How to do a thorough crawler crane inspection?

In the process of operation, the crawler crane may fail to meet the designed safety requirements due to the wear, corrosion and damage caused by external force, or change in working environment/application conditions. Thus, the crane inspection work must be conducted by experienced technicians according to the change in working environment/application conditions at least once a year since the date of delivery. The crane machine which is subject to major modification or repair of dynamic load bearing part must also be checked by professional technicians before delivery, also part of crawler crane inspection work.

The crane operator is responsible to conduct the crane inspection regularly in accordance with the applicable national and international regulations, which comprise checking the actual data of machine against the data listed on the checking guide, checking the parts and equipment for damage, wear, corrosion or other abnormity and checking the integrity and efficiency of safety devices and brake according to the guide.  

In addition, visually crane inspections of the vital parts as listed in the following should be conducted every day before running:

1) Slewing ring – check the gear tooth and gear ring for poor lubrication. 2) Check the lubricating oil film of steel wire rope and the rope for damage. 3) Check the hydraulic system for leakage and damage; check the oil level in hydraulic system. 4) Check the engine hood for missing part, damage, and loose/missing bolt. The safety sign must be visible and complete. 5) Check the engine for oil leakage; check if the fuel is dirty or contaminated; and check the fuel level. 6) Check the cooling system for leakage, damage, or contamination. 7) Check all instruments and indicators for abnormity and damage. 8) Check the tension mechanism for damage in guide wheel and incorrect tension of crawler. 9) Check the traveling driving device for oil leakage.10) Use safety devices to check all booms and their connecting pins for damage.

These are necessary crane inspection work. Through the inspection course, the potential hazards may be found in time and accidents may be avoided. Once the professional technicians/experts have found any hazards, they should file and rectify the defective parts before inspection. The results must be noted in the inspection guide and verified again by the inspector after finishing the maintenance work.