Consider the benefits of crane modernization before committing to upgrading to a new crane. Your next overhead crane service could save you a lot of time and money if you consider the various upgrade options.

Many companies think they need to take the financial hit on a new overhead crane. This happens as a result of an inadequate inspection or discovering obsolete parts. With the right crane upgrades, they can achieve compliance, increased performance, and financial savings.

In this article, we discuss the three ways to modernize with your next overhead crane service. Continue reading to find out how to make the most of your existing crane.

Why Modernize Your Overhead Crane?

Benefits of overhead crane upgrades include extending the life of your crane and increasing reliability.

Both of these benefits also help you save money. This is because upgrading is often more cost-effective than completely replacing an otherwise functional crane.

You also may look to modernize if inspections show non-compliance or significant wear. Plus, you can increase worker’s safety. Upgrading can ensure compliance without breaking the bank.

Overhead Crane Modernization Options

Poor crane performance doesn’t mean you have to upgrade to a new crane. The same can be said if certain parts are nearing the end of their lifespan. There are several crane upgrades to consider before deciding on upgrading. 

The most common and beneficial crane maintenance options include increasing capacity, renewing electrical components, and crane relocation.

Be sure to discuss these options before your next overhead crane service. Plus, consider all of our other modernization and upgrade options.

Increase Capacity

If your company’s production or manufacturing processes have changed, you may need to upgrade your crane’s capacity. This is also true if it’s not meeting modern safety or efficiency standards.

Increasing capacity as part of overhead crane modernization involves an initial feasibility study. This process helps determine if the increased capacity is possible. To do this, they consider the crane’s structure as well as its mechanical and electrical parts. 

If the feasibility study confirms the possibility of increasing crane capacity, then you will need a structural engineering analysis. This analysis is more costly but also more in-depth than the feasibility study.

Renew Electrical Components

Consider renewing electrical components if you want to minimize downtime and increase efficiency. There are several overhead crane parts to achieve this. 

For example, upgrading speed and motion controls is a good place to start your next overhead crane service. These parts increase performance and result in less repair time. Plus, it’s one of the less costly modernization options available. 

Crane Relocation

When processes change, crane relocation may be necessary. Relocating a crane is more cost-effective than purchasing something entirely new. This is true even if you are planning to move to a completely new facility.

This process is more complex than standard crane maintenance. That’s why working with the right company is essential. 

Be Prepared Before Your Next Overhead Crane Service

Your next overhead crane service provides the opportunity for the modernization you need. If you’re considering upgrading to a new overhead crane, you may be worried about costs. Take a moment to consider how crane upgrades can achieve your goals and save you money. 

Contact us today to receive a quote on upgrading your overhead crane. 

Every industrial business owner is all too familiar with the word “inspections.” There are safety inspections, OSHA inspections, annual inspections, and many other types of inspections. Teams need to prepare for all of these. 

And, for any business that operates cranes as part of their industrial machinery, undergoing a routine crane inspection is one of those. That way, regulatory agencies can ensure the cranes are being operated safely. 

If you’re unsure of what to expect when the crane inspector comes knocking, don’t worry. Let’s take a quick look at what requirements your crane needs to meet to pass inspections. 

Types of Crane Inspections

To best understand how crane inspections work, you need to understand the different types of crane inspections. Under OSHA, these fall into a few main categories. 

The Initial Crane Inspection

The initial crane inspection is a test that businesses must conduct after installing a new crane. It also applies to any crane that has been reinstalled after undergoing renovations or repairs.   

During this type of inspection, the crane must pass a visual test once it has been properly installed. Businesses must provide documentation showing that the crane passed the initial inspection. They won’t be able to use the crane until they can provide documentation.

Functional Test Inspection

The next type of crane inspection is something called a functional test inspection. These are inspections that are conducted every time someone uses the machinery.

Before using the machinery, OSHA requires a visual test of the crane’s functionality to carry out operations safely. The inspections check for functionality, damage, and aging on the machine before use.

Frequent Crane Inspections

A frequent crane inspection includes all the components of a functional test inspection. However, it doesn’t require documentation. It’s also carried out more regularly and must test the machinery’s operations. Frequent crane inspections require a visual inspection to ensure there is no need for repairs.

These inspections are carried out daily, weekly, or monthly depending on the classification of the crane. The more the crane is used, the more frequent its inspections will need to be. 

Periodic Crane Inspections

This type of inspection is the least frequent of all the crane inspections that are typically conducted. Its frequency is based on how much the machinery is used and is generally conducted annually or quarterly. 

Periodic crane inspections are typically a thorough visual and functional test of all the crane’s components. Depending on the outcome of the periodic inspection, you may be required to undergo additional tests or do maintenance on your machinery.

Bring It All Together: Why Crane Inspections Matter

Crane inspections aren’t carried out just to make OSHA happy. They’re essential because they’re what keep your operations running smoothly and your employees safe on the job. 

If your business frequently uses cranes and you want to keep your employees safe and adhere to OSHA guidelines, you need to make sure you’re keeping up with inspections.

The team at Kor-Pak can help you conduct all the crane inspections you need. Give us a call, and we’ll help you schedule your next frequent or periodic crane inspection. 

Cranes play a big role in many large construction sites; there’s simply no way many jobs could get done without these tools. But they can be major safety hazards if not taken care of properly to both those operating the machine and everyone else on the site. 

One of the areas of the machines that often get overlooked is the crane wheels. They should regularly be inspected and upgraded to ensure the machine can work properly and everyone involved isn’t at risk. Sometimes it isn’t easy to know when the best time for replacement is. 

Luckily, we’ve created a guide to help you know when it’s the time!

Obvious Signs of Wear

A visual inspection of each part of the machine should be a part of your preventive crane maintenance routine. Often, there will be undeniable signs of crane damage that can be caught early and replaced with no problems. 

As you look at your crane wheels, pay particular attention to the treads and how they’re wearing down. Uneven wear can be a sign of another problem. But you can also tell how effective the wheels will be and if it’s necessary to change them or keep an eye on them for the next little while. 

Increased Load for Jobs 

Not every construction job is the same, and so the same equipment or parts on that equipment will work no matter what. Some jobs will have a higher load, which means you’ll need different wheels to accommodate that extra weight. 

Each wheel will come with specifications for what they’re capable of, which will show you whether you need to replace it or not. 

Taking a closer look at the wheels is a great way of crane troubleshooting to avoid running into problems that will slow the whole project down. 

Routine Maintenance 

It’s tempting to skimp on your crane maintenance schedule and try to stretch out the life of your parts and machinery as long as possible. But that can lead to even more expensive upgrades down the road. 

Routine, regular maintenance will extend the life of your crane by eliminating damage caused by broken or worn-out parts. 

If you can replace worn-out parts before they break, they won’t have the opportunity to cause damage to other areas or give out entirely. The extra effort and money upfront will pay off every day you don’t run into a huge problem. 

When to Replace Crane Wheels

There’s so much to manage on a construction site, and all of the tiny details make a huge impact on the job’s success. Even the crane wheels and their replacement can slow everything down or, worse, cause an accident that stops production altogether. 

It’s important to pay close attention to your crane parts to keep things running as smoothly as possible. An inspection doesn’t have to be a major undertaking, but it should be someone’s responsibility to make sure it gets done when it should and that anything that’s found can be taken care of quickly. 

If you need parts for your construction equipment or you’re interested in overhauling your cranes, contact us today! 

When your construction project merits an all-terrain crane, look no further than the Demag AC 500-8. Demag cranes have a reputation for reliability and performance.

No matter what type of infrastructure projects you have in mind, the Demag AC 500-8 has got you covered. From traversing uneven ground to facilitating bridge-building, the AC 500-8 can handle the job.

Read on to find out how the AC 500-8 all-terrain crane can be of service to you. That way, you will be sure to have the very best equipment for your project.

The Construction Industry Is Booming

The construction industry is booming, especially with the introduction of the current infrastructure plan. The demand for heavy equipment such as cranes is only projected to grow in the coming years.

A Compact All-Terrain Crane

Big things come in small packages sometimes, and the Demag AC 500-8 is a prime example of this saying. Despite its compact size, this crane packs a punch with a capacity class of 600 U.S. tons.

With eight axles and off-road capabilities, the AC 500-8 is sure to be able to get to your job site, no matter how remote or inaccessible. With a larger than average system length, the AC 500-8 is renowned for its reach.

Why go with a larger crane when this is fully capable of almost anything you have to throw at it? If you could only have one crane, this is your best overall package.

Reputation for Excellence 

The Demag name has a long reputation for excellent performance in the field. The company has deep roots of over 100 years old. You can check out the complete history of Demag here.

Since its conception, Demag has striven to provide excellent equipment of every sort as they have grown and developed as a company.

They are now one of the top recognized brands in the industry for cranes and other heavy equipment.

Where to Get Demag Cranes

Your best bet to obtain a Demag crane is from a certified heavy equipment dealer specializing in mobile cranes and hoists. A good dealer will be able to evaluate your project’s specific circumstances on a case-by-case basis.

They will tell you what best fits your building job or project and recommend you the proper equipment. A good crane distributor will be knowledgeable and have access to multiple different kinds of equipment.

That way, you will be sure to get what you need no matter how tough or extensive your construction project may be.

Get the Best Equipment for Your Project

Your company’s quality of work and reputation all hinges on the quality of your equipment. If you seek top-tier quality for an all-terrain crane, your best bet is the Demag AC 500-8.

Have the confidence to take on even the most challenging of infrastructure projects. Contact us today to go over your options for purchasing a Demag AC 500-8.

Having both a speedy and effective crane servicing team helps prevent accidents and reduces the costs of downtime.

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In the construction industry, periods of downtime are inevitable. They may be the result of bad weather, personnel issues, or breaks for maintenance. 

Cranes are a type of construction machinery that builders rely on. Large-scale projects would be impossible without them. Crews have to inspect them regularly to ensure that they are safe and operating efficiently.

Downtime can be expensive, so companies try to keep it to a minimum while still ensuring safety.

It’s essential to understand what’s behind crane servicing costs. It explains why maintenance downtime can be so expensive. Here’s a brief overview, including what you can do to reduce downtime.

What Is the Cost of Downtime for Crane Servicing?

Construction companies tend to lose money when their equipment undergoes repairs or maintenance. If they own a crane, they will likely pay more in labor costs.

In contrast, renting usually means extra daily fees and sometimes storage charges. Here’s a look at the characteristics of planned and unplanned crane downtime.

Planned Downtime

Many companies follow specific maintenance timelines. This helps them predict precisely when a crane will be out of service. Another way of describing planned downtime is to call it preventive maintenance.

Preventive maintenance involves checking each system, whether it’s electrical, computer, or mechanical. During a maintenance check, technicians follow specific quality standards. They look for signs of strain and replace any parts that look worn or broken.

Sometimes this can include upgrading a crane’s parts or replacing old systems. A total overhaul can go a long way towards preventing breakdowns.

The goal of planned downtime is to prevent unplanned downtime.

Unplanned Downtime

Unplanned crane downtime is most often the result of something breaking or malfunctioning. Unplanned downtime can be as high as 20-30% in the construction industry.

Construction managers prefer to avoid it but always allow for it in their time estimates. Unfortunately, operational costs can skyrocket in this scenario. For every minute of downtime, money evaporates.

Waiting around for crane repairs means that the entire building project has to stop. This results in all kinds of hidden costs. 

Hidden costs include shipping fees for parts, labor, extra rental fees, and storage charges. Another problem is unhappy clients. They rarely understand when a project gets behind schedule.

How to Reduce Your Downtime Costs

It is possible to control crane servicing costs with the right type of preparation. If a crane operator has a specialist maintenance company on standby, they can cut the downtime for repairs. 

We can create custom parts in-house, and we’re experts in servicing many of the crane brands in use today.

Our experience comes from working in a variety of industries. These include oil and gas, wind power, maritime, agriculture, steel and iron, mining, etc.

To request a quote or find out more about what we can do for you, contact us today!

Does your company regularly resupply crane parts? Are you a dock worker that needs reliable crane operations? Do you know any engineers that need some heavy-lifting machinery?

Then loader cranes are probably the right fit for you. Also known as a knuckle-boom crane, loader cranes are instrumental in most industrial work. 

But how do you choose the right loader crane? And how do you maintain them properly?

That’s what we’re here to discuss today. Read on to learn about the different types of loader cranes and how they can be maintained. 

Types of Cranes

You might be wondering where loader cranes fit into other types. Let’s discuss some common cranes here:

Static Cranes

These types are what their name suggests. They stay in place, and mobility is minimal. This includes tower cranes that are designed to carry huge loads. 

Self-erecting cranes can hoist loads vertically and place them horizontally. Their small footprint makes them ideal for city projects. 

Mobile Cranes

These are cranes attached to vehicles such as trucks. These cranes often have 180- or 360-degree rotation. They’re often built smaller and for different terrains. 

Where Do Loader Cranes Fit?

Loader cranes, also known as articulating cranes and knuckle-boom cranes, are often attached to vehicles. This makes them incredibly mobile. 

Loader Crane Maintenance Tips

If you have a loader crane, you need to take care of it for long-term use. Here are some key tips for maintaining your loader crane:

Routine Checks 

Routine checks prevent worries about your loader crane malfunctioning during a critical project. Checking each component for wear-and-tear is crucial here. 

This also involves lubricating, moving parts, and changing oils constantly. Hiring professional maintenance crews might be worthwhile here. 

Mandatory Inspections

This is a critical strategy to keep all of your workers accountable for their equipment. If you lead a large team, it’s impossible to check on every detail yourself. 

If you issue mandatory inspections, workers will be forced to take care of your loader cranes. This boosts safety. 

Hiring inspectors during these audits would also be a great idea. Cross-referencing with industry standards will help keep your workers and project sites safe. 

Preventive Care

This form of care requires making sure all parts of your loader crane are operating at mandatory standards. If they’re below factory standard levels, it’s time to take some preventative measures. 

This keeps your crane from breaking down at inopportune times. While you might not think that your crane needs immediate care, preventative measures go a long way. 

Also, consider buying spare parts as part of preventive care. You never want to be stuck with a broken crane that doesn’t have the right parts for replacement. 

Get the Right Loader Crane Today

While different types of cranes fit various roles, loader cranes can benefit your site right away. Use this guide to help you decide whether or not your company needs a loader crane. 

Are you looking for reliable crane materials? Want to improve your loader crane handling? Contact us today, and we’ll get you started on a solution right away!

Working with cranes is a high-stakes project. From damaging cargo to putting human lives at stake, there’s a lot that can go wrong. 

That’s why modernization and crane automation are so important. Technology is progressing at warp speed, and keeping up can make all the difference in safety and productivity.

Whether you’re a crane controller or an engineer, we’ve got an inside look at how AI and data analysis will revolutionize boom crane automation in the digital age.

Artificial Intelligence for Crane Controls

For a crane controller, each decision is fraught with importance. Making minute adjustments changes the size of the load, the speed of the swing can cause disaster, and safely depositing the load is a challenge.

This takes a lot of skill, precision, and hand-eye coordination. Even with the most skilled crane controller, human error can still impact safety in the workplace.

That’s why artificial intelligence can skyrocket productivity for construction projects. AI uses camera input, computer vision software, and visual data input to perform each movement.

The AI system can then communicate with crane controllers to inform them of any people, obstacles, or hazards nearby. This alters the crane’s movements. Much like a collision alert system in a car, it alerts human operators of the potential danger they might not be able to see or avert in time.

With artificial intelligence acting on real-time data, crane controls can be automated to improve construction efficiency drastically. This can boost precision in the crane’s movements by up to 30%.

Construction projects are notorious for running over schedule and budget. With increased speed, safety, and precision, smart crane solutions help solve this issue.

Data Analysis for Crane Controls

Is your crane on the verge of breaking down? If time is of the essence, data analysis paired with AI can perform diagnostics. This can help you pinpoint where repairs are necessary and alert you when maintenance you need to handle maintenance.

This can prevent costly downtime where your crane is out of order. It can also prevent disaster, where your crane breaks, collapses, or drops a load due to parts failing.

Data analysis can also inform you about inventory. How many logs, containers, or pieces of machinery is your crane picking up and moving? How many logs have moved to Yard A, and how many did it move to Yard B?

Data analysis can keep you on track regarding crane repairs, maintenance, and inventory tracking.

Equipment Maintenance for a Crane Controller

The construction industry is sometimes behind the curve when it comes to digital solutions. Whether you’re an engineer or a crane controller, it’s essential to keep up to date on the latest options.

However, nothing will completely replace human expertise. Whether you’re looking for heavy industry parts or services, we’ve got you covered. Contact us today to see what we can do for you!

A crane can be strong enough to lift what you need it to, but if it can’t reach the location you need, it’s worthless.

Whether you’re in construction for highways, building new neighborhoods, or working at an industrial plant, you have to understand the different types of terrains and which crane will work best for you.

Keep reading to learn about the different types of workspaces and what you need to know about them before buying a mobile crane.

Rocky Road

If your construction site is in a less developed area or off of a city, you may encounter rocky roads that not every crane is built to drive on.

For these situations, you need an all-terrain crane. You can drive these on highways to get to remote locations and easily drive them on unfinished roads without any issues or breakdowns.

Rough, or Undeveloped Land

Sometimes you’re starting from scratch with a new area, and you need a crane that’s going to be able to drive on undeveloped land. When your site is on grass, dirt, or areas that a typical vehicle can’t drive to, you need a rough terrain crane.

As you may have expected, a rough terrain crane has an engine and strong enough wheels to drive on rough terrains. These cranes use a 4-wheel drive and usually have a single-engine it operates on that powers its boom and undercarriage.

Highway Construction

With highway construction sites, your best option is to use a truck-mounted crane. About 75% of all cranes in service today are truck-mounted cranes.

What’s great about these cranes is they’re able to be adapted to plenty of different types of jobs, outside of just highway construction, which is what makes them so popular. They can lift as much as 1,300 short tons, and most of them can swing a full 360 degrees. 

These cranes can be driven on the highway, making them convenient for highway-type terrains.

Concrete Flooring

If you’re in an industrial manufacturing plant, you may have concrete that’s ideal for most types of vehicles to drive on. In this case, large cranes like we mentioned before might be too large for you. This is when you should consider a telescopic handler. 

Essentially, they’re forklifts that have a telescoping boom attached to their front end. They can be driven in any direction and can be used to move pallets or put large trusses away. If you don’t have a long way to go, and the loads aren’t overly heavy, a telescopic handler is a suitable choice for you.

Remember, though, not every crane can drive on concrete, so be sure it’s under the weight limit so you don’t crack your floor.

Buy Your Mobile Crane Today

Now that you know about the different types of terrains you could come in contact with, and what the best option for each is, it’s time to buy your crane!

If you need more help determining what mobile crane is right for you, speak to an expert today!

When looking to buy tower cranes, there is a lot to consider besides the crane brand. For the most part, the tower crane parts play an essential factor in hooking in buyers.

Here are some of the tower crane parts to factor in when deciding which crane to buy.

The Boom

The boom of a crane is the long arm that moves the load. Booms can either be one solid piece or fold to extend and offer the crane better reach.

The height and radius of the farthest load pick-up will determine how long your tower crane’s jib will be. If the construction is vertical, you will need a lift with a longer jib length. In calculating the required length, consider fixed obstructions on or near the job site, such as high power lines, buildings, and bridges.

Hoist

It’s best to check the hoist power capacity. Be sure the hoist has enough power to pick up the heaviest load at the greatest building height.

The hoist of a crane holds, raises, and lowers the load using wire rope or chains, creating the lifts. Hoists can be hand-powered, electrically powered, or powered with compressed air. Choosing a suitable hoist is essential to have a system that will meet your lifting needs.

Hook

The hook that connects to the hoist supports the crane’s load. It’s worth noting how powerful and fast the hook line of your tower crane is for work efficiency.

In doing so, always consider the hoist speed of a standard lift and the weight of a typical load. High line speeds are significant with tall buildings and useless on buildings with five floors and below.

Hydraulic Pump

Various parts of a crane use hydraulic pressure function and lift weighted loads around. Most cranes use a hydraulic pump system that uses two rotating gears to pressurize oil. In a gear pump, you will have to run the engine at full power to get high pressure.

It’s worth noting that piston pumps are among the most efficient hydraulic pump and is a good basis when choosing your tower crane.

Controls

An important tower crane part is the controls which are either mounted, battery-powered, or a hanging pendant. The controls run the drive and hoist motors to control the hoist and the speed. Remote pendants retrofit most crane systems, and so remote operation is a safer alternative in many situations.

Learn More About Tower Crane Parts Today!

These are only some of the basic things you will have to consider when buying a tower crane. Why stop here when you can keep learning about tower cranes.

Don’t know where to find more information on tower crane parts? Don’t worry; we`re here for you. Contact us and let us know how we can help you!

Your crane is essentially your business’s right hand when it’s time to tackle a construction project. And fortunately, up to now, your crane has been running like a dream. 

The question is, how can you keep it from becoming a nightmare?

Research shows that from 2011 to 2015, more than 200 people died in crane-related accidents. That’s equivalent to more than 40 people per year on average.

Unfortunately, these accidents can quickly happen if they are not maintained properly, which is why hiring a crane service company is a wise idea.

Here’s a rundown on three things your crane service company should cover when maintaining, checking, and servicing your cranes. 

1. Crane Wire Rope Degradation or Damage

A damaged or degraded wire rope is a common issue associated with overhead cranes, so be sure that your chosen crane service company evaluates your rope’s condition.

Several operating conditions may affect your rope, including stresses, bending, and loading conditions. The materials you handle, abrasion, and corrosion can also reduce your wire rope’s life.

Depending on your rope’s condition, it may need lubrication to protect it against friction and corrosion. Alternatively, it may need to be replaced. 

2. Worn Crane Brakes

Your crane brakes should also be regularly inspected by a professional. This is important because your drum brakes play a crucial role in your service performance, for example. In addition, your caliper disc brakes will help to keep loads from falling in emergencies.

Signs that your brakes require repair include a screeching or squeaking sound. In addition, you may notice that your brakes are not moving smoothly. Or you might notice your brakes looking rusty.

An inspector can help you to repair your brakes or to replace them to maximize your equipment’s efficiency and your workers’ safety. 

3. Damaged or Bent Crane Hooks

A crane inspection is also helpful for identifying damaged hooks, which can pose a significant safety risk.

If a crane hook cannot hold loads in precise directions due to bending or cracking, your loads may slip off. In addition, the hook could struggle with loads in the future or eventually break.

A crane service company can let you know if they see any cracks or bends in your hook, in which case a repair or replacement is in order.

How Our Crane Service Company Can Help

As a leading crane service company in Illinois, we take pride in conducting complete inspections of our valued clients’ overhead cranes.

As part of our inspections, we visually check the conditions of all structural components, switches, and electrical devices. In addition, we produce full written reports listing all safety, NEC, and OSHA deficiencies. We also highlight all recommended repairs, as well as quotations for labor and parts.

Get in touch with us to learn more about how we can keep your cranes operating in the top-tier condition in the months and years ahead.