Category Archives: Industrial

What Types Of Businesses Use Overhead Cranes?

Integrity Crane and HoistOverhead cranes are a common sight on manufacturing floors across the country. But, many people don’t fully understand this heavy equipment’s full value and utility. We recently sat down with Tennessee-based Integrity Crane and Hoist representatives to learn a little more about overhead crane systems.

Q: What type of applications are an overhead crane and hoist system useful for?

Integrity Crane and Hoist: There are many different reasons that a business might use an overhead crane. They are most often found in industrial settings in an assembly line, transportation department, warehouse, loading and unloading dock, or packaging station. They can be located in a single spot or designed to move about the building. 

Q: Which industries most often use an overhead crane and hoist system?

Integrity Crane and Hoist: Manufacturing, construction, steel mills, distribution, mining, food processing, gas and petroleum, beverage plants, and automotive plants are the most common. In a manufacturing environment, a crane moves large and cumbersome pieces from one department or location to another. In construction, you might see an overhead crane lifting beams as a building goes erect. For mining, an overhead crane and hoist would be used to transport gravel, coal, ore, or other material from the mine or mining equipment to another location. Beverage and automotive plants deal with heavy materials and supplies. Instead of utilizing manpower, these types of businesses use cranes.

Q: What is the primary purpose of using a crane?

Integrity Crane and Hoist: Safety is the number one reason that businesses use cranes. However, they also create a more efficient work environment, and cranes can free up floor space from large items and materials being transported through a warehouse.

Q: What are some common bits of terminology that someone new to the manufacturing or construction industry might need to know about overhead cranes?

Integrity Crane and Hoist: Overhead crane and hoist systems are built of many different components, including the girder, end truck, and trolley. You might also hear terms, such as axial load, drag brake, running speed, and span, thrown around in any of these settings. Our best advice for anyone thinking about a career in an industry that utilizes a crane and hoist system is to ask lots of questions and, if possible, receive professional training on the equipment.

For more information about Integrity Crane and Hoist, visit the company online at Integrity-Crane.com.

Integrity Crane And Hoist Answers Questions About The Overhead Crane Inspection Process

Integrity Crane and HoistWhile companies using cranes for years are fairly well-versed in their upkeep and maintenance, Integrity Crane And Hoist says that it takes time to fully get up to speed on the process. Many new crane owners are not, and they have lots of questions. Today, the experts from ICH answered a few of these for the absolute beginner.

Q: Why should I have an overhead crane inspection?

Integrity Crane And Hoist: Safety is the obvious first answer, but another important reason: it’s required. OSHA mandates that all in-service crane and hoist systems be inspected at least once each year. This is because everyday wear and tear can have a significant impact on components, many of which you can’t see with just a casual visual inspection. Failure of any of these parts puts your team at risk and can lead to expensive lawsuits as well as reputation damage for your company.

Q: Who should perform these inspections?

Integrity Crane And Hoist: All crane inspectors, according to the Crane Manufacturers Association of America, must have no less than 2000 hours of hands-on, direct experience in the repair, maintenance, service, and modification of cranes and hoists. Anyone performing an overhead crane inspection must also be trained in local, state, and federal codes, documentation processes, industry terminology, and safety and design standards.

Q: When is the best time to have my crane and its components inspected?

Integrity Crane And Hoist: Your first overhead crane inspection takes place at installation. OSHA 1910.179 mandates that this equipment is compliant with the provisions put forth in that section. Some machinery also requires a load test. During this, your crane inspector will test your equipment load rating (at no more than 80% of its maximum). All findings during this and subsequent inspections must be logged and signed by the inspector.

Q: Why am I required to perform a visual inspection before each shift?

Integrity Crane And Hoist: A functional test inspection also keeps you in compliance with OSHA standards. This is a visual assessment that looks for maladjustment, leakages, deterioration, excessive wear, distortion, hook deformation, and other issues that would render your equipment potentially dangerous.

Q: What is the difference between a frequent inspection and a periodic inspection?

Integrity Crane And Hoist: Your initial test and daily examinations are not the only types of inspection your machines need. Frequent inspections may happen weekly or monthly, and the frequency of which depends on how you use your equipment and what’s listed on its paperwork. Periodic inspections are also equipment-dependent, but these are typically performed quarterly. Each of these looks for malfunctions, but your periodic inspections go a bit further by testing the electrical components, checking for corrosion, and evaluating the overall condition of the brake system.

If you still have questions, your overhead crane inspection professional at Integrity Crane And Hoist can walk you through the process. Our dedicated staff is fully trained and committed to helping you create a safer working environment for your employees.

Integrity Crane And Hoist is a leader in the material handling industry. With nearly 30 years of experience, our team can handle repairs and testing, maintenance, and upgrades.

How Do You Maintain An Overhead Crane?

Integrity Crane and Hoist
Integrity Crane and Hoist

Having a proactive and customized overhead crane inspection and preventive maintenance program is essential to workplace safety and productivity. This article aims to answer frequently asked questions on overhead crane and hoist inspection, repair, and maintenance.  

Q: Why is it important to have an overhead crane inspection and preventive maintenance plan in place?

A: Having regular inspections and preventive maintenance activities helps identify potential risk areas and reduces downtime while supporting compliance requirements. Moreover, keeping overhead crane and hoist systems safe for daily use is a more cost-efficient option to lawsuits, medical expenses, and the tedious administrative work related to finding a replacement for an injured employee. 

Q: How often should overhead crane and hoist systems be inspected?

A: Routine overhead crane and hoist inspections are a must regardless of their condition because of the work they complete (i.e., lifting loads in varying sizes and weights). There are four inspection categories: Initial, Functional, Frequent, and Periodic.

The initial inspection is conducted after the installation of a new crane or hoist, or after the equipment has been reinstalled after alteration, modification, or repair.

Functional inspections must be done before every shift.

Frequent inspections should include all aspects of the functional inspection, paying extra attention to the hoist brake, wire rope, and load chain. The inspector must be on the lookout for any unusual sounds. The hook and latch must be inspected as well. A crane that operates under “normal service” should be inspected monthly; a crane in “heavy service” should be inspected weekly to monthly, and a crane in “severe service” should be inspected daily to weekly.

Under periodic inspections, cranes used for “normal service” and “heavy service” should be inspected yearly while cranes in “severe service” should be inspected quarterly. 

Q: How do you inspect an overhead crane?

A: Check crane and hoist components for signs of malfunction, deterioration, and everyday wear and tear. Functional operating mechanisms, hydraulic and air system components, and crane hooks must be inspected daily, before starting each shift.

  • Functional operating mechanisms – Check for maladjustment
  • Hydraulic and air system components – Inspect valves, lines, tanks, drain pumps, and other components for deterioration or deficiency
  • Crane hooks – Check for cracks and signs of deformation.

Inspect rope and end connections as well as hoist chains and end connections every month.

  • Rope and end connections –  Check broken strands or signs of wear and tear
  • Hoist chains and end connections – Are there signs of distortion or anything else that might hinder it from functioning properly?

All findings must be documented in detail so you can have an accurate record of the overhead crane’s maintenance history.

Q: What’s the difference between corrective and preventive maintenance? 

A: Corrective maintenance is done when there is equipment failure or malfunction. Examples of corrective maintenance procedures include retrofits and customizations.

Preventive maintenance, on the other hand, involves taking the necessary precautions to prevent accidents or equipment failures even before these happen.  

You’ll need to do both at some point. Integrity Crane and Hoist recommends having a highly trained team of professionals to complete these tasks.

Working out of Columbia, Tennessee, Integrity Crane and Hoist is a full-service overhead crane and hoisting equipment company that designs, engineers, manufactures, installs, modifies, modernizes, and load tests industrial bridge cranes, gantry cranes, ergonomic workstations, runway systems, monorails, power systems, and control panels. They also perform inspections, repairs, and preventative maintenance for all types and brands of cranes, hoists, vacuum filters, and below-the-hook lifting devices. Get in touch today to learn more.

Call Integrity Crane and Hoist at (615) 302-3431 for more information.