Outdoor Cranes for Sale, Types of Outdoor Cranes for Material Handling
Overhead Crane, Gantry & Jib Crane for Outdoor Use

All outdoor cranes should have had their equipment and sensitive components designed with the proper Ingress Protection (IP) enclosures and shelters.

Water proof covers for Components

When a crane is used outdoors without a building cover, covers designed to fit over the hoist, hoist motor, end truck motors, and electrical panel are required. Protecting these components from rain, snow, and sunlight extends their service life and provides additional protection against the elements.

In addition, everyone is aware that water and electronics do not mix well. Temperature and moisture both have an impact on a crane's electrical parts. It is crucial that these components can still operate securely in the presence of these factors. The hoist and end truck motors, and other crane parts, are built with characteristics like drain holes, additional insulation, and specific bearings and seals when they are intended for outside operation. Use a cable designed for outdoor use for festooning and other electrical components. Festooning cable made of rubber rather than PVC may have characteristics that make it more suitable for outdoor use. The requirements for electrical components vary depending on where you are. Contact us to get more information.

Corrosion

The possibility of corrosion on crane components increases in sites with salt air, excessive water, and high humidity. More regular lubrication is needed for locations where temperature changes cause moisture or crane corrosion. Cranes that are only occasionally used should undergo more frequent inspections to check for strange noises, proper functioning, and all functional operational mechanisms. A designated person shall evaluate and resolve the results of this inspection so that the crane is kept in safe working condition.

No matter how well-made the paint is, it will eventually rust. In the case that a crane rusts, the following steps can be followed to maintain the product's appearance and functionality:

Anti-corrosion paint - Repair surface procedure

Apply the following process to all nicks and blemishes:

• Areas affected by sand
• Thoroughly clean the area with the prescribed paint prep.
• Apply the appropriate primer in one coat.
• After the primer has dry, use the recommended topcoat paint finish to apply two coats of topcoat.
• The final mil thickness ought to range from 3 to 5.

Additionally, all rotating and lifting (hoist) parts of a crane must be operated through a full rotation each month in order to prevent deterioration whenever it is unattended or unused for a prolonged period (longer than one month).Keep that overhead crane looking as good as the day you bought it!

When wind speeds exceed those advised in the manufacturer's specifications, the gantry cranes and overhead cranes must never be used. Stop all lifting operations if there are severe gusts, and then secure the overhead crane and gantry crane using a wind restraint mechanism.

Wind Force Calculations

A wind force calculation must be done as you collaborate with your crane manufacturer or dealer to build a crane for outdoor operation. You need to take into account the type of weather that passes through your area depending on where you are geographically placed. A crane working in places, hundreds of miles from the shore, may have a different wind force calculation than one built for outdoor operation in a hurricane zone along the coast. The crane's movement, both with and without a load, is influenced by wind. Larger travel drives are typically required for cranes used outside to combat wind pressures. Wind locks are needed for heavy installations to keep the crane in place in strong winds. Creating the crane with the needs of the local wind in mind is

Windproof anchor devices

In order to secure your outdoor gantry crane and outdoor overhead cranes  firmly at the workstation site, windproof anchor devices are a type of crucial large gantry crane safety device.

Typically, when you think of "severe weather," you don't picture cold conditions. On the other hand, cold weather may have a considerable effect on overhead cranes. In cold weather, the crane's tensile strength will decrease and it could possibly break.

An overhead crane's hydraulic system may degrade in colder climates. So, you should reduce your load weight by 25% in below-freezing weather. If the temperature is lower than -20 degrees Fahrenheit, reduce the load weight by 40%.

Additional precautions for cold weather include:

• Enclosing the trolley in a track to prevent ice from damaging it.
• Adding a special finish for cold climates to the crane.
• By using conductor bars, the joints of the crane are shielded.
• Purchasing a winter-appropriate motor.

Using a crane in the snow or at very low temperatures is risky. Under these circumstances, you should proceed with great caution.

Cold weather on steel and other metals

The effects of temperature on steel and electrical components can be profound. Typically, as the temperature drops, steel becomes more fragile. Fortunately, by altering the components of steel, producers may create goods that can be used in cold climates. When getting a crane price, make sure the crane manufacturer and dealer are aware that it will be used outside so that materials may be optimized.

When an overhead crane will be used outside, it's crucial to factor in extra concerns while designing the final product. The crane's performance may be impacted by the wind, sun, high and low temperatures, rain, snow, and other precipitation. When you collaborate with an expert crane manufacturer or crane dealer, these and many other factors are taken into account. Check how to ensure overhead crane safety in extreme weather. 

Regular Inspections

More frequent inspections of outdoor crane and hoist equipment by qualified and certified experts are advised. Depending on how frequently the lifting crane is used and how hostile the environment is, inspections should be performed every six months or more frequently. Lubrication for outdoor crane equipment dries up more quickly, grease can melt off in extreme heat, rubber parts become more brittle in the cold, and environmental debris is blown into the equipment. All of this implies that equipment used outdoors should undergo more frequent inspections and maintenance than equipment used in interior installations.

The outdoor crane will undergo some standard maintenance during inspections, and inspectors will also look for wear and tear before it can stop operating. By reducing downtime, having a qualified pair of eyes on your equipment more frequently will save you money over time.

The Problem Caused by Extreme Weather and Maintenace Tips

Outdoor overhead cranes are unquestionably subjected to harder working conditions than cranes located inside of buildings, from the rain and summer heat to the significant seasonal temperature fluctuations.

Summertime Situations

Your outdoor crane and hoists equipment will suffer from the summertime heat and precipitation. With extreme heat, grease melts, and rain seeps into machinery. This implies that parts will need to be replaced, adjusted, and maintained more frequently. Hoists should "rest" under a cover when not in use to avoid exposure to the elements in order to prevent environmental wear.

Winter Conditions

Rubber and plastic become brittle when exposed to extreme cold. Metal components become fragile in very cold temperatures as well. The accumulation of snow and ice can slow down operations or damage equipment.

When not in use, hoists should "rest" under a cover.

In order to keep things moving, heated rails, heated buss bars, and panel heaters can be provided to prevent cold damage. Before using, snow and ice should be cleared away. Winter loading requires being wary of snow and ice accumulations that could prevent crane operation.

Debris

Dust, mud, pallets, and other types of dunnage are only a few examples of the debris that gets into moving parts and onto runways and rails. Moving parts should be cleaned or lubricated as part of pre-operational inspections and weekly inspections of lifting equipment and rails to keep them free of debris, dust, and outside contaminants. Hoist units should be placed under cover while not in use to shield them from the elements. An outdoor crane's rails easily become clogged with garbage. They need to be regularly checked, including weekly, biannual inspections, and each time they are used. Debris on the rails will cause the outdoor overhead crane to move more slowly, wear out parts more quickly, or stop it totally. Regularly check your rails.

Stocking components and parts

It is a good idea to stock worn parts on-site to enable maintenance to be completed much more quickly because exterior cranes will require wear parts replacement more frequently. Your inspector/maintenance team should have wire ropes, slings, brake disks, contractors, buss bar components, and contactors on available so they can quickly replace worn out parts.