Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) reports falling equipment or objects caused an average of 44 crane-related deaths per year in the U.S. 3/5 of these deaths. 

When was the last time your crane was inspected and maintained?

OSHA mandates regular crane inspections by qualified individuals. However, routine inspection and crane repair services aren’t just a safety concern. A major breakdown at the wrong time can affect your construction schedule. 

Worse, it could cost you far more than the cost of a small scheduled fix. Avoid inspection and regular minor repairs at your own risk.

Read on to learn more.

Regular Maintenance to Avoid Accidents

Crane manufacturers and OSHA recommend inspections based on time in use. 

OSHA and ANSI required crane inspections, performed daily and monthly, plus periodic inspections, performed monthly or annually are typical. However, most crane users opt for the absolute minimum scheduled crane inspections.

For example, instead of frequent inspection, they opt for quarterly. Where periodic inspections are suggested, an operator might haphazardly choose a cursory annual look. 

The Crane Manufacturers Association of America (CMAA) service classification, the use environment, and the duty cycle of a crane determine how frequently a crane needs maintenance. The duty cycle refers to lift frequency, the carry distance for loads, and the percentage of the crane’s capacity used.

The most efficient way to keep track of this information is online. A small transponder monitors and records this information for automatic crane repair services reminders and inspection alerts.

Crane Repair Services to Think About

Taking a crane out of service for an extended period is an expensive proposition. Here are five typical maintenance chores that can have dire results if skipped.

1.  Wire Rope Flaws

Birdcaging, corrosion, or internal core wear are all signs of an overdue inspection or crane repair services. Inspect the wire rope before every use. Regular lubrication reduces wear.

2. Alignment Flaws and Excess Wheel Wear

A crane skewing as it travels down the runway causes stress and damage to the entire crane system. This wears runway beams and wheels and destroys the working lifespan prematurely.

3. End Truck Wheel Wear

Through the course of a crane’s life, the wheels wear down due to normal use. Regular replacement prevents failure.

4. Hook Damage

Hooks are made with specific loads in mind. Incorrect loads or overloads place wear on parts not designed for carrying the stress. 

5. Electrical Wear and Tear

Contact interruptions between conductor bars and the collector or radio interference in the push-button pendant or radio controls signal the need for repair. Any breaks, no matter how intermittent, deserve a look. 

All of these conditions can be minor, but if ignored, can cause significant failures.

Maintenance Programs Save Money and Lives

Complete inspection records and frequent monitoring of small problems keep significant repairs and downtime at bay. They also happen to be required by law. 

Choose crane repair services that offer common-sense inspection and maintenance with high-quality, long-lasting parts. Want to compare replacement parts for your overhead crane?  Contact our experts today!

An overhead crane hoist is a type of heavy equipment that’s used to lift and transfer heavy loads. They’re used in most industries, from agriculture and shipbuilding to mining and rail. 

A hoist and crane can cost anywhere from a few thousand dollars to a few hundred thousand dollars. Either price can be a huge business investment.

That’s why it’s crucial to know what to look for as you’re shopping around. Keep reading to learn how to calculate the ordering specs you need.

Lift Capacity

Every hoist will come with a capacity limit, which is the maximum amount of weight the hoist can handle.

To calculate the lift capacity you need, take a look at your business stats. How much does a typical load weigh at your company?

You should choose a hoist that will lift at 50% capacity. In other words, the hoist capacity should be twice the weight of the average load. This will ensure the safety and longevity of the hoist.

Lift Distance

The lift distance is the space between the hoist and the lowest area it needs to reach. The distance will determine how much vertical space the hoist can use.

To calculate this, measure the distance between the support beam and the floor. Then, subtract the height of the crane bridge. 

The lift distance will help the crane manufacturer decide what size you need.

Lift Speed

The lift speed is how fast the hoist will be able to pull loads up and release them down. Just like with vehicles or other heavy equipment, hoist motors are measured in horsepower. A horsepower is a measurement of pulling power, distance, and time. 

The higher the horsepower a motor has, the more expensive it will be. So, when calculating the lift speed, you need to consider the needs of your business.

If your operation needs to move heavy materials quickly, you will probably need a large motor. But if you infrequently move light materials, you could get by with a smaller motor.

Power Supply/Voltage

Hoists need electricity to pull loads. They can come in voltages of 115V, 230V, or 460V.

When shopping around for a hoist, it’s essential to know what your current electrical system can handle. You may need to call an electrician or refer to the building plans.

Choosing a crane system that is compatible with the electrical system you already have can save you a lot of money.

Crane Span

If you are installing the overhead crane at an indoor facility, you have to make sure it will fit. The span of a crane is a measurement of the distance between the runways.

If you’re ordering a new crane, measure the distance between the support beams where you plan to install the crane. 

Choose Kor-Pak for Your Hoist and Crane Needs

Did you know that an overhead crane can last for up to 80 years? So, you might not need a new crane after all. An upgrade or a modernization might be all you need to make your operation run smoother.

For more information about our hoist and crane products, contact us today.

Over 104 million workdays are lost each year due to job-related injuries. Of those, about 26% were because of contact with objects or equipment. That’s a lot of missed workdays!

One of the best ways to prevent work-related injuries is by being safe and protected while you’re on the job. Knowing the ins and outs of the equipment you’re using can keep you safe and even save your life in some cases.

Crane chain hoists can be extremely dangerous if not operated properly. Keep reading to find out some of the best tips for staying safe while doing crane maintenance!

Crane Chain Safety 101

Crane chain hoist safety is manageable if you know what you’re doing. This means taking the time to learn everything about it before you start operating it. Here are some of the best things you can do.

1. Understand How It Operates

If you want to know how to fix or maintain any equipment, you need to know how every part functions. How can you correct or prevent something if you don’t know how it works? How can you inspect it if you don’t know all of the components that make it perform?

The most prevalent types of hoists found on a crane are hand chains, lever ratchets, and differentials. All of these use some kind of heavy-duty chain with a hook that allows easy movement of sizable objects. Make sure you service this regularly if you want to minimize the chance of any problems.

2. Clean and Lubricate the Chain

Weather can be a real problem if your crane chain hoist is located outside where it is vulnerable to things like rain and snow. When a metal chain is exposed to moisture, it can cause it to rust and deteriorate.

The more this happens, the more likely hood the chain will break. To avoid comprising the integrity of the chain, make sure to clean it consistently. To do this, you must take apart each piece to oil them.

3. Inspect and Look For Deterioration

Inspecting your equipment isn’t a recommendation. It’s an OSHA requirement. However, performing these regular inspections is critical in keeping your equipment running properly and keeping you and your employees safe.

Part of doing these inspections means looking for any signs of weakness or deterioration. If the chains or any part of the crane have been compromised, replace it immediately. Anytime you make any changes or do an inspection, always run tests before allowing it to be used again.

Better to Be Safe Than Sorry!

Taking proper care of your crane chain hoists is extremely important. Not only does it keep the crane running efficiently, but it also keeps you and your employees safe from injury and even death.

But crane chain hoists are not the only equipment you use in manufacturing. For all of your manufacturing parts needs, head to our website now!

When you have any crane in operation, you need to make sure that all parts are operating at their full capacity.

That includes the crane wheels. If your crane wheels show signs of flange wear or breakage, they need to be replaced. How can you tell what crane wheels are the best to buy?

Read on to find out.

1. Manufacturing Specs

The first place to start is with your crane’s manufacturer. They will have specs available as to what you need to replace the wheels. For example, Demag Cranes have a wheel range for their cranes.

Buying crane wheels outside of the specs could result in damage to the crane, or worse, accidents or injuries.

2. Operating Conditions

Your crane wheels not only need to meet the specs of the manufacturer, but they also need to meet the load and operating conditions of your business.

You want to make sure that the crane wheels will be able to withstand the load. If the wheels are overloaded, you’ll have to replace them much faster.

3. Order Fulfillment

For many crane wheel orders, there are unique customizations. There are also instances where you need crane wheel replacements in a hurry.

You want to make sure that the order can be fulfilled quickly. We have a large inventory and can handle these circumstances.

Prevent Crane Wheel Damage

When you do order and replace your crane wheels, you want to make sure that you maintain them and use them properly to extend the life of the wheels and minimize damage to your crane. 

Much like you’d rotate or replace the wheels of your car in pairs, the same principle applies to crane wheels. When you replace your crane wheels, you should replace them in pairs. That’s the case even if only one wheel has damage and needs to be replaced.

That can be due to a misaligned crane wheel or load imbalance Replacing two wheels at the same time will ensure that the crane wheels will be aligned properly. That will extend the life of the wheels and minimize other damage to your crane.

If you’re replacing your crane wheels due to cracked wheel flanges, it could be a sign of a misalignment issue. You want to make sure that your crane is inspected as you replace the crane wheels. This will prevent you from having to replace the wheels a short time later.

How to Pick the Best Crane Wheels

Your business largely depends on cranes operating at full capacity. Every part has to be in top shape to withstand the loads and working conditions.

When your crane wheels need to be replaced, it’s important to remember that your wheels should be following your manufacturer specs and be able to withstand the loads and conditions that you’ll put them under.

Are you ready to order crane wheels? Start by contacting us today to find out more about crane wheels.

Because of stiff competition in the market and rapid changes in technology, many companies across different industries have had to boost their production speeds through the use of overhead cranes, popularly known as bridge cranes. Bridge cranes assist in the transport of loads from one place to another over short distances. If you own a bridge crane, then you are familiar with the importance of equipping your machine with state of the art crane runway products that work to make your crane runway system a lot more efficient.

Here are three of the best crane runway products that you might need to add on to your machine if you want to bolster your business operations.

Crane Rails

Crane rails rank highly among the top crane runway products to add to your machine and are essential for loading heavy loads on to a railroad, especially where freight handling is involved. They are mainly used in shipyards, ports, and warehouses.

Crane rails are made of hardened steel, and the steel determines how the amount in weight the machine is capable of bearing. They vary across different types in diverse sizes and strengths such as special crane rails or the ordinary crane rails. Cranes that function from the ground use ordinary crane rails while overhead cranes tend to use special crane rails.

Crane Runway Beam

Crane runway beams are an integral part of any bridge crane. The crane runway beam component of a bridge crane may be either an I-section or a rolled I-section which is essential for the transport of horizontal loads. However, they can be used in suspended cranes functioning without a rail.

Crane rails are placed above the runway beams with the rail wheels moving right above the beams. The weight of the load that crane runway beams can bear is determined by various factors such as the weight of the hoist load, the weight of the crane, and the acceleration of the crane bridge. Due to its delicate functions and necessity, it is imperative that you look out for the best runway beams when conducting your crane runway search.

Crane Wheels

Bridge crane wheels are probably the most critical components of all runway products for cranes. They are made to carry hefty loads and to perform this function; the crane wheels are designed and manufactured from various steel alloys. Carbon and steel alloys are popular because the raw materials are available and cost friendly.

Various crane wheels are depending on the function required such as the non-flange crane wheels, the double flange crane wheels, and the single flange crane wheels. These wheels vary in durability depending on the hardness of the alloy, so they are quite vulnerable. The harder the crane wheel, the better it is at its functions.

Need Crane Runway Products? Start Here!

If you have been trying to find crane runway products, then look no further. Installing crane runway products is an investment not only on the efficiency of your business but on your employees as well. Feel free to contact us today so we can get you started!

When you make a significant investment in equipment like an overhead crane, you know that investment will last for years and pay off dividends.

Like with any machinery, technology evolves, and new features appear on newer cranes. Does that mean that you have to get a brand new crane? No, but you can upgrade or modernize your crane for far less money.

Keep reading to find out if it’s time for your company to upgrade your overhead crane.

1. Wear and Tear of Crane Components

Over time, the components of an overhead crane will experience wear and tear. Pads will get worn down, and ropes can start to fray.

For older cranes, you have to take into account lost time and production to have the crane out of service. You would be better off modernizing the crane, rather than have it out of service frequently for repairs.

2. Issues Discovered During Inspection

During daily or periodic overhead crane inspections, problems may appear. If there were issues discovered during the inspection, they need to be addressed before you put the crane back into service.

That could require part replacement or upgrade.

3. Change in Operations

Your business may be experiencing a change in operations, which means that your lifting requirements have changed, too.

For example, a crane may need to make more lifts each shift, or you need to lift different types of materials than before. These changes could impact the load factor of the crane and cause more wear and tear on parts.

You want to make sure that your overhead crane is upgraded to meet the needs of your changing business operations.

4. Replacement Parts May Be Discontinued

As cranes get older and manufacturers release newer overhead crane models with updated features, your crane may no longer be supported.

Manufacturers may stop making replacement parts for older cranes, choosing to focus on their current line of cranes.

In this case, you’ll want to upgrade your crane and stock up on replacement parts.

5. Make Safety Improvements

Safety is always a priority for your business and your workers. It may be time to perform an upgrade to meet changing safety standards.

Since the technology of cranes is improving, safety standards of various industry organizations like ASME change as well. You can upgrade your overhead crane to meet these changes.

Upgrade Your Overhead Crane

An overhead crane can be challenging to maintain, especially as it gets older. Crane technologies change, and new features are added all the time.

The ways you can tell if an overhead crane needs an upgrade is if there is wear and tear of the components, replacement parts are being phased out, or if you want to improve the safety of the crane.

Would you like to know more about overhead crane parts to upgrade your crane? Contact our sales team today.

On overhead crane is a significant investment that you want to see last for years to come.

Overhead cranes may seem indestructible, but they require inspection, maintenance, and repair, just like any other piece of equipment or machinery.

Not doing so can result in accidents and injuries. There are about 200 crane-related deaths a year, mostly due to a worker being hit by an object from a crane.

Read on to learn the top signs that your overhead crane is due for inspection.  

1. Poor Records of Crane Inspections and Maintenance

It can be challenging to run a construction operation and keep adequate records of your equipment. OHSA requires that you maintain records of your inspections for seven years.

If you find that your inspection records are inadequate, your best bet is to start over and schedule an overhead crane inspection.

Your company should have checklists that show daily inspections for excessive wear and deterioration. Monthly inspection checklists should check for wear as well as inspecting rope and connections for wear.

Your records should also include what precautions and remedies were taken if your inspections showed any signs of repair or wear.

2. OHSA’s Standards

OHSA has strict standards that you need to abide by when it comes to overhead crane maintenance and inspection. You need to comply with OSHA’s standards and show that you have made inspections daily, monthly, and periodically.

There are some variations as far as periodic inspection goes. It depends on how and often the crane is in use.

OSHA’s guidelines also say that a crane that has been out of service between 1-6 months has to be inspected before resuming service.

For overhead cranes that used in normal conditions, they can undergo an annual inspection. Cranes that see heavy service should be inspected twice a year. A crane used in extreme circumstances should have quarterly inspections.

3. Damaged Parts or Recent Repairs

Has your overhead crane show signs of wear and tear? If something shows up in the inspection, the overhead crane needs to be taken offline before the crane can go back into service.

If your overhead crane had worn parts replaced or you see that parts are starting to show signs of wear and tear, you should have your overhead crane inspected before it’s in service.

Anything that appears loose or damage, such as frayed wires or hooks need to be repaired and inspected.

Get Your Overhead Crane Inspected

In a busy construction firm, it can be easy to let things fall through the cracks or put off things like an overhead crane inspection.

The more you put this off, the more likely it is that there will be an accident. That can cause injury to your employees and bystanders.

It’s a necessity to have your overhead crane regularly inspected to meet OSHA’s safety guidelines and the guidelines of your crane’s manufacturer.

Contact us today to schedule an overhead crane inspection today.

You’re using an overhead crane to move a few heavy tools from one place to another in your facility. Suddenly one of the objects slips out of the sling and falls to the ground below.

Luckily, none of your employees were hurt — this time. Overhead cranes are an easy and effective way of moving items throughout your facility, but if you don’t take the correct safety precautions, using them could end in disaster.

Safety needs to be your top priority no matter what machinery you’re using. To help you keep your workplace safe for everyone, here are three critical overhead crane safety tips.

1. The Hoists Need to be Maintained 

The quickest way to experience disaster when using overhead cranes is neglecting to maintain your hoists. Without regular testing, you’ll never know how much weight your hoists can take at one time. 

It’s also a known fact that machines get old. Moving parts do wear out after a while. Without maintenance, you won’t be aware when these parts start breaking down. 

To avoid danger, take care of your machines and get them checked regularly. 

2. The Slings or Attachments Should be Secured 

A lot of accidents involving overhead cranes could have been avoided if the slings had been appropriately secured. When you fail to make sure everything is secure, the heavy items could slip out and go crashing to the ground. You can only guess what happens if there were a bunch of employees in the way. 

Some hoists use a hooked latch. If you don’t close it all the way, the items can slip out like in the example above. While you’re at it, make sure any other attachments for the hoist are appropriately sized and are nice and secure on the hook saddle. 

3. Notify Your Employees of the Possible Risk

The easiest thing that you can do to avoid risk is to keep your employees informed of the danger at all times. Place “hoist danger” signs around the area, so that workers are aware that lifts are swinging above their heads. 

Training is also essential. All employees should be aware of necessary safety procedures like not walking under a full load. The employees in charge of operating the crane should know not to hover heavy items over the workers on the ground. 

Overhead Crane Safety Tips to Keep in Mind During Every Job 

While using an overhead crane to transport heavy items in your facility can be convenient, it can also be dangerous if done incorrectly. Use these safety tips to keep yourself and your employees aware so that you can avoid disaster in your workplace. 

Part of keeping your employees safe is making sure all your machine parts are up to date. Contact us to ask us questions about our products or request a quote!

Over half of all overhead crane fatalities involved injuries from objects or parts falling from cranes.

To avoid this type of injury and fatality, OSHA created a list of guidelines regarding the use and maintenance of overhead cranes. OSHA compliance should be one of your biggest priorities to protect the safety of your workers.

Keep reading to learn more about how you can become OSHA-compliant and how crane inspection can help you save the lives of your employees.

How to Achieve OSHA Compliance

We’re going to jump right into how you can achieve compliance with OSHA. As you’ll see, there are only a few steps, but each one will require a lot of work. Keep in mind that putting in this work is well worth the effort.

1. Know the Standards

Before you can adhere to the standards, you have to know what they are. Take your time in reading through the OSHA overhead crane standards to see which ones apply to your particular business.

These standards will determine what you need to do for the rest of the process.

2. Set up Inspections

One of the most important things you can do to comply with OSHA’s standards is to have regular inspections done of your overhead cranes. There are two types of inspection schedules that you need to follow.

Frequent Inspections

These should be done on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis on all cranes that are in regular use. You’ll need to check that your cranes are working correctly and that all parts are in good repair.

Periodic Inspections

These inspections are done quarterly, bi-annually, or annually. In some cases, it involves carefully checking parts like brakes and fire extinguishers. It may also require a thorough inspection of cranes that are not in regular use.

3. Follow Manufacturer’s Recommendations

In your crane’s logbook, you should be keeping track of the manufacturer’s recommendations for every part of your crane. These will need to be inspected or replaced in different timeframes, so you need to know when to do these.

4. Perform Preventative Maintenance

In addition to inspecting your crane and parts, you also need to be performing routine maintenance on it. This will help keep everything in good working order and allow you to continue to comply with OSHA standards.

This is another area in which you’ll have to check for manufacturer’s recommendations to see how often parts need to be serviced and what needs to be done for them.

5. Ensure All Personnel Are Qualified

Every person that works in or around your overhead crane should have the proper certifications. OHSA requires that all crane operators have the appropriate training to reduce the chances of workplace accidents from happening.

Don’t forget to restrict access to cranes by using a keycard system and locking doors whenever possible.

Need an Overhead Crane Inspection?

Now you know the five things you need to do to ensure OSHA compliance for your overhead crane operation. As you can see, there’s a lot of work involved, but it’s worth it for the safety of your workers.

If you need an inspection to meet OSHA guidelines, ask us about our overhead crane inspection services.