Navigating the pitfalls of second-hand, refurbished and preloved overhead cranes: Beware of "Frankenstein's Monster"...
Paul Jordan, Hoist UK
Managing Director @ Hoist UK | Lifting and Handling Equipment
At Hoist UK, we're no strangers to the temptations and pitfalls of customers purchasing second-hand or reconditioned overhead cranes. In fact, within our walls, we often refer to this type of crane as a "Frankenstein's monster", when we see one that hasn't been refurbished well.
Picture this: multiple overhead cranes cobbled together to create what appears to be a new crane. Much like the infamous literary creature pieced together from various body parts, these "Frankenstein's" cranes can be a patchwork of components from different manufacturers, presenting a host of potential issues for unsuspecting buyers.
Don't get me wrong... not all refurbished cranes are a problem, as there are companies who do this well, and there is guidance issued by The Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA) on how to safely refurbish an overhead crane.
In my younger days, I remember the automotive world grappling with a similar phenomenon known as a "cut and shut" car, where the front of one car was welded to the back of another to create a new vehicle. While this practice has largely faded in the automotive industry, its counterpart still exists in the overhead crane world. And let me tell you, purchasing one of these patched-together overhead cranes could spell trouble for buyers, if the refurbishment work hasn't been carried out correctly by a suitably trained and competent person or company.
One of the most concerning aspects of these "Frankenstein's Monster" cranes is the alteration of steelwork elements. Sometimes, structural bridge beam sections are shortened, but even more concerning is when they're lengthened, resulting in beams with joints, which may be weak points in the bridge beam structure. While this might seem like a minor issue, it could lead to alignment problems when the crane geometry is reset in the modification process.
Alignment issues are particularly prevalent, especially if the crane has undergone a span change, as most of the refurbished cranes are altered in this way as its unlikely you will find a crane that is exactly the right span for your building or existing gantry steelwork. This can result in uneven wear and tear, compromising both safety and efficiency.
Availability of legacy parts is also a major problem when purchasing a second hand, refurbished or preloved overhead crane or hoist.
Original Equipment Manufacturer's (OEM) are always updating equipment models, which is essential for them to stay competitive, meet customer needs, comply with regulations, and continuously improve their products.
Normally these OEM's manufacture certain models for a period of between 5 and 15 years, and sometimes more dependant on how popular or ground breaking their product was when originally taken to market.
Manufacturers then normally support these models with legacy spare parts for a period of 5 to 10 years after the model ceased to be a current production model.
Some manufacturers will continue to support their legacy product longer, whilst they have access to tooling, moulds and have the demand for the parts although when tooling or moulds get damaged they are not replaced.
Dependant on their aged second hand or refurbished overhead cranes will need legacy parts such as geared motors, brakes, limit switches, rope guides or some of their more unique components along with cables, and control gear which lead to ongoing maintenance headaches and costly repairs bills, that will seem never ending with expensive legacy parts.
Buying a second-hand, refurbished or preloved crane is akin to purchasing a used car. You might be lucky and find one that provides years of hassle-free operation. However, you also run the risk of inheriting a wide range of problems that end up costing you more in the long run. From downtime to the expense of sourcing and fitting potentially obsolete spare parts or worse still having to have them reengineered, the hidden costs can quickly add up, especially with the labour and access plant needed for this type of repair work.
In conclusion, while the allure of a discounted overhead cranes may be enticing, it's essential to approach the decision with caution. Investing in a new overhead crane or hoist not only offers the assurance of quality and reliability but also ensures that your lifting operations remain safe and efficient for years to come.
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Don't gamble with your equipment - choose wisely, and invest in the future of your business.
At Hoist UK, we understand that navigating the world of lifting equipment can be daunting, especially when considering the complexities of purchasing overhead cranes, hoists and any other lifting equipment. That's why we offer more than just products - we offer expertise and guidance every step of the way.
Our team is dedicated to providing free advice and consultations to help you find the perfect lifting solution for your unique requirements.
But our commitment to excellence doesn't stop there. As proud members of the Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA), we adhere to the highest standards of professionalism, safety, and quality in everything we do. LEEA membership is not just a badge of honour - it's a testament to our unwavering dedication to upholding industry best practices and ensuring the utmost safety and reliability of our products and services.
At the core of our ethos is a relentless pursuit of innovation and improvement.
We strive to push the boundaries of what's possible in the world of lifting equipment, constantly seeking new ways to enhance efficiency, safety, and sustainability. Our goal is not just to meet our customers' needs but to exceed them, delivering solutions that inspire confidence and drive success.
As part of our ongoing commitment to excellence, we're proud to support #GLAD2024 - a global initiative aimed at raising awareness of the importance of safe and sustainable lifting practices. #GLAD2024, or Global Lifting Awareness Day 2024, brings together industry leaders, professionals, and organisations from around the world to promote safety, knowledge sharing, and collaboration in the lifting industry.
So when you choose Hoist UK, you're not just investing in quality lifting equipment - you're partnering with a team of experts who are dedicated to your success. From free consultations to expertise, we're here to support you every step of the way.
Contact us today to discover how we can elevate your lifting solutions to new heights.
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M L Crane Services Ltd
1 年Yesterday i took a inverter from a crane rather than install one. The crane had been fitted with a inverter on a old kone one speed hoist, with no encoder feedback. and it was not running correctly. This was a re used crane that was sold to a customer with a lovely inverter for the hoist.
Director at RHC Lifting Limited
1 年Completely agree Paul I have seen many horror stories including cranes from ex coal industry that run on 690v ac installed in 400v environments, and so called refurbished cranes where the hoist brake lining is worn away completely, paint looked good though!
Managing Director at PTS Lifting LTD
1 年We had a customer years ago who wanted 3 new cranes, we put a price in and they said it was too expensive, we said “you aren’t going to get a cheaper price unless you buy second hand, but we would strongly advise against it”…. Anyways, they ended up ignoring our advice and bought second hand, and the first LOLER inspection we did on them found allsorts of issues, the panels were rusted so badly that the supplier had put gaffa tape over them and painted them blue ?? The hoists were Demag PLV hoists (from the 80s if I remember correctly) - so all of the parts they needed following the servicing/LOLERS/breakdowns were all “Legacy parts” - so very costly. After months of issues, they ended up changing the hoists out, along side full rewires, new C track and panels. A very expensive mistake ??
ACDC Cranes Ltd
1 年Unfortunately people think it’s like buying a second hand car but in many case 3 crane stitched together… Seen many dangerous cut and shuts over the years, not regulated enough and they will always be successful in todays market. ?? buy new or buy twice Great post ??
Electrical Mechanical Crane Engineer
1 年Unfortunately seeing this happen at a big site in Birkenhead, customer getting cranes supplied by another company and because the customer isn't actually getting up to the crane to see they don't know what they are getting ??