Your overhead cranes are an important component of your business. They help you complete tasks that otherwise might be impossible for manpower alone. They are also complicated pieces of heavy equipment that deserve special attention. For all of these reasons, it makes sense to put some thought into choosing between overhead crane service companies.

Before you make a decision, you should know why, exactly, it makes sense to outsource crane service and what to look for as you narrow down your selection.

Professionally Trained Staff

When you’re first looking for overhead crane service companies, you may think that all are the same. This simply is not true, and you must confirm that your technicians and trainers are all well versed in each specific piece of equipment and the application you plan to use it for. 

Your crane service technicians and personnel should also have the experience they need to provide hands-on training to your own in-house crane operators. Ask about both beginner and advanced operating strategies and maneuvers as well as any pertinent assessment or safety training and tests they’ll administer. Remember, having trained and informed employees is the best way to reduce accidents and injuries.

The Ability To Offer Comprehensive Inspections

Depending on how often your crane is used, it will need to be thoroughly inspected at least once each year, with many other inspections and services completed more frequently. All overhead crane service companies should have the ability and experience to perform both periodic and frequent inspections and to train your staff on how to handle any required weekly, monthly, or pre-shift inspection needs.

Your crane service company can help you keep your equipment in top shape as well as identify safety hazards. Remember, the sooner issues are found, the less likely you are to experience equipment malfunction or failure.

OEM Or Compatible Parts Availability

Importantly, crane inspection companies that advertise repair and service should have access to OEM or highly compatible parts. Your overhead crane service company may even have the capability to fabricate specialty equipment or to make modifications to ensure your machinery runs more efficiently and safely. At Integrity Crane and Hoist, we keep a full supply of common items from all of the major manufacturers in stock.

Choosing between overhead crane service companies isn’t always easy. While many appear to be the same on the surface, there are subtle nuances, including how staff is trained and what parts they have access to, that might make one a better fit than another.

If you are looking at crane service companies, look no further than Integrity Crane and Hoist, our highly experienced and passionate sales and service staff can help you keep your equipment up and running.

If you’ve ever walked into a manufacturing facility, you’ve probably seen multiple cranes looking overhead. You might have wondered if all overhead cranes are the same? According to Integrity Crane and Hoist of Columbia, TN, the answer is no.

Q: How many different types of overhead cranes are there?

Integrity Crane and Hoist: There are several, actually. These include overhead bridge cranes, gantry cranes, jib cranes, freestanding cranes, monorail cranes, and overhead traveling bridge cranes. Each has a different application, but, ultimately, they are all designed to keep employees safe and streamline labor-intensive operations.

Q: What is a gantry crane?

Integrity Crane and Hoist: A gantry crane is an overhead device that looks much like a standard bridge crane. The primary difference here is that a gantry is supported by a duo of A-frame steel supports, which sit flush to the floor. Sometimes, the crane is equipped with casters, which allows it to be relocated from one part of the building to another.

Q: When would a manufacturing environment utilize a jib crane?

Integrity Crane and Hoist: Of all of the different types of overhead cranes, jibs are one of the most specialized. These are typically part of a specific action and are often installed permanently. There are many types of jib cranes, including motorized and, for light applications, portable. Depending on where the jib crane is mounted, it may offer anywhere from 180° to 360° of work area coverage.

Q: What makes a monorail crane different from other overhead cranes?

Integrity Crane and Hoist: Again, the application is always the same in that cranes lift heavy objects and relocate them from one place to another. However, monorail cranes are a bit different than overhead bridge cranes, and you might find a monorail in an assembly line. A monorail is mounted on an up-and-down axis, and it may be curved to move around tight spaces.

Q: What is the largest type of overhead crane?

Integrity Crane and Hoist: For most manufacturing applications, the largest possible device is an overhead traveling bridge crane. These are usually custom-designed to run the entire length of a building. They are available as a single or double girder and operate on three axes. 

Q: How do manufacturing managers decide which of the overhead cranes is right for their needs?

Integrity Crane and Hoist: For those contacting Integrity Crane and Hoist, we start with a full evaluation of their needs. We find out everything from the maximum capacity needed to how often the crane will be put into service. We may pay a visit to their facility to evaluate crane travel length and headroom distance, indoor or outdoor placement, and whether or not the client needs something that moves at a single speed or can be customized based on load.

When your manufacturing floor needs a new crane system, contact Integrity Crane and Hoist online.

At the end of a long day of installing your overhead cranes, you might think that your job is done. However, according to Tennessee-based Integrity Crane and Hoist, OSHA standards mandate routine maintenance on your equipment. Keep reading for a bit of insight on why the standards are so stringent and what types of inspections are needed to keep you compliant.

Q: How often do my overhead cranes need inspection and maintenance?

Integrity Crane And Hoist: Overhead equipment requires both quarterly and annual inspections and service. To fulfill Cal-OSHA requirements, your crane and hoist system must have preventative maintenance performed four times each year. These quarterly inspections offer an opportunity for your machines to undergo a “tuneup,” which can reduce downtime and prevent costly damage down the road. Your annual inspection also reduces liability and helps to ensure that your entire staff is aware of potential maintenance issues.

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Regular gantry crane inspection and maintenance benefit your organization in different ways. You can spot wear and tear early on, which reduces the risk of equipment failures and accidents. Ensuring that your gantry cranes are working fine saves you time and maintains your productivity; you don’t have to decommission any equipment and put operations on hold. Gantry cranes will, in turn, last longer; this helps you save money on major repairs and equipment replacement.

Types of gantry crane inspections

The type and frequency of gantry crane inspections will depend on the manufacturer’s recommendations and the working environment. It will also depend on the frequency of the usage of the gantry crane. The types of inspections include:

Routine inspections. Regular checking encompasses both visual inspections and maintenance work to meet the manufacturer’s maintenance requirements. Regular checks should be carried out at intervals not exceeding three months apart unless the crane is not engaged in work.

Check speed controls, operational smoothness, emergency and safety switches, and interlocks. Make sure all moving parts are lubricated, filter elements are cleaned and replaced, and required fluids are at their correct levels. Routine inspections help reduce wear and tear and instances of unplanned work stoppage while maintaining equipment availability.

Periodic inspections.  The basis of routine checks should be on-site conditions. Another one is the frequency of the usage of gantry cranes. Note that the inspection interval should not exceed 12 months. Apart from inspecting parts recommended by the manufacturer, check critical components such as brakes, gears, fasteners, pins, shafts, wire ropes, sheaves, locking devices, couplings, torque arms, and buffers.

Periodic third-party inspections. A trained and qualified independent inspector should always perform third-party checks. Each overhead crane should undergo a third-party assessment to ensure that the maintenance and repairs comply with industry standards and the crane is safe to use. 

Inspectors should review all maintenance records of the crane before the inspection, and they should document the results. There should also be a confirmation that the usage of the crane is according to its design classification. The assessment should cover electrical, mechanical, and structural components. If the crane has an existing condition, cover plates should be left open and guards removed. They shall pay particular attention to any element with any history of malfunction.

Major inspections. Major inspections are required to assess gantry crane safety and usability. Major assessments should include all manufacturer-specific items and structural, mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation components. It should cover the gantry crane’s operational history, outlier events (e.g., overloads, duty changes, collisions), emergency functions, braking systems, and the disassembly and removal of paint, grease, and corrosion from critical components of the crane. Expect the inspector to check for any evidence of cracking, fatigue, and excessive stress.

Covering the southeastern United States, Integrity Crane and Hoist, LLC (ICH) is committed to overhead crane service excellence and workplace safety, striving for zero incidents at all times. Call (615) 302-3431 for more information.