January 2021

Written By Cameron Garrison

Lets Talk Cranes

Its a new year and with it will come many challenges for the tower crane industry. We currently are experiencing winter conditions, and as such we operators should be treating these machines properly to facilitate their survival.

  • Remember to adhere to your maintenance schedule. Although the weather is awful, we need to still fully inspect the cranes and lubricate all moving components in accordance to your cranes specific maintenance schedule.

  • If your cab is cold, keep in mind its your responsibility to keep the cab warm. Speak to your supervisor if required about getting enough heaters for your cab. Not only is the warmth for your own personal comfort, but its for the well being of the machine. Keeping the cab warm and dry helps the electrical controls survive. Moisture will corrode contactors and effect the longevity of the machine.

Pro Tip for apprentice operators:

When leaving your crane weathervaning at the end of your shift, if possible, try not to leave your hoist or your trolley all the way into its final mechanical limits. Try hoisting up into your limit and then hoisting down a foot or two. Try trolleying into your final limit and then trolleying out a foot or two. In some older cranes, the limit switches have a tendency to freeze up in these winter conditions. By not leaving your crane in the the limit will give you a greater chance of your crane working again in the morning. No matter what, always test your mechanical limits. DO NOT RELY ON YOUR LIMITS.

As always, everyone keep your logbooks up to date. Fill them with pertinent information. Crane equipment owners see right thru the classic “check mark” extravaganza.

Be safe everyone, and let 2021 be a productive year for our industry.

Thanks for you time!

Going Above

Cameron Garrison

Cameron Garrison