What You Should Inspect Before You Buy Industrial Cranes
Any drivable vehicle should go through a rigorous inspection before you buy it. The same holds true for industrial cranes. This is a piece of construction equipment that is a major expense, and you want to be sure it will function properly for a long time to come. Here is what you need to inspect before you buy an industrial crane.
Inspect the Controls
The controls should shift easily. There should be no slippage from one gear or position to the next. The controls should also effectively control the parts of the crane they are meant to control. The crane should be able to move 360 degrees in a circle, and raise and lower with no problems whatsoever. Additionally, there should be no squeaking, squealing, or grinding sounds accompanying the controls as they are moved.
Inspect the Crawler Tracks (If Applicable)
If you are planning to buy a crane on crawler tracks, be sure to investigate the tracks as well. Crawler tracks are notorious for slipping off or breaking when the hit something especially hard or get stuck several inches down in mud. The rotating wheels that keep the tracks going in a loop need to be examined as well. If even one of these wheels is damaged, the tracks will not function properly, and then your tracks will jam or break.
Check "under the Hood"
As with any engine-driven vehicle, you absolutely have to inspect the engine before you buy the vehicle. All heavy duty trucks and construction equipment vehicles operate on diesel fuel, so there will be a diesel engine inside. If you are unfamiliar with what to look for in a diesel engine, take a diesel mechanic with you to inspect the crane's engine. It is better to be safe than sorry.
Inspect the Boom Arm and Winch
Finally, it is a crane, so you should inspect that which makes a crane, a crane; the boom arm and winch. Failure rates of boom arms are not something you want to mess with. It costs you time, money, and good employees. Make sure the winch, cable, and hook are all secure and fully functional. Check the boom arm for loose bolts and nuts. Nothing should be loose except the swinging hook at the end of the cable, and even that should be securely attached to the cable. If absolutely everything passes inspection, buy yourself that new crane and get down to business!
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