A UK cable supplier requests refurbishment of overhead cranes

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Refurbishing an overhead crane is a complex job that requires more effort than designing and building a new crane, but can provide significant savings in the budget. We do not actually provide customers with crane refurbishment business. We will evaluate the feasibility of a crane refurbishment plan based on the information provided by the customer, provide customers with new design solutions if necessary, and provide spare parts for parts that need to be replaced. This case is about the renovation of a bridge crane by a British cable supplier. They mentioned that the history of this crane can be traced back to the 1950s. The refurbishment work was provided by a local crane supplier. We learn from their work experience and strive to improve our understanding of crane applications in different fields. If someone wants to renovate an overhead crane, this article can also be a reference for you to learn the corresponding knowledge.

What does it take to renovate an overhead crane?

Although the crane is very old, the cable manufacturer still has a glimmer of hope in refurbishing the crane. They consulted a local crane supplier to assess whether the crane was reusable and suitable for lifting and handling large drums. Cables The building itself has been damaged over the years and all electrical wiring and power supplies have been removed.

While the crane was being inspected in detail, the crane supplier hired a large generator, installed some temporary controls and powered the crane so they could determine which parts were working properly and which parts were not working satisfactorily. As expected, a complete refurbishment of the crane was necessary due to severe damage to all parts from years of inactivity. However, the bridge and supporting gantry rails are still intact.

In this case, the customer needed to replace the hoist, so the company purchased a completely new crane unit from the supplier.

The supplier designed and built a new hoisting trolley unit to fit the existing non-standard gauge and accommodate the new hoisting unit within strict headroom restrictions.

The supplier also manufactures replacement end carriages in specific sizes and specifications that are ideal for retrofit cranes and their loads and tasks. A large hire forklift was used to remove the old crab lifting unit, then the crane bridge itself was removed and placed on suitable supports on the floor to facilitate the operation. The old end carriages were removed from the bridge, new carriages were installed, and the crane bridge was lifted back onto the crane tracks. The new hoist crab unit complete with the new hoist was then lifted up and placed on to the crane bridge beam rails.

The supplier fabricated and installed a brand new control panel and replaced all old cables with new ones. A new cross crane cable streamer supply system and a new workshop protective conductor bar supply system were also installed.

At the same time, new power supplies were installed on buildings and cranes. When the supplier's engineers are fully satisfied that all crane refurbishment work has been completed correctly and to the required industry and safety standards, the crane has been fully refurbished in compliance with the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) Tested and certified for safe use.

The cable supplier now has a fully refurbished, high-quality crane that is every bit as good as a new crane but costs a whopping 25% less.

What we learned from this case

Although we do not provide crane refurbishment business, this does not prevent us from distilling some experience from the perspective of a bystander. For customers who want to renovate their cranes, we can help point out some preparations to facilitate the subsequent renovation work. If you are interested in this content, we have roughly summarized the following points:

Equipment Assessment: Conduct a comprehensive equipment assessment of the overhead crane to understand its current condition, existing problems and parts that need refurbishment. This includes the evaluation of various aspects such as mechanical structure, electrical system, control system, etc.
Renovation plan: Based on the equipment evaluation results, develop a detailed renovation plan. The renovation plan should include the objectives of the renovation, the steps to be taken, the time required, the resources required, etc.
Budget: Develop a detailed budget based on your renovation plan. The budget should include all costs required for the renovation such as labor costs, material costs, equipment costs, etc.
Safety measures: During the renovation process, the safety of workers must be ensured. Therefore, detailed safety measures need to be developed, such as wearing protective equipment and setting up warning signs.
Permits and Regulations: During the renovation process, you need to ensure that all relevant permits and regulations are followed. This includes environmental regulations, safety regulations, equipment operating regulations, etc.
Supplier Selection: Select reliable suppliers to ensure the quality of materials, equipment and services required for renovation.
Project Management: Establish an effective project management team to ensure the smooth implementation of the renovation plan. The project management team should be responsible for monitoring progress, ensuring quality, managing risks, etc.

The above are just some basic preparations and investigations for overhead crane refurbishment. Specific steps may vary depending on equipment conditions, renovation goals, and other factors. During the renovation process, it is recommended to work with professional engineers or technicians to ensure the quality and safety of the renovation.