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.

The wireless trend has transformed a range of industries, and the construction field is one of them.

If you are responsible for moving materials around job sites or warehouses, then now may be the perfect time to make the transition to wireless crane control. This technology controlled by radio is increasingly capturing the attention of companies interested in upgrading their cranes to boost their productivity.

Here’s a rundown on the top five benefits of wireless and remote control for cranes.

1. Wireless Crane Controller Can Improve Productivity

Wireless controls offer the benefit of having multi-frequency capabilities.

This is important because it allows you to wirelessly operate several cranes simultaneously and not worry about dealing with radio interference.

2. Remote Control for Cranes Offers Greater Precision

As a crane operator, sometimes you need to move closer to a crane to achieve greater precision. Rather than having to stay in the cab of the crane, you can draw closer to the crane with the help of wireless crane control. 

For instance, let’s say that you need to maneuver loads through a tight space. Or, maybe you need to set a load onto a pylon or bolt. Wireless crane control can make this possible.

3. A Wireless Crane Controller Can Increase Safety

With wired crane controls, you have to move in the crane’s direction along the floor, and your speed must match the crane’s. This boosts your chances of fall and trip accidents.

However, with a wireless controller, following the load’s path is not necessary. As a result, wireless control makes crane operation safer overall.

In addition, let’s say that you need to move farther away from your crane to remain safer at the job site. For instance, perhaps your load contains hazardous materials, or it is very hot. Wireless controls allow you to stay back while still getting the job done accurately easily. 

4. A Wireless Controller Offers Better Visibility

With wireless controls, you can easily move around your job site or the floor to get a clear view of your crane. Thus, you can load without having to rely on a spotter. 

This makes wireless controls handy during and before crane operation.

5. Remote Radio Crane Control Is More Convenient

With wireless controls, you don’t have to deal with tangled cables. This can help with preventing problems for the operator and the load.

How We Can Help with Wireless Crane Control and Your Other Crane Needs

In addition to offering wireless crane control, we provide a wide range of other crane upgrades and modernization services.

For instance, we can help you to take advantage of a rubber-tired gantry crane for stacking or grounding containers. We also offer electrical overhead traveling cranes for maintenance and manufacturing applications.

We can also inspect your cranes and repair your existing crane equipment as needed. Furthermore, we can create custom crane equipment for your unique applications.

Get in touch with us to learn more about how our crane services can help you to take your projects to the next level in the months and years ahead.

Working with industrial equipment takes a keen eye and a great deal of precision. The biggest reason for this is safety because the smallest mistake or overlooked detail can mean a serious injury. 

Cranes have a very particular method of testing due to their broad reach over a construction site. Regular maintenance and inspections keep your cranes safe and secure. To do this well, you need to consider several things. 

Today we’ll break down five methods to consider when crafting a proper crane inspection checklist. Let’s dig in. 

Making Safety Count With a Proper Crane Inspection Checklist

The basics of any industrial equipment inspection come from the standards put out by OSHA. Going over these items and standards will give you the right specifics but not always the best method.

These five safety tips below will help you break down the right level of support your crane inspections should have. 

1. Making Frequent and Periodic Inspections

There are three types of inspections, all based on their frequency. 

The first type of inspection is the initial inspection. This inspection happens when the machine is brand new and helps to check for factory defects, damage in transport, or poor assembly. 

The second type is the frequent inspection. These often happen every day, week, or month depending on how much use the crane gets. These cover all the operational basics and checking on wear and tear. 

The last type is the periodic inspection. These happen from year to year or per business quarter. They involve a substantial and thorough rundown of every item on the checklist. These are even more useful if a crane has not been in use for a few months.

2. Noting and Adjusting Crane Operating Areas

Your crane has a great deal of reach that covers a wide operating area. Anyone can get hurt if not careful in these areas. 

To keep safety up, make sure that the noted safety areas around the crane are still evident. Check the signs and markings that note the area, make sure all of them remain easy to see. 

3. Checking Even the Smallest of Pieces

Never underestimate the danger of a loose bolt or a damaged cable. When going through any crane inspection, keep an eye out for damage on any part of the crane. There will be more out of the way areas that can get forgotten and may require replacing when you least expect it. 

4. Inspecting With Test Runs

Often to ensure that the crane is still operating at peak efficiency, you will need to run it through test runs. Have a crane operator perform some common crane tasks with a careful eye on anything that reacts inadequately or sluggishly. These can be signs of degeneration that comes with time. 

5. Using the Latest Diagnostics Test Software

There are several inspection apps and software that can help you ensure your inspections are thorough and in-line with OSHA regulations. These apps can range from a checklist reminder to a diagnostics test on any software your cranes may run. 

Upkeeping Safety With Quality Crane Inspections and Repairs

Keeping these five tips in mind, you can build a proper crane inspection checklist. Be vigilant and thorough, and you can keep both your workers and equipment healthy and happy. 

To keep your cranes in the best shape, you will need replacement parts as time goes on. We here at Kor-Pak excel at providing the best crane parts and service. Contact us today for more information. 

To ensure you can complete a task right, and stay under budget, learn the many uses and varieties of construction equipment. One of the biggest and most important varieties are cranes.

There are dozens of different types of crane functions. These functions depend on the way the crane is built as well as the crane’s intended purpose.

To get a better grip on what you need from a crane, let’s look at seven of the primary crane functions and the cranes that provide them. 

1. Crawler Crane

The crawler crane switches out the standard wheels of the other varieties for sturdy tracks. This is to navigate soft and uneven terrain, which is common in many dig sites.

To help increase its adaptive style, some crawler cranes even include a telescopic boom. These help to change the height and angle of the pulley system.

2. Floating Crane

Floating cranes are additions to boats, either built-in or linked next to. This function helps to build and repair oil rigs as well as the occasional ship stranded at sea.

The floating crane is a highly specialized crane. It will often need an extra set of skills and demands to deal with the boat setup. 

3. Rough Terrain Crane

For the more solid terrain, the rough terrain crane has four massive, rubber tires and four-wheel drive. This allows it to move over rocks and debris to get where it needs to. Due to the uneven ground, it often has the most adjustable crane system. 

4. Truck-Mounted Crane

Truck-mounted cranes have the critical advantage of being able to travel on highways and other paved road locations. 

The crane mounts into a bed of a small truck. The truck comes with counterweights and outriggers to help keep a strong stabilization while the crane operates.

5. Bridge Crane

Bridge cranes are one of the fixed cranes. Its name comes from its shape, where it has two massive steel beams supported by structures on either end. 

The crane hoist is in the middle and slides along the beams to reach anything beneath it. This is a common crane for industrial stations with fixed places in the production line. 

6. Bulk-Handling Crane

Instead of changes to the crane set up and support structure, bulk-handling cranes have a big difference at the end of the pulley system. 

Bulk-handling cranes have a large and unique grabbing mechanism that opens wide to cover a large amount of material and clamps shut to move it elsewhere.  

7. Tower Crane

The common crane of the skyscrapers, tower cranes, have an incredible advantage of height. It also provides some power in the lifting department, using an entire hydraulic system to pull items up along its vertical post using its horizontal crane arm.

Due to the height of tower cranes, construction crews build them alongside the buildings they serve. This can mean extra hours of construction and maintenance. 

Getting the Most out of Crane Functions

These seven crane functions will cover most of the essential encounters you may have to deal with on a construction site. 

Once you have the core of what you need out of a crane, it will make buying parts and rentals easier. Contact us today for information about crane parts and services.

Approximately 3 million workers were injured or suffered from an illness in the construction industry in 2018. This showcases the importance of following safety procedures.  

Below we’ll review some crane safety tips to help reduce the number of injured employees at worksites. 

1. Inspect the Crane

Before operating a crane, it needs a thorough inspection. Review your safety checklist/card to make sure all safety procedures are followed.

Inspect the components of the crane and cables for any damage (e.g., cracks, worn down parts). If there is damage, you’ll need to get the crane repaired before you can operate it. 

Make sure it’s the right crane for the job. Each type of crane can hold a different amount of weight.

Check the load weight capacity for your lift to make sure it can handle whatever you’re lifting. If you don’t, the crane could tip if you try to pick up too much weight.

Find out when the last time your crane was inspected. If the annual inspection is overdue, don’t operate the crane until it has been done.

2. Familiarize Yourself With the Controls

Once you’ve been adequately trained and certified, it’s essential to know what you’re working with.

After you’ve inspected the crane, you’ll need to test it to make sure all the controls are working. This is especially important if it’s your first time operating a particular crane.

Learn where all the controls are as not every crane keeps the controls in the same location. You should test the controls every day to ensure everything is in working order.

3. Examine the Worksite

Ensure all workers know when and where the crane will be operated. Before you begin working, do a scan of the area to make sure no one is in the area.

Furthermore, you should check the weather conditions. How you operate the crane, or if you can use the crane, will be determined by the weather (e.g., rain, high winds).

Next, you’ll want to inspect the ground. Make sure whatever surface you’re working on can handle the weight of the crane.

Check the soil to make sure your crane won’t sink. If you’re on another surface material (e.g., concrete or asphalt), make sure it won’t break under the weight. Don’t just check the weight of the crane, learn if the surface can handle the force of the outriggers.

Finally, you’ll want to make sure there are no obstructions in the air (e.g., cables/wires). You don’t want anything attaching to the load while you’re working.

4. Don’t Rush

Make sure there is enough time to inspect the equipment, the worksite, and get the job done. Moreover, when operating the crane, don’t make quick movements. You could end up dropping the load all over the place.

Rushing or flying objects can increase the chance of someone getting injured.

5. Be Alert

Always pay attention to the surrounding area and know where everyone is. Be in radio contact with everyone. If you can’t get in contact with people, try using an air horn or hand signals to alert others in the area.

Check with OSHA’s guidelines on how to communicate.

Furthermore, remove all distractions while you work. At no point should you eat or drink (especially alcohol), talk on the phone, smoke, or be under the influence of drugs.

Crane Safety

Now that you know more about crane safety, it’s time to use these tips the next time you work. Spend ample time making sure everything is working correctly. This will create a safer environment that will help keep your workers safe and happy. 

Review our services if your cranes require repairs.

The proper and safe operation of cranes mainly falls to the operator. This means that both operators and managers must understand crane load charts.

Foremen, along with other managers, need to not only understand the charts but be able to use them to plan the lift and make sure the loads are positioned in a way where the equipment can lift the load safely and move it where it should go.

One example of this is if you have a truck full of pipe located too far from the crane being used. If this is the case, it may not be safe to lift the pipe from the truck and place it in or next to the trench.

In addition to safety, there are several other reasons you need to know how to read and use the crane load chart.

Understanding the Crane Load Chart is Mandated by OSHA  

According to the OSHA Crane Standard – subpart N mandates that all crane operators be certified. To pass the certification, operators must demonstrate their ability to use modern load charts. This is necessary for each crane type the operator is using.

Load Charts Ensure Proper Use and Safe Operation

Crane load charts are unique from the backhoe and excavator load charts. While the basic concepts are similar, there are some essential differences.

For example, the closer a crane is located to the load, and the higher the boom angle is, the more lifting capacity the crane has. This rule isn’t always applicable to excavators.

Before making a lift safely, the operator needs to know the load’s weight and how far the load is from the boom’s turntable. This is called the load radius. If the load is being lifted from a point that is higher than ground level, knowing this height is also necessary.

The use of a crane load chart makes this easier. With this, an operator can figure out the angle the boom needs to be at to make sure they are positioned directly over the load. Before lifting the load, operators must check the boom angle indicator, which provides the boom angle from horizontal.

Avoid Injuries and Liabilities

Injuries and liabilities are a serious issue on any construction site. This is exacerbated when cranes are used.

Understanding how to safely use a crane load charge reduces the possibility of these issues. If operators are unclear on the purpose of these charts or the purpose they serve, serious problems may arise.

The Importance of Crane Load Charts

A crane load chart is a vital tool that managers and operators need to understand fully. With this knowledge, they can safely operate any crane while ensuring the safety of others on the worksite.

To learn more about crane use and operation, along with crane repairs and maintenance, contact us. We provide an array of information, resources, and parts for all types of heavy equipment and can answer questions related to care and operation.

Are you looking to incorporate a new gantry crane into your construction portfolio? It’s a great idea, but you’ll want to know as much as you can about these vehicles, ahead of time. Specifically, you’ll want to know about gantry crane wheels, from what they do to what they’re made out of, and everything in between.

So join us today as we break down this crucial component in the gantry crane system.

What Are Gantry Crane Wheels?

In a gantry crane, the wheel serves a critical role: to withstand its weight while running on the track as smoothly as possible. This, in turn, allows the gantry crane to operate as it should, lifting loads and carrying them from one end of the beam to the other. Throughout all of this, crane wheels are under a lot of stress and should be made strong and durable.

Gantry or bridge crane wheels are typically either single or double rim. Single rim flanged track wheels are common, mainly used in gantry cranes under 5 tonnes. You’ll also see them on double beam bridge gantry cranes.

A double rim is chiefly found on heavier gantry cranes, double beam bridge gantry cranes, and mechanisms for crane operation. They’re also more than adequate for casting crane operation mechanisms and electric flat cars, as well as many others.

Non-flanged track wheels are also available.

What Are They Made Of?

Because crane wheels are put under so much stress, they must be made out of hardy materials for longevity. The hardness of the steel you use to make your wheel influences its “toughness.”

These wheels are made from raw materials and alloys. These may also include low-or-medium-carbon steel. With medium carbon steel, we find a much wider availability of the material and a subsequent drop in cost. As a result, this is easily the most commonly used raw material in this field.

Why You Need One

“So,” you’re wondering, “It’s a crane that uses wheels to lift and move things. What are the benefits for my construction business?” Well, as luck would have it, there are more than a few great benefits:

• 100% mobility
• Rapid assembly
• Versatility
• Easy customization

A gantry crane is a versatile option, first and foremost, because it can be used both indoors and outdoors. Use steel or aluminum. Adjust the height, span, or tread.

Quick, modular assembly means a gantry crane can roll up to where it needs to be used and be operating within seconds. Single leg gantries even exist for jobs where space is an issue problem, lifting using wall-mounted I-beams and A-frame leg. 

Time To Get Wheel, With A Gantry Crane

The benefits of a gantry crane boil down to two things: versatility and maneuverability. It’s a powerhouse of lifting capability, designed to be put to use in diverse and demanding situations. And gantry crane wheels have a lot to do with that.

Are you looking for more great content, straight from the construction site? Check out some of our other blogs, today, or get in touch to find out more about our service portfolio.