Cranes are an integral part of your construction site, which is why they must receive regular maintenance and service. Otherwise, they aren’t going to be able to function correctly and as efficiently as you want. But, crane maintenance isn’t just about function; it serves other purposes as well.
The Importance of Crane Maintenance
Here are three reasons why crane maintenance is so essential.
1. Safety
Construction sites can be dangerous places to work, but this risk is dramatically increased when machinery isn’t operating correctly. Therefore, by maintaining your cranes, you can be assured that your site is as safe as possible. If you opt to disregard maintenance and scheduled inspections, then you are far more likely to have to deal with equipment failure which, in turn, increases the likelihood of accidents and injuries happening onsite.
2. Inspections
At this point, you are probably well-aware that inspectors come to check (at regular intervals) on the safety and risk management of your construction site. If your machinery (including cranes) aren’t up to standard, then you could quickly find yourself in trouble.These inspectors are looking to ensure that your site is compliant with Occupational Safety and Health Regulations and that you are providing a safe place for your workers.
If a part needs replacing then go with a reputable company to replace the part such as AGA Parts.
Therefore, they will look at the design of the crane, its compliance with maintenance programs, and the presence of ladders and other accessibility assistance tools that are required for repairs. Furthermore, they will want to see thorough records of the crane maintenance, testing, and inspection, as well as operator training and license requirements.
3. Efficiency
The last thing you want is for your construction project to be delayed because of an equipment failure on the construction site. However, if you aren’t maintaining your cranes, then you are much more likely to run into an issue.
By committing to regular maintenance, you are prioritizing efficiency and preventing the need for extended lost-time due to crane repairs. Reduced productivity is not a good sign for a construction firm, so not only will this affect the current project, but it will also affect your reputation and the chance of building your business.
How To Maintain Your Crane
Now that you understand the importance of crane maintenance, you are probably wondering what the best practices for making it happen are. To realize the benefits listed above, you want to be following these four crane maintenance tips.
1. Keep track of crane maintenance activities.
One of the best crane habits you can start is to keep a log of all crane maintenance activities, observations, repairs, and inspections. By doing this, you can quickly look back and ensure that you are staying up-to-date with the manufacturer’s recommendations for the servicing of the crane.
Additionally, a written record of crane maintenance activities enables your onsite team to observe the maintenance of the crane easily. Plus, when an issue does (inevitably) arise, you have a clear log of what has been done that you can present to the crane hire company or the manufacturer.
2. Focus on preventive and routine maintenance.
When it comes to maintaining a crane, there are two types of maintenance that you want to provide: preventive maintenance and routine maintenance. These two forms of maintenance vary in regards to scale. Generally, routine maintenance incorporates smaller tasks, while the goal of preventive maintenance is to bypass repairs and possibly hazardous situations when the equipment is in operation.
Both types of maintenance should follow the equipment manufacturer’s recommendations which is why you or your crane hire company must be fully aware of the needed maintenance procedures and service intervals for each specific crane.
3. Create a schedule for routine checking.
As with most things in life, by setting a schedule for when routine checking will happen is the best way to ensure that it actually gets done.
During this regular checking, you want to ensure that fundamental maintenance tasks (such as lubrication and adjustment) are observed. This simple monitoring will make a significant difference when it comes to reducing the damage of crane components, limiting sudden work stoppages, and maintaining the performance of the equipment.
Work With a Reputable Crane Hire Company
Looking after a crane is a big job and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. For this reason, it is highly recommended that you work with a reputable crane hire company that hasthe tools and expertise to perform thorough maintenance practices.
Opting for a tower crane rental means that the responsibility of continually maintaining you crane is shifted from you to the crane rental company. This, in turn, provides you and your workers with a lot more peace of mind and a lot less obligation. Doing so also gives you more time and headspace to focus on the things that really matter – like getting the construction project completed on time.
What do you think about crane maintenance? Do you have any tips and tricks? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
AUTHOR BIO
Hermann Buchberger is the Founder and CEO of Active Crane Hire (ACH). He’s taken the company from start-up to Industry Leader offering the largest fleet of construction cranes in Australia. ACH launched a new type of crane previously unheard of in the Australian market: electric tower cranes. The company’s infrastructure and associated services now comprise a fleet of trucks and trailers, a crane-rigging team, mobile crane technicians, a fleet of service vehicles, and an extensive range of crane spare parts.