Maintenance

Complete guide to knuckle boom and articulating crane inspection covering ASME B30.22 requirements, folding mechanism inspection, cylinder pin wear, stability analysis, and remote control system testing.

Complete guide to crane fleet management and preventive maintenance programs. Learn PM scheduling intervals, component lifecycle tracking, fleet utilization optimization, and how to build a compliance-ready maintenance program.

Guide to crane operations in extreme heat covering heat effects on crane steel and hydraulics, operator heat illness prevention, OSHA heat guidelines, load chart considerations, and fluid management.

Complete guide to crane electrical system inspection covering limit switches, anti-two-block devices, load moment indicators (LMI), rated capacity indicators (RCI), pendant controls, and grounding requirements.

Cold weather creates hidden crane hazards — brittle steel fractures, hydraulic sluggishness, ice loading, and reduced operator dexterity. Learn temperature limits, warm-up procedures, and winter inspection protocols.

Hydraulic system failures cause catastrophic crane incidents. Learn how to inspect cylinders, hoses, pumps, filters, and fluid — plus oil analysis techniques that predict failures before they happen.

Lattice boom cranes require specialized inspection procedures that differ significantly from hydraulic telescopic cranes. Complete inspection guide covering boom sections, pins, lacings, pendants, and structural connections.

OSHA 1926.1417 has specific maintenance documentation requirements that most crane companies overlook — until an auditor or a plaintiff's attorney comes looking.

Complete jib crane inspection checklist covering wall-mounted, freestanding, and mast-type jib cranes, ASME B30.11, OSHA 1910.179, rotation bearings, foundation bolts, boom stops, and annual vs frequent inspections.

Complete guide to crane weathervaning and out-of-service procedures covering tower crane free-slewing, mobile crane securing, boom lowering thresholds, out-of-service wind speeds, storm preparation checklists, and post-storm inspection requirements.

Complete guide to crane counterweight inspection covering weight verification procedures, mounting bolt inspection, configuration charts, aftermarket counterweight risks, transport and installation safety, and ASME B30.5 requirements.

Complete guide to tire and wheel inspection for mobile cranes including tread depth requirements, sidewall damage criteria, tire pressure monitoring, wheel hub and lug inspection, inflation safety, and load capacity ratings.

Comprehensive guide to crane hydraulic system component inspection covering hose condition assessment, cylinder inspection criteria, pump wear indicators, valve function testing, fluid contamination analysis, and hydraulic system failure prevention.

Complete guide to overhead crane end truck and wheel inspection covering wheel flange wear measurement, tread condition assessment, bearing inspection, axle alignment, rail contact patterns, and end truck structural evaluation per ASME B30.2 and OSHA requirements.

Complete guide to crane structural weld inspection covering AWS D14.1 quality criteria, visual inspection (VT), magnetic particle testing (MT), ultrasonic testing (UT), liquid penetrant testing (PT), critical weld locations, crack types, and repair procedures.

Complete guide to crane rope drum and winch inspection covering drum groove wear patterns, fleet angle measurement, lagging inspection, clutch engagement criteria, winch brake holding tests, and ASME B30.5-5.2.3 requirements.

Complete guide to overhead crane festoon and conductor bar inspection covering festoon cable systems vs conductor bars, collector shoe wear, insulator inspection, ground fault detection, NEC/NFPA 70 Article 610, and ASME B30.2 electrification requirements.

Complete guide to crane sheave and pulley inspection covering groove wear criteria, groove gauge measurement procedures, sheave bearing inspection, fleet angle and alignment, and replacement thresholds per ASME B30.2 and B30.5.

Complete guide to crane hoist brake inspection covering holding brake vs control brake types, visual inspection criteria, load drift testing procedures, brake torque verification, and documentation requirements per ASME B30.2 and OSHA 1910.179.

Complete guide to crane slewing ring and turntable bearing inspection covering bearing types, bolt torque verification, axial and radial play measurement, lubrication inspection, gear tooth wear, and signs of impending bearing failure.

Complete guide to crane lockout/tagout procedures covering OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147 requirements, hazardous energy types on cranes, step-by-step LOTO procedures, group lockout considerations, and annual procedure review requirements.

Complete guide to crane duty cycle and service classification covering CMAA Class A through F ratings, FEM classification groups, how duty cycle affects component fatigue and inspection frequency, and documentation requirements.

Complete guide to fixed crane anchor bolt and foundation inspection covering foundation types, bolt torque verification, concrete crack assessment, embedded plate inspection, drainage considerations, and engineering review triggers.

Complete guide to crane gearbox and drivetrain inspection covering hoist gear reducers, travel drives, swing machinery, oil analysis, wear indicators, and ASME B30 inspection criteria.

Complete guide to crane corrosion inspection covering salt air damage, chemical exposure, galvanic corrosion, coating systems, structural thickness measurement, and corrosion management programs for cranes in harsh environments.

Complete guide to crane bearing, bushing, and pin inspection covering boom pivot pins, sheave bearings, swing bearings, wear measurement techniques, lubrication assessment, and replacement criteria for crane wear components.