An overhead crane that is out of alignment and skewing as it travels down the runway can cause significant stress and damage to the entire crane system. The problem with a crane that isn’t tracking properly is that, over time, forces that weren’t accounted for in the design and installation of the overhead crane cause stresses to the runway beams themselves and also to the tie-backs or building support structures.
These types of stresses can result in:
- Costly repairs and replacement of parts
- Accidents
- Crane failure or derailment
- Equipment downtime and productivity loss
A crane that isn’t tracking properly also causes extensive wear to the wheels, wheel bearings, and wheel flanges—as well as premature wear to the motor drives and other equipment.
There are certain signs that your crane may not be aligned properly and is skewing as it moves down the runway. When your crane is in operation, be aware of the following:
- Loud scraping sounds
- Broken or cracked wheel flanges
- Abnormal wear on the wheels, wheel bearings, and rails
- Extra power required to move the crane through certain areas of the runway
- Wheels that float or climb over the rail and then crash down
The best way to prevent overhead crane skew and alignment issues is to have your crane regularly inspected by a reputable third-party service provider. A crane service provider can survey your crane rails and runway systems to identify and correct any issues before they become bigger problems.
– Overhead Crane Solutions Inc.
