Prolong Your Crane’s Life with Regular Inspections

The longevity of a crane hinges on several key factors: its build quality, the expertise of its operators, implemented safety measures, operational durations, working conditions, types of loads, cleanliness, and routine maintenance.

Inspections
Determining the end of a crane’s useful life involves critical safety and economic considerations. It’s essential to replace a crane if it can’t be maintained safely or if repair costs outweigh replacement expenses. Inspections should focus on identifying damage signs such as:
- Corrosion due to inadequate maintenance
- Fabrication defects like incomplete welds or temporary support welds left in place
- Unauthorized modifications, including improper welds, holes in stress-prone areas, missing bolts, or low-quality bolts
Trust Service Crane Company for your crane inspections. Our experienced team provides thorough, unbiased evaluations to ensure your equipment operates safely and efficiently, helping you maximize your investment and maintain operational integrity.
Consider the Age of the Crane
The Crane Manufacturers’ Association of America (CMAA) classifies cranes from A (light duty) to E (extreme duty). In the U.S., with appropriate usage and upkeep, cranes typically last between 20 to 30 years, while some have made it past 40 years.

Overhead cranes are often designed for specific tasks, which dictate their size, strength, durability, and configuration. Their components endure immense stress from repeated heavy lifting, and any emerging cracks can rapidly become critical quickly, with the risk of failure increasing as the crane ages.

For overhead cranes with structurally sound frameworks, options include: Comprehensive overhauls, modernizations, or trolley replacements. If operational needs have increased duty or capacity requirements, or if the crane’s design life is nearly exhausted, investing in a new crane might be the most cost-effective solution.
Extending the Life of Your Crane
- Ensure all crane operators receive proper training
- Engage an unbiased third party for crane inspections
- Conduct regular maintenance
- Install safety devices
- Implement and maintain a robust safety program

Service Crane Company offers a variety of crane and hoist inspection options to meet your individual needs. Whether it is a basic frequent or periodic inspection or a complete inspection and preventative maintenance program, Service Crane has an experienced inspection team to get the job done. By investing in regular inspections, you’re not just maintaining your equipment—you’re safeguarding your business’s future.