Overhead Crane Questions

Q: What equipment comes in an "overhead crane kit?"

Answer: Everything except the big yellow girder. Including:

• Hoist
• End trucks
• Control panel
• Festoon kit
• Gearbox
• Pendant

Q: How hard is it to put one of these crane kits together?

Answer: Not hard at all. Hoosier Crane will provide an assembly manual with every crane and 24 hour support to answer any questions that you may have while assembling the crane kit.

Q: Do I need an electrician to wire the overhead crane kit?

Answer: No. The R&M and Shaw-box crane kits are a "plug and play" system. You literally just have to plug the electrical connections together. Hoosier Crane would recommend an electrician if you do not feel comfortable making the plug connections or installing the incoming power to the crane.

Q: What if I have a special request for a crane kit and can't fully explain it on the Request For Quote Page?

Answer: We know that there are a lot of variations when selecting a crane so feel free to give us a call and talk to one of our crane kit specialist. It is a Toll Free number (800) 509-6131.

Q: How do I know if I need a top running or under running crane?

Answer: Top running cranes take up more space and require support columns for their runway and can facilitate loads up to 80 tons. Under running cranes are good for 2-15 ton capacities and do not need support columns because they are supported by the building. They take up less space and work well for push cranes.

Q: When is the best time to schedule a service call for my equipment?

Answer: To minimize interference with your production and to be able to anticipate a service call, the best option is to schedule a monthly service date. This way you have a concrete date on which we can inspect your equipment every month and you can plan accordingly.

Q: What voltage options are available with your cranes?

Answer: 208, 230, 460, 480, 575

Q: Can you assemble my overhead crane?

Answer: Hoosier Crane can install and assemble your overhead crane or can ship it to you for your own installation.

Q: Do you offer a radio control option for my overhead crane?

Answer: Yes, click here to learn more about it.

Q: What is your maximum bridge span length that you can manufacture?

Answer: Hoosier Crane can create as wide a span length as needed for your overhead crane.

Q: Why do I have to have my overhead cranes and hoists inspected?

Answer:

Increased Human Safety: Having your "Frequent" and "Periodic" Inspections completed on a regular basis will most definitely provide a safer and more productive environment for your employees. Hoosier Crane meets or exceeds the ASME B30, OSHA, NEC and other specified requirements for crane inspections.

It is a Requirement: OSHA 1910.179 requires both a "Frequent" and "Periodic" Inspection be done on your crane and hoist equipment. OSHA will also incorporate by reference the ASME, ANSI, NEC and other industry standards.

Liability: Inspections performed by a trained and qualified inspector will reduce your exposure to accidents and equipment failures. Can you afford the legal fees and insurance premiums if someone gets hurt and 1.) the inspections were never performed and/or 2.) the inspections were performed by someone that was not qualified to do the inspections correctly?

Equipment Reliability: If you are performing inspections "Frequently" and "Periodically" your equipment will undoubtedly break down less and also insure increased productivity. As noted in a study of the Process Industry, "You can expect a reduction between 60%-95% of your crane and hoist safety related defects in the first year if you have your overhead cranes and hoists inspected regularly." Hoosier Crane utilizes a predictive maintenance type inspection program that will substantially increase the reliability of your equipment.

Q: How often do I need to have my overhead crane inspected?

Answer: OSHA 1910.179 breaks the inspections into two categories. "Frequent" & "Periodic"

Frequent Inspections: Daily to monthly intervals. (Visual and Operational Type)

• Hooks, Hoist Chains, Wire Ropes and all functional operating mechanisms for
  maladjustment need to be checked daily. This is normally performed by the
  operator.
• The Hooks, Hoist Chains and Wire Ropes need to also be more thoroughly
  inspected and documented on a monthly basis.

Periodic Inspections: Monthly to yearly intervals.(Complete Visual & Operational Type)

• Normal service - annually
• Heavy service - semi-annually (Heavy service is use at 80 to 100% of rated load or in
  excess of 10 lift cycles per hour as a normal procedure.)
• Severe service - quarterly (Severe service is use at normal and/or heavy use in an
  abnormal environment such as high or low ambient temperatures, exposure to adverse
  weather, corrosive fumes, dust or moisture laden atmospheres, & hazardous environments
• A designated and qualified person shall determine whether conditions found during
  the inspection constitute a hazard and whether disassembly is required for
  additional inspection.

Q: What are the qualifications to inspect over head cranes and hoists?

Answer: A Crane Inspector is any person engaging in the testing, examination, and/or inspection of cranes, including, top running types, under running types, single girder or double girder types and the hoisting equipment associated with the cranes.

Now the Qualifications.

Experience: A crane inspector, according to CMAA, shall have at least 2,000 field hours of experience directly related to the maintenance, servicing, repairing, modifying and functional testing of cranes and the hoist equipment. CMAA also notes that under no circumstances should an individual be permitted to perform inspections who has not received appropriate training and does not have knowledge of the applicable codes and regulations of the equipment to be inspected.

Required Training: The inspector should have formal training in the areas of: safety and design codes that are related to overhead cranes; Federal, State and local codes and standards; safe operating practices of cranes and hoists; understanding of how to write a report and documentation procedures; and understand the crane and hoist terminology to better communicate.

The words "should" and "shall" are used throughout the codes and standards. The
inspector shall receive training to understand the meaning of these words and be
able to accurately explain if a corrective action is mandatory (shall) or is voluntary
(should).

Q: What does the standard say about load testing my overhead cranes?

Answer:

ANSI B30.11 requires the following:

11-2.2.2 Rated Load Test: (a) Prior to initial use, all new, extensively repaired, and altered equipment shall be tested and inspected by, or under the direction of, an appointed or authorized person, and a written report should be furnished by such person, confirming the load rating of the system. The load rating should no be more than 80% of the maximum load sustained during the test.

OSHA 1910.179 Paragraph K2 states the following:

Rated load test: Test loads shall not be more than 125% of the rated load unless otherwise recommended by the manufacturer. The test reports shall be placed on file where readily available to appointed personnel.

Hoist Questions

Q: What are the hoist warranty policies?

Answer: Below are some links to the manufacturer's warranty policies.

Q: Being a new hoist operator I am not sure (and have not been told yet) what I should or should not be doing while operating the hoist. Can you help?

Answer: Click Here for all of the DO's and DON'T's of hoist operation

Q: How often should I lubricate my chain hoist?

Answer: Always refer to your operator manual for the correct lubrication schedule. Once a week under normal conditions is about the average time frame. But remember, if your hoist needs warranty repair and the damage is caused by an unlubricated chain, your hoist warranty will be voided.

Q: When I call for service on my hoist, what information should I have ready?

Answer: Please have these items ready:

• Hoist model number
• Serial number
• Voltage

Q: When should I test my hoist?

Answer: Any hoist new, used, or repaired, that has gone 12 months without use should be tested with both no load, regular load, and maximum load.