If you were to buy a crane, perhaps you’d spend several hundreds of thousands of dollars– they’re not cheap! Of course, there is the option to rent cranes from companies like Astro Crane of New England. That’s a good way to utilize the crane for what you need when you need it, but not worry about storing it, insuring it and maintaining it, etc.

Now if you do rent a crane from a company like Astro Crane, you’ll want to take good care of it. After all, it needs to do its job properly, and if it’s treated badly, it’s not going to perform as intended. Then you’re out both time and money and that’s not good. So, what are some things to keep in mind when maintaining a construction crane?

Maintenance matters because a well-maintained crane is a safer crane than one that’s neglected. 

It’s important to look over a crane, whether you own or rent it, and make sure it’s in good working order before you put it to actual work.

Proper Alignment

For starters, check to ensure proper alignment. You don’t want your crane leaning to one side too much, which puts too much tension on the machine. A misaligned crane is a disaster waiting to happen!

Connections in Optimal Shape  

Next, chains and connections on cranes need to be durable and in good shape. If you notice serious wear, along with rust or certain damages, that’s not good– you want to make sure your crane has both chains and connections that aren’t in danger of breaking or falling apart. 

Hooks for Heavy Loads

Thirdly, the hook is important when lifting heavy loads, right? Make sure it’s intact! If there are bends or cracks in the hook, don’t use it– replace it or have it replaced. 

Hydraulic Systems

Also, check the air and hydraulic systems daily to ensure they’re working as expected. One leak and you have issues and you don’t want problems. 

Replacing Truck Wheels

Finally, when maintaining construction cranes it’s important to replace the truck wheels when they’re seriously worn out and could pose a hazard. There’s indeed “a lot riding on those tires” – heavy equipment and large loads and people… So make sure the tires are properly inflated, have good tread, and don’t have leaks, punctures or other damages. 

Are you thinking of renting a construction crane? Call Astro Crane at 978-429-8666 to find out what options are currently available.