When to service your crane
Cranes are very expensive pieces of machinery and can cost a lot to repair if things go wrong. They also can be very dangerous if they are not maintained regularly and serviced. Regularly servicing your cranes helps you keep an eye on the general condition of your equipment and enables you to repair and upkeep them which can avoid a complete breakdown costing thousands of pounds.
But how often do you actually need to service your cranes?
LOLER regulations specify “a program of regular inspections and thorough examinations by a competent person”. But LOLER does not specify crane service frequencies and instead guides that is down to each manufacturer to determine, for each model.
So there is no set in stone frequencies at which you need to service your equipment you must follow the guides set by each manufacturer as a basic rule you should be servicing your cranes either every 6 months for equipment that lift people and every 12 months for equipment that lift goods only.
Posted in Cranes by Jason .
How to pick the right crane
To get the job done safely, efficiently and correctly requires having the right machinery for the job. Choosing a crane that meets your needs means having a think about your upcoming project and asking yourself a few key questions.
How high? The first thing you will need to consider is how high will your crane need to reach. You will also need to consider wind conditions. The higher you are the stronger the wind conditions will be.
How much weight? The weight of the load is another crucial factor that you will need to consider before picking your crane.
Terrain? You need to be certain that your crane will be stable enough to suit the terrain you will be working on.
Access? What king of access do you have to the job? Is it restricted? In a perfect world you would have easy access but this often isn’t the case. You will need to evaluate the access when considering which crane you need.
Posted in Cranes by Jason .
A Brief Guide To Forklift Drum Lifter
A 55-gallon steel drum usually weighs an estimated 44 pounds when it has nothing in it. When filled with oil or another substance, the weight tends to increase up to 500 pounds or even higher. Undoubtedly, that’s far too bulky to be transported by workers using a piece of manual equipment like a hand truck.
With a forklift drum attachment, however, you can lift a full 55-gallon container and transport it to the location it belongs easily and quickly. What’s more, different kinds of forklift drum attachments can be useful in various tasks.
Simplifies the Process of Lifting Heavy Drums
Typically, a drum lifter makes use of a clamp to connect with the drum’s top. Also, the clamp has a sheath attachment, which fits perfectly over the prongs of the forklift, reinforcing the base of the drum and allowing enough lift to move the heavy drum. Usually, standard forklift drum lifters are either available in single-drum or double-drum options.
To release a particular clamp forklift drum lifter, all you have to do is to lower that drum to the ground, then reverse the forklift. Furthermore, clamp forklift drum lifters are available in single and double drum models.
Offering Extra Security
When additional security is required, the third version of the forklift drum lifter is accompanied with a clamp that you can seal all through the drum by using an eccentric lock. Also, a second safety catch assists in insuring against accidental release. However, unlike the other kinds of forklift drum lifters, the model needs the operator to exit the specific car and unsecure the safety lock.
Generally, lifting drums isn’t the only task that can be carried out by a forklift drum lifter. A few models are specifically made to rotate the drum vertically either entirely or partially. It helps tip a drum to remove its contents.
Lifting Less Durable Plastic Drums
It’s is a necessity to incorporate specialized forklift drum lifters whenever plastic barrels are being used. Mostly, these involve optional cradles that can easily be attached to existing forklift drum lifters such that there is no damage caused to the less durable plastic barrel. Most cradles are accompanied by an optional chain combination belly strap that assists in holding the barrel or drum firmly in position.
In short, forklift drum lifters can make the tedious task of moving bulky 55-gallon drums much easier and even more efficient while minimizing the risk of worker accidents or injury.
Posted in Cranes by Jason .
What to Know About Jib Cranes
Choosing the right crane is an important component of getting daily work done right. These cranes are available in many different sizes which suit a variety of workstations and workplaces. This article provides you with a basic overview of a jib crane.
What makes this crane different from others? The jib is set up at an angle with the overhead – or horizontal – part arranged so that it can move along a hoist at an arc to lift and move a variety of materials. The term jib is taken from a type of sail that is found on sailboats. It is a rugged, sturdy mast that stays fixed against the elements and keeps the boat moving ahead steadily.
In a workshop or industrial setting, the crane is often used in small working areas. The crane moves and lifts objects in a repetitive fashion. It is fixed to a vertical support beam which allows the jib to move in full circles or semi-circles.
Industries that use jibs include the automotive industry and the military. Jibs are commonly used to remove and replace vehicle engines in these settings. They can also be used in warehouses to lift and move heavy, bulky packages from a conveyor to a pallet.
Cranes like these can be outfitted with hoists, balancers, and manipulators. These facilitate the movement of the jib and are what control how much it moves and where it moves. The jib can be set to swing and rotate, or it can be set so that it moves in a fixed fashion to lift or drop various items wherever needed in a workplace.
The crane can be installed over a workstation where there are columns or other obstacles, and it can still work unhindered. Jibs can be purchased for industrial use or, as is the case in automobile shops, for commercial use.
One advantage of jib cranes is that they maximize floor space and automate work tasks. They can be freestanding or mounted to a wall or a ceiling to save floor space. They can still allow a safe distance between workers and the crane.
A jib can be used outdoors or indoors. They can be purchased in different sizes which allows for greater lifting power. Choose a model that can lift 100 kg up to 10000 kg or a model that can lift up to 20000 kg. These items are available online from specialty manufacturers at a variety of price points.
Posted in Cranes by Jason .
Why Buy a Used Crane? The Realities of Choosing Second-Hand Lifting Equipment
Buying used cranes can be an excellent business decision, benefitting businesses and construction site managers who make use of lifting equipment on a regular basis. They can offer good value for money in comparison to new cranes if you buy cranes that still have many years left in them – they can perform to a high standard, but will have a lower initial cost for anybody purchasing them. Businesses that are in a position to purchase a crane should buy used cranes online; there will be plenty of choice, lots of crane brands available and enough choice for people wanting a crane that will fulfil lots of different purposes.
If you decide to buy a used crane, then buying online is a good option for you and your business. It will offer you plenty of choice and lots of options for the budget you have to spend – more than you would get if you were only shopping in stores. You can find lots of different kinds of cranes for sale online, including jib cranes, overhead cranes and gantry cranes. Many will not have been used for long before they are resold and they will be a better purchase for a business than a brand new crane.
Why choose a second hand crane?
Second hand cranes are a very realistic option for many construction companies and manufacturing companies. These are some of the reasons why you might choose a second hand crane over a new crane:
- You can get a better price. It is often a lot less expensive to buy a used crane. It’s just like buying a car – lifting equipment and machinery will lose value very quickly once purchased. This means that it will be worth less straight away and you can benefit from this by buying lifting equipment that isn’t brand new. It will still do the same thing and will serve you well long term, but you won’t have to pay such a high price.
- You can find cranes that have been used very little. Buying a used crane doesn’t have to mean buying a crane that is old or needs lots of repairs. It is possible to buy a used crane that is in just as good a condition as a new crane (or very close, anyway). Why would you buy a new crane when you can buy a used one that will be of just as high a quality and will serve your purpose just as well?
- Many suppliers have a wide range of cranes available. If you find a supplier committed to selling second hand lifting equipment, then you can have plenty of choice and find a crane that will meet your needs perfectly. You just need to know which suppliers to contact.
If you are considering buying used cranes, you do of course have to be careful. Check that all services have taken place, that it meets all LOLER and PUWER regulations and that it will fully meet your needs. It will be considerably less to buy, but still won’t be cheap – this is important to bear in mind.
Posted in Cranes by admin .
Do You Need a Machine Mover?
Machine movers are often used in construction, industry or manufacturing, as a way of moving machines and other large heavy loads. They make working practices safer and mean that staff can be used more efficiently – it will take fewer people to move a load, and it will be safer and quicker as well. This benefits everyone, from the people in charge to the workers who are having to move the heavy loads. Using lifting equipment like machine movers can help you to comply with health and safety regulations, decreasing the risk of injuries and accidents in the workplace, as long as the people who are moving machines using these kinds of equipment are adequately trained and are classed as a competent person.
Do you work in a field where a machine mover would be an advantage?
Machine movers can be very beneficial in some industries, but simply might not be needed in others, or might only be used occasionally. These are some of the most common types of lifting processes where machine movers might be used:
- Moving machines and other kinds of manufacturing equipment in factories
- Moving stock in warehouses
- Stacking and loading awkward items
- Heavy process machine lifting
- Lifting containers from shipping
- Moving escalators
There are many other processes that can be carried out as well – these are just some examples of the most common ones.
What is a hydraulic machine mover and what can it actually do?
A machine mover is essentially used to lift and move heavy loads, up to 3,600kg. Hydraulic machine movers come with hydraulic jacks, which help to lift the load up. The machine mover can simply be slid underneath the load to move it into place, or you can lift the load by hand if this is move convenient. Solid polyurethane wheels with ball bearings help to make load transportation easier, and a smoother process. Look out for quality components when buying a hydraulic machine mover.
Contract hire of hydraulic machine movers
If you only need lifting equipment such as machine movers occasionally, then it is possible to hire them on a contract basis. You can hire many kinds of lifting equipment, including cranes and hoists, as and when you need to. The same goes for machine movers – if you only need them occasionally, then this can be the more cost-effective way to do it. You will be able to get the equipment you need, for as long as you need it. Granted, you will probably pay more per hour to hire it in this way, but you won’t have to pay to own the equipment if you aren’t going to actually use it.
There are many companies that hire out lifting equipment to industrial and construction professionals. If you need to hire equipment such as machine movers on a regular basis, it pays to establish relationships with these kinds of companies. They will often be able to sort out equipment hire for you quite last minute, and they might have packages that will prove more cost effective for you.
Posted in Cranes by admin .