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.

There are over 100,000 cranes in operation today. If your company uses a crane often, maintenance is a crucial aspect of your operation.

This means making sure their brakes and clutches are up-to-date and in working condition. 

You need reliable crane brake brands to make sure you’ve got someone to contact whenever your cranes need new parts. But where should you even look to find reliable crane brake brands?

That’s what we’ll be looking at today. In this crane brake buying guide, we’ll be discussing when you need a new brake and clutch, as well as some of the best industrial brake and clutch brands out there today. 

When You Should Buy a New Brake

When you notice that your brake is taking longer than usual to respond, it might be time to buy a new one. If you hear grinding or squeaking sounds, that’s also another sign that you should purchase a new brake. 

If there’s any sign of rust or wear-and-tear, it might also be time for a new crane brake. Additionally, if you feel like your crane isn’t moving as smoothly, it could be the brakes. 

When You Should Buy a New Clutch

If you notice a jerking or shuddering sensation when you engage the clutch, that’s one of the first signs that you need a replacement. Furthermore, if the clutch is becoming harder to depress, it could be time for a new one. 

Once your clutch begins to wear out, switching gears will become harder. This can cause a whole host of problems and should be addressed immediately.

Best Crane Clutch and Brake Resources

So, you need good crane clutch and brake brands — here should you turn?

Here are some top companies producing crane clutch and brakes today:

Antec

Antec is a reliable company whose roots began in designing and manufacturing industrial brakes. Their vast knowledge and experience make them one of the world’s leaders in hydraulic and electromagnetic technology. 

Some of their products include electromagnetic drum brakes and disc brakes. But their bread and butter remain crane brakes, which they’ve been producing for over 50 years. 

Hindon

Hindon specializes in producing high-quality industrial products, including fail-safe industrial crane brakes. They’ve been at it since 1983, making them seasoned professionals in crane brake and clutch manufacturing. 

They also provide excellent industrial brake repairs and other reliable products as well. 

Eaton

Eaton produces their very own Airflex series, which uses air-actuated disc clutches and spring-applied disc brakes for their clutches and brakes.

The Airflex crane brakes and clutches are extremely reliable. Eaton provides excellent customer support to help companies across multiple industries succeed with their clutch and brake products. 

Kor-Pak

Kor-Pak is an industrial crane and brake specialist, offering a wide range of products in all kinds of sizes, torque, styles, and applications. They also produce custom brakes and clutches.

With a customer-centric approach, Kor-Pak helps your company run at optimal efficiency with its excellent clutches and brakes. 

Leverage High-Quality Crane Brakes and Clutches Today

Finding high-quality brake brands can be tough, much less choosing from them. Use this guide to narrow down your search and find your optimal crane brake and clutch resource!

Looking for more informative articles on the crane industry? Check out the rest of our blog!

Cranes are a tool that you rely on when out on the job site. If they aren’t performing their best, it can be a liability and downright dangerous.

Regular maintenance and crane repair services are needed to keep your job site as safe as possible; This will help ensure that your employees are safe and that your cranes are in top working conditions.

Have you been wondering what might indicate that you need crane repair? We’ll cover five different signs to be on the lookout for in this article.

1. Crane Rope Issues

What’s a crane without its much-needed rope? To work safely and efficiently, this rope needs lots of maintenance to keep it working its best.

There are many types of issues that can take place with ropes, so it’s essential to monitor them. This will ensure that they’re strong and in good condition.

Like many other parts, ropes can start to age and fail. This can lead to them breaking or snapping when trying to pick uploads. If you start to notice fraying or any kinks, be sure to take action right away. This is a significant indicator that you need crane repairs soon.

2. Broken Hoses

As you know, there are many types of hoses, such as hydraulic hoses, that are needed to make a crane operate normally. Issues can start to arise when those hoses become damaged or bloated.

Before starting up the crane, it’s good practice to check up on the hoses. If you notice any abnormalities with them, it’s a good time to get them checked to be sure they are repaired.

Hoses that need repairs can appear deformed, or at worst, they can be broken. It’s an issue that will need attention from the best crane repair service as soon as possible.

3. Damaged Parts

Even the most minor parts of a crane can affect performance if they aren’t up to par.

Something as simple as a loose bolt can cause issues if it’s not caught in time. Broken pins are another big issue that can start to take a toll on the machine.

Keeping an eye out for these broken parts can help you get the necessary repairs before something else has the chance to fail too.

4. Pad Issues

Cranes have many pads that need attention and care throughout their lifespan. As time goes on, they’ll start to wear down and cause problems with the machine.

Worn pads can cause unnecessary noise and difficult operations. If you or your staff start to notice that your crane isn’t performing as it used to or you hear odd sounds, you’ll need to call in a crane repair service.

5. Corrosion

As your crane starts to age, corrosion is likely to happen. It can affect many parts, including the boom.

Corrosion can make the crane itself weak and dangerous to operate. This is why regular maintenance and crane repairs are essential to ensure that the crane is safe to operate. If it isn’t, then repairs will be needed.

Do I Need Crane Repair Service? Look For These Signs

If you notice any of these telling signs, be sure to call in a crane repair service. It will help give you peace of mind that the crane is working its best once again.

At Kor-Pak, we offer crane repair service and maintenance. We can also provide many new parts to keep your crane in working order.

Are you interested in having a crane repaired? If so, please contact us today!

On any construction project, the size of your margins is of critical importance. One of the biggest threats to your bottom line is construction downtime, which tends to occur when equipment failures strike. That is why you must follow a crane maintenance guide to keep your most important tool, your crane, in perfect working order.

Proper crane maintenance means knowing how to spot an equipment problem before it becomes serious. This means knowing the telltale signs that you need to order and install a new crane part. If you’re wondering, “does my crane need repairs?” read this essential guide to find out. 

1. Crane Part Corrosion

One of the most significant signs you need a new crane is the appearance of corrosion. If you can see corrosion, even if it is just a small amount of rust, the problem likely goes much deeper. When rust appears on the crane parts’ surface, the corrosion may be already deep inside the crane. Corroded crane parts are likely to break at the worst possible moments, potentially causing catastrophic damage. If crane parts are corroded, replace them immediately. 

2. Worn Out Pads

The outrigger, slider, and stabilizer pads are essential crane parts that workers often ignore. The pads are designed to take the crane’s blunt force’s movements and lift, an absorbing force so that the rest of the crane does not feel the pressure. If these begin to wear and tear, the entire structure of the crane becomes vulnerable. Check your pads to see if they are still in good condition and replace them if they are not. 

3. Dry Ropes and Slings

The ropes and the crane slings describe the moving parts that allow the rest of the crane to lift and expand as needed. These require regular, almost daily maintenance. They also need to be oiled constantly so that they do not dry out. If the ropes and slings dry out, the fibers will begin to fray and then snap. That is why you should keep them oiled and replace them if they begin to look worse for wear. 

4. Broken Chain Links

If your crane uses chain-based hoist systems, it is crucial that everyone on your team can spot a broken chain link as soon as it appears. All it takes is for one single chain link to snap for the whole structure to come crashing down. Maintain your chain links and always replace them when they begin to fray. You can order chain crane parts online for a very modest price.

5. Cracked Hooks 

The hook of the crane is an essential component. The hook is the tool that holds every item that needs to be lifted and is designed to help put everything neatly into place. If the hook begins to crack or bend in the wrong direction, the consequences can be catastrophic. Check the hook every day and make sure that it is in perfect condition before you begin construction. 

Keep Your Crane In Working Order 

If you need a new crane part, you have come to the right place. Check out our online store to order any new crane parts that you need to keep your construction project running smoothly. 

No matter your construction project’s size and scale, you need the right tools to complete the job to the highest standard at the best possible price. One of the most important tools in your chest is the crane. Knowing the right type of cranes for your construction project is essential if you want to complete the construction on time.

When asking “which crane is best for my job?” there are many crucial factors to consider, such as the terrain, lot size, and building materials you plan to use. With that in mind, put aside those complicated crane buying guides and instead read this essential explainer on the right types of cranes you need for your project. 

1. Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right Type of Cranes

If you are wondering how to know what crane to buy, it is essential to assess your construction needs. No two building sites are the same, with each one requiring precise tools and equipment to get the job done. When shopping for crane types, these are the main factors that you need to keep in mind: 

• The building site’s size: If you have a large site that requires a lot of driving, then a mobile crane is essential. 

• The loads to be lifted: Depending on the construction job, you could need a reinforced crane to lift titanium and steel. 

• The building site’s terrain: Different cranes are built to move on different terrain, be it sand, concrete, or mud. 

• The lifting height: How tall is your construction project? You will need to make sure your crane can reach the top. 

• The on-site safety needs: Safety is essential, which is why you need a crane that can navigate on-site hazards such as trees, pedestrians, and power lines. 

2. The Most Common Types of Cranes Explained 

Once you have assessed the needs of your construction site, you are ready to choose your crane. Here are the main options for you to consider: 

• Rough terrain crane: As you might have guessed, these are mobile cranes mounted to trucks that can drive in all-terrain environments. 

• Floating crane: This is a crane that is mounted on a vessel to allow construction at sea. 

• Truck-mounted crane: These are compact, and lightweight cranes attached to standard trucks and are often used for maintenance. 

• Overhead crane: Also known are bridge cranes, these are massive structures used for hefty overhead lifting, often in shipyards. 

• Hammerhead crane: These are large construction cranes that swivel on a fixed tower. 

• Tower crane: These are very high, slender cranes that are most commonly used in constructing urban tower blocks, and they are usually built up alongside the building itself. 

Other types of cranes may be better suited for your project, but these are the most popular options.

Upgrade Your Crane Today 

Now that you know the right type of cranes you need for your next construction project, it is time to ensure that you have the crane upgrades that you need to future-proof your investment. Make sure to consult our crane upgrades guides to determine how we can make sure your crane delivers everything you need. 

Cranes play an essential role within the construction industry, providing enormous lifting and moving capabilities on a wide variety of projects. The first cranes were used in modern-day Iraq around 5,000 years ago. Known as a shadouf, this simple crane was used to lift water for irrigation; it is still used in parts of the world today.

Today, modern crane brands such as Demag and Liebherr are sophisticated machines capable of lifting hundreds of tonnes. Here we will take a closer look at four notable brands on the market today, as well as some of the different types of cranes. Check out our cranes and hoists page for more information on our line of equipment.

Demag

Demag is a German heavy equipment manufacturer that was formally founded in 1910. For more than 100 years, it has built a reputation as a provider of powerful and reliable industrial cranes. Demag cranes are typically adept at handling loads smoothly, with high load capacity against minimum deadweight and reduced load sway.

Liebherr

Liebherr is a massive organization consisting of more than 130 different companies in total. Based in Switzerland, Liebherr manufactures a wide range of crawler, wheeled mobile, marine, and port cranes utilized by a myriad of industries around the world. Liebherr emphasizes operators’ comfort and safety.

Cargotec

This popular Finland-based crane manufacturer is well-known throughout the construction, forestry, transport, and distribution industries. Cargotec’s cranes are used worldwide and are effective in improving productivity as well as efficiency. Durably built, they are reliable machines that offer excellent safety standards.

Palfinger

Palfinger is an Austrian crane manufacturer known for its hydraulic loading, lifting, and handling systems. Palfinger has more than 150 models, notably the hydraulic loader crane, highly regarded as a user-friendly and efficient machine suitable for a range of projects.

Different Types of Crane

There is a wide range of different crane types available, depending on the industry and its requirements. Tower cranes are commonly seen within urban environments and where skyscrapers are being constructed. Given their height and lifting capacity, tower cranes are an essential feature of large-scale construction projects.

Other common crane types include mobile cranes, telescopic cranes, static cranes, gantry cranes, giant cantilever cranes, crawler cranes, and flying cranes. Mobile cranes, such as vehicle-mounted and self-erecting, make them a flexible, convenient, and efficient piece of equipment for a range of projects.

Find Great Crane Brands

As a leading manufacturer and distributor of equipment for a range of essential industries, we believe in providing high-quality products at competitive prices.

Speak to our team today about the crane brands, products, or parts you are interested in. You can also request a quote for more information. Contact us today through this form.

Be sure to check out our other blog posts on a range of topics.

According to a recent study by Market Research Future, predictive maintenance tools will save companies $6.3b by 2025.

By investing in tools, companies can reduce downtime and unexpected operating costs that may negatively impact their bottom line in the future.

Do you want to learn how to save your business valuable time and funds?

Keep reading if you want to find out what tools you need to keep your cranes operating.

What Are Predictive Maintenance Tools?

Predictive maintenance is the use of technology to intercept potential machinery failures. It focuses on the early observation of changes, which is more reliable than preventative maintenance. These issues can be fixed before the machine breaks.

Therefore, predictive maintenance is very valuable for safe working conditions and reducing downtime. 

Tools To Implement

There are a few types of technologies we can implement. These include sensors to gather data and tools to analyze this data. It may also be important to invest in scheduling tools to organize these processes.

Sensors

Sensors enable the detection of small changes in your machinery. They use multiple sensors and specific analytics so that you can detect a greater range of issues. This allows you to get a holistic understanding of how your machine works.

Sensors for vibration analysis detect indications of stress and wear through frequencies. If machines deviate from their usual vibration, this may indicate potential failure. These changes occur because a machine’s parts have reached the end of their lifespan.

Thermal imaging sensors check for excessive heat in interacting machine components. Catching these abnormalities early reduces one of the biggest threats to electric motors. This reduces costs, but it also prevents potentially dangerous working conditions.

Oil and lubricant sensors can expose potential leaks, excess metal, dirt, or sludge. This is important to examine how well your machine prevents moisture, dilution, or oxidization. It may also reveal grinding parts if metal shards are found in the oil.

Analytics

Now that we have sensor data, we need comprehensive analysis and machine learning. Predictive maintenance occurs as these algorithms analyze patterns against past trends. Through advanced algorithms, they can detect potential failures before they happen.

You will then have to understand whether the part is a repairable or replaceable system. This is easier when using analytic software because it can identify trends. It can then suggest the best course of servicing.

Scheduling

It is also important to use tools to schedule predictive maintenance. This is important if you intend to use it in conjunction with preventative maintenance. That is, where you undergo regular, scheduled inspections of equipment. 

How We Can Help

At Kor-Pak, we provide crane inspections and equipment repair services. These can be used as predictive maintenance tools to catch potential issues early.

If you want to understand more about implementing maintenance schedules, you can contact us. Don’t forget to share if you found this article useful.

If your business involves heavy lifting, having a crane provider you can trust is a big deal. On average, one crane “upset” happens every 10,000 machine hours of equipment usage.

While your crane falling over may not be the most common thing, conducting preventative maintenance should be. Only a qualified crane provider and maintenance specialist can service your crane the way it deserves.

This guide will give you all the tools you need to find the best crane provider for your crane services. Keep reading to learn more.

Inspections

There are many aspects of preventative maintenance for cranes. It all starts with a proper inspection. Getting an overhead crane inspection is an important part of keeping your crane safe and in good working order.

An inspection allows you to find problems before they become major issues. Cranes are complicated pieces of machinery with multiple moving parts. Every component has its maintenance regimes.

Preventative Maintenance 

Every part of your crane should be serviced and inspected regularly. This includes crane controls such as variable frequency drivelines. It also encompasses mechanical transmission components such as gearboxes.

Like your automobile, cranes need preventative maintenance to keep them from breaking down at inopportune times. Preventive maintenance also increases a crane’s equipment lifespan.

Rather than fix things retroactively, use preventative maintenance to stay ahead of the curve.

You can find the proper preventative maintenance regimes for your crane by contacting the manufacturer. Do not neglect regular preventive maintenance. Your crane’s safety and operational capacity will be affected as a result.

More than 5,000 fatal occupational injuries occurred at worksites in 2019 alone. To help avoid your employees becoming another statistic, you must conduct proper preventative maintenance. 

Find a Specialist for Crane Services

When selecting a specialist in crane services, you want to find a name you can trust. Pick a company that is known as a leader in the industry. Make sure that they have the full package of services that your organization needs.

This means that they can conduct inspections, provide crane services, conduct preventative maintenance. It also means they can carry out repairs and operate in all the sectors your company does business in.

Find a company that can do everything in-house. That way, you are not dealing with a patchwork of different crane services. Using a single company for your crane services needs increases accountability.

Additionally, you want to make sure the company you select has a specialization in dealing with your specific machinery types. 

There are many different makes and models of cranes. The worst thing that can happen is to hire a crane services specialist with little or no familiarity with your type of equipment.

Keep Your Cranes Serviced

A well-serviced crane is a safe and functional crane. Finding an organization that specializes in crane services can keep your workers safe and your equipment operational.

In the dangerous world of industrial machinery, this is what matters most. Contact us today to schedule a service estimate for your equipment. That way, you can have peace of mind knowing your cranes are in good hands.

Maintaining the integrity of your business equipment is something that cannot be overlooked. Not only does faulty equipment result in less efficient work, but it could also cause safety hazards for your employees and customers.

For this reason, predictive maintenance is a practice that business owners frequently implement. This is especially true with more complex equipment, such as cranes.

Let’s explore everything that you need to know.

So, What Exactly Is It?

As the name suggests, predictive maintenance is a proactive measure that involves estimating when certain equipment parts are likely to fail. Research and data are used to determine the average length of time before a failure will occur.

An automotive manufacturer might conclude that a particular vehicle part is likely to fail after 36 months. To prevent this scenario, the part is either replaced or repaired before this time.

Why Does It Matter?

As previously mentioned, predictive maintenance is essential to both productivity and overall safety. If a failure does occur, your business could easily experience a large handful of adverse consequences.

Faulty construction equipment, for example, could cause hundreds of thousands of dollars in property damage. Or, it could result in a significant amount of injury to a large number of people.

In the latter scenario, it’s not uncommon for victims to file a lawsuit against the company responsible for handling the equipment.

Predictive maintenance will go a long way in protecting your company’s reputation. It will also allow you to prevent multiple issues that would otherwise arise.

How Can I Get Started?

Before you can implement predictive maintenance, you need to understand when your equipment is likely to require repair. This is accomplished through consistent research and analysis on the behavior and performance of the equipment.

For example, you could use an electronic sensor on a crane that details the stress that equipment experiences while under load. When this crosses a certain threshold, the equipment would be at risk of failure.

You could use this data to make the necessary repairs or replacements before this value is reached.

Without this type of monitoring, your only alternative would be to service the equipment at specific intervals. For instance, you might choose to repair parts of your equipment every six months to prevent mechanical failure.

The issue here is that problems are likely to arise early on in the process since you won’t know precisely when you should maintain your equipment. So, keep this in mind when developing a method to do so.

Predictive Maintenance Might Seem Complicated to Implement

But the above information will make the process far smoother. From here, you’ll be able to Predictive maintenance to ensure that your equipment operates exactly how it’s supposed to. 

Want to learn more about what we have to offer? Feel free to reach out to us today and see how we can help.