What About Refurbishing A 1950s Bridge Crane?

 First of all, I would like to emphasize that so far we have not provided customers with the business of refurbishing cranes. We can provide new design solutions for customers in need, retaining usable parts such as main beams and replacing outdated parts such as trolleys and hoists. The case explained this time comes from a cable manufacturer in the UK, and the renovation project was completed by a local crane supplier. We hope that by explaining some crane cases, we can enhance the understanding between customers and us, help customers improve their understanding of cranes, and at the same time help us accumulate more experience. This refurbished bridge crane may date back to the 1950s.

Can cranes from the 1950s still be refurbished?

The cable manufacturer was also full of doubts about whether the crane from the 1950s was still worth refurbishing. They consulted a local crane supplier to evaluate whether the crane could be reused and suitable for lifting and handling large rolls. cable. The building itself was vandalized over the years and all electrical wiring and power supplies were 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 preparations and investigations are needed for bridge crane renovation

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.

What About Refurbishing A 1950s Bridge Crane?