Overhead Cranes are the most versatile and widely used weight-lifters and are found from warehouses to industries, from factories to construction sites. These can be seen all around the world in different varieties. Its function is to lift heavy materials from one location to another location on the site. It is connected to a hook and cable to perform this task. This cable is attached to a trolley that moves along the bridge of the overhead crane.
An overhead bridge crane should be tested regularly before it can be used to lift a workpiece. Overhead bridge crane operators should be careful to never lift a workpiece that weighs more than the crane’s maximum load limit. Load limits are usually clearly marked on the sides of the crane, where they would be visible to the crane operator at all times.
Common Problems with Overhead Cranes and Precautions to Avoid Them
Overhead cranes are a big piece of investment for a company or person. just like some other machinery, overhead cranes also go through some regular maintenance issues to perform smoothly. As a company that is routinely called out to service, inspect, and repairs overhead cranes and hoists, Here is the list of the five most common problems with overhead cranes so that you have a better understanding of what issues or problems you might encounter during the life of your overhead crane. And most importantly, what you can do to help prevent or mitigate them.
1. Damage or Degradation to the Wire Rope
Birdcage, corrosion, abrasion, and extreme wear and tear are a few of the problems that can affect wire rope on an overhead crane. The best way to prevent damage or failure is to do regular maintenance of your wire rope and hoist. It is one of the most common issues that you may experience with an overhead crane system.
2. Crane Skew and Alignment Issues
If an overhead crane is out of alignment and skewing as it travels down the runway can cause significant stresses and damages to the entire crane system. These types of stresses can result in severe problems like accidents, crane failure or derailment, equipment downtime, and productivity loss, costly repairs and replacement of parts.
3. Excessive Wear to End Truck Wheels
An unalligned runway system can cause premature wear to the crane’s end trucks and wheels, motor drives, and other equipment. End truck wheels are components of overhead cranes that need frequent maintenance, replacement, or adjustment. Wheels are made up of a variety of materials, including polyurethane for gantry cranes, alloys, low-carbon steel, or medium-carbon steel.
4. Issues with the Electrification System
If your overhead crane is facing blowing fuses, then you may have a faulty circuit in the crane’s electrification system. Contact a crane service provider or trained engineer immediately to come out and identify the fault. There are several different issues related to an overhead crane’s electrification system that may require service or future maintenance.
A. Problems with Push Button Pendants or Radio Controls
B. Blown Fuses
5. Bent or Damaged Hooks
Regular inspection of hooks and other pieces of rigging hardware should be performed at the beginning of each shift to check for deformities or damage. A crane’s hook is designed to hold a load in a particular and precise direction which is technical, but when the weight isn’t supported as intended by the hook, it compromises the internal integrity of the hook and can increase the chance of the hook being damaged by bending, stretching, or cracking. The load can also slip off of the hook if it stretches out the throat opening.