Cranes, forklift trucks and other lifting equipment require full maintenance and servicing at specified intervals. This is supplemented by daily checks, which must be carried out by operators before each use. Regular maintenance not only keeps machines in top condition, but also helps to reduce the risks involved in lifting loads.
The maintenance of lifting equipment is a rather broad concept. In fact, the frequency and type of servicing required may vary from one machine to another.
A maintenance covers everything from regular cleaning to testing safety features and replacing damaged parts.
Regular and thorough maintenance prolongs the life of your machines and reduces the risk of threats and the chances of accidents occurring. But there are other benefits too.
The benefits of maintenance
Whether it's safety or the reliability of the machines, regular checks and timely repairs by the right professionals can only be beneficial. The most efficient firms manage to incorporate the above services in their daily operations.
- Enhanced security
As lifting machinery can easily cause serious injuries, it is vital to maximise the safety of operators and other people working in the lifting area. Regardless of what is being lifted or loaded, a malfunction can endanger bystanders. With proper maintenance, unnecessary hazards can be avoided.
- Greater productivity
The constant breakdowns and downtime of machinery also reduce the overall productivity of the company. In contrast lifts in good working order and in good condition are in continuous operation and ensure a return on investment. When the success of a project depends on machines that are in working order, regular maintenance is key.
- Maximum lifetime
Regular inspection and maintenance helps to identify problems before they occur. This saves money that can be spent on more expensive repairs and ensures that you get the most out of your lifts over their lifetime. Regular maintenance is much less expensive than a major repair or replacement following a breakdown.
- Higher resale value
Not all companies maintain a lifting machine for its entire lifetime, and many choose to sell it after a few years of use. A well maintained crane or hoist is worth much more when resold, as a battered, neglected specimen. Regular maintenance can therefore pay for itself when the device is replaced.
Frequency of maintenance
While the safety features of lifting equipment require daily checks, some internal components only require maintenance every quarter. The exact maintenance and service cycle is set by standards and manufacturers' recommendations, but there are some basic points of alignment beyond these:
- Age of the machine
A 5-year-old machine will of course require more frequent checks than a newly purchased one.
- Service history
If a part of the lifting equipment has failed several times, it should be given special attention during regular maintenance.
- Working conditions
Some projects pose a greater risk to machines than others. A machine working in an enclosed, heated space is likely to have lower stress levels than another hoist used in poorer conditions.
Leave it to the professionals!
By following the maintenance cycle, you can not only reduce the risk of accidents, but also easily extend the life of your lifting equipment and slow down its depreciation. However, this requires well-trained and qualified professionals and quality, spare parts must be available at all times.
Eco Cranes Ltd. takes these burdens off the shoulders of its partners: after hours, we are also available on-call to ensure that our trained service technicians can repair minor or major faults in the shortest possible time, preferably on site, and minimise machine downtime.
