growth

Driven by India and China’s high demands, growth by region has had a significant focus on the Asia-Pacific region. Government contracts are often the biggest and many countries in that area besides the big two are still open for development. 

North America still ranks high, though, and an increase in new real estate work only helps that. 

2. Market Segmentation

Like with any market, the crane market works in parts. For this industry, it is often split by the crane’s function, such as construction, offshore, and port work. 

Due to the focus on new real estate and development, most growth has been on construction. 

Recent Trends

These growths come from two exciting trends that have shaped the what and why of the crane market. 

1. Rental Cranes

Despite much higher demand for construction, companies are not buying as many new cranes. Instead, they are focusing on a short term boost by renting cranes for their individual projects.

This new shift stifles growth in crane manufacturers but provides a new and exciting boon for rental business. 

2. More Mega Projects

Instead of a wide variety of smaller projects, trends are pushing toward a handful of massive, mega projects. Massive buildings and huge development lots have seen an upswing, making each individual contract more valuable but fewer.

Looking to the Future

The focus on rental projects will mean smaller crane market investments. This short term planning might leave opportunity for long term investments, even more so if you plan to step into the rental crane business. 

Government contracts have always been a sweet spot for construction — the details on where big countries like India and China push will be key. 

There is a lot more information to be had, and new developments happen all the time. Keep up with us at Kor-Pak, and we’ll guide you forward. For more information, contact us today! 

At any given moment, over 250,000 people are at risk of accidents related to the operation of crane and hoist systems. Because of this, construction and factory workers must do all in their power to reduce the risk of injury.

Fortunately, with ground-level crane pendant control systems, it’s easy to operate this machinery safely and efficiently. Read on to learn what a crane pendant control station is and why it’s one of the most groundbreaking technologies in all manual labor industries!

What Is a Crane Pendant Control Station?

The majority of overhead cranes are operated electrically. Like any electrical appliance, they need a person to operate their controls and ensure that they function in an intended manner.

Crane pendant systems are the control boards that construction or industrial workers use to operate and direct the movement of a crane. Specifically, they ensure that the hook (or pendant) of the crane moves appropriately and can be positioned purposefully. With these controls, you can cause the crane to automatically lift and maneuver the objects that you’re working with.

What Can Be Controlled?

Crane pendant controls are used in three primary ways:

• Directing crane motion (moving the machine itself up and down runways and around cites)
• Hoist positioning (horizontal/lateral side-to-side movement of the pendant, good for positioning the load)
• Hoist lifting motion (vertical movement of the hook to move loads up and down)

How Does the Operator Control the Crane?

There are also three main ways that an operator can control the pendant of the crane.

The first and historically most common method requires multiple people. An operator sits in a cab that is attached to the body of the crane and controls its movements. One or two coworkers will stand on the ground and use hand signals and walkie-talkies to tell the operator where to move the pendant.

This is not the most efficient method, however. A crane can also be controlled by an operator on the floor using a crane pendant system. This system is attached to the crane, which allows one person to move it and direct it appropriately without the help of other coworkers.

Some crane pendant systems are also wireless- the operator can use them to direct a crane all the way across a construction site. These controls use a radio transmitter and receiver to direct the movement of the crane. This is usually the ideal way to control a crane. It provides workers with a lot of range and easy, no-frills maneuvering.

Why Is This Important?

There are many benefits to crane pendant control stations.

First, operators can walk closer when setting and positioning loads. This allows them to easily maneuver around obstacles that are on the ground and to be more precise in where loads are placed. This is primarily a good idea when you use wireless radio-operated controls because the cord won’t become wrapped around things.

They also make your on-site work safer and more productive. You won’t run the risk of knocking into anything (or anyone) while in a cab attached to your crane. You also don’t need to worry about wires and cords snagging on large items and knocking them over.

Get Started

While maneuvering a crane is a challenge, initially, it becomes much easier over time. Crane controls are simple to understand and to ultimately master.

 Contact our experts to ask any lingering questions you may have about crane control. We also will give you a quote for the equipment that you need to make your project run as efficiently as possible.