In our previous post, we explained that the service life of cranes is determined by standard service classes, and that, based on experience, an industrial crane used for medium-intensity work typically 20–30 years It has a service life. In light-duty applications, this can be as long as 30–40 years, but in heavy-duty applications it is reduced to 15–20 years.
Let’s now look at what determines, in day-to-day practice, whether a crane remains in service for a shorter or longer period than planned, and what can be done the operator, to ensure that their equipment continues to operate safely for as long as possible.
Capacity utilisation
The greatest, and often overlooked, risk arises when a crane is used more intensively, with heavier loads or for more lifting operations cycle are operated beyond the capacity for which they were designed based on their group number. A crane designed for medium-duty use, when operated continuously at a heavy-duty industrial pace, will reach the end of its fatigue life much sooner than intended.
When purchasing a new crane, therefore It is crucial that the actual and anticipated operational load is accurately assessed, and ensure that they are sized not just for current demand, but for their intended service life.
Regular maintenance and inspection
The service life of cranes is essentially determined by regular, professional maintenance and the carrying out of the prescribed periodic inspections. Daily visual inspections, the timely replacement of wear parts and a properly maintained crane logbook all contribute to, that the errors are identified before they develop into more serious problems, which could even affect the structure. In our experience, a neglected crane reaches the end of its economic service life much sooner than one of the same age that is regularly inspected.
Surface protection and environmental impacts
A corrosion one of the greatest, yet often underestimated, threats to the service life of cranes. On a steel structure that has not been properly prepared and protected, Over the years, rust can seriously weaken load-bearing components. That is why the long-lasting surface protection, such as metal-free surface preparation achieved by shot blasting, or the hot-dip galvanising, as this lays the foundations for the crane’s service life. This is particularly true of equipment operating in outdoor, humid or chemically contaminated industrial environments.
The role of the machine operator and the timing of the refurbishment
The service life is also significantly influenced by the crane operator’s work: it makes a big difference whether they adhere to the permitted load and handle the crane with care – that is, whether they avoid sudden starts, braking and pulling the load at an angle.
And when a crane is nearing the end of its design service life, it is worth considering a full refurbishment in good time. This is typically much cheaper than purchasing new equipment and, provided a proper condition assessment is carried out, can extend its safe operational life for several more years.
The Eco-Cranes approach
At Eco-Cranes, we maintain cranes and hoists and carry out their mandatory periodic inspections, ensuring that faults are detected in good time and that the equipment can operate safely for many years to come.
If you would like to assess which stage of its service life your equipment is at, please do not hesitate to contact us: +36-27-360823
Our experts will help you find the best solution.
