Why is it important to carry out regular maintenance checks on HDS cranes?

Specifics of HDS cranes 

HDS cranes have been on the market for a very long time, but it is only in recent years that they have become more popular. We use them for both loading and unloading various types of goods. Their compact design means that we can reach almost any location with their use. This is a feature that sets HDS cranes apart from other cranes. 

Technical inspection 

Cranes are more or less technologically and structurally advanced machines. Their fully operational condition therefore requires constant supervision and regular maintenance inspections. HDS cranes are devices subject to inspection by the Office of Technical Inspection. The functionality of hydraulic truck-mounted cranes is of paramount importance for the safety not only of people, but also of the loads being moved. This translates into carefully regulated maintenance and supervision of these devices.   

Tests to which HDS cranes are subject 

Hydraulic truck cranes are subject to three types of testing. These include: 

• Periodic examinations - are cyclical tests which are carried out at intervals set by the manufacturer, but may not be performed less frequently than once a year. These surveys are designed to check whether the recommendations that were commissioned in the previous survey have been implemented and whether any new damage has occurred during the operation of the machine that affects safety when using HDS cranes.  
• Ad hoc in-service tests - are examinations carried out on an as-needed basis. Their scope is determined taking into account the needs as well as the circumstances of the research.   
• Ad hoc post-accident and post-crash examinations - are carried out following a malfunction or an accident during the use of the HDS crane. The purpose of these surveys is to determine the technical condition of the equipment and the cause of the fault.   

How often to carry out maintenance checks on HDS cranes? 

Maintenance inspections of cranes mainly depend on the type of crane. This is due to the manufacturer's recommendations and the UDT procedure. However, they should be carried out at least once a year. Each maintenance job must be certified in writing in the crane equipment maintenance logbook. 

Maintenance of cranes 

Maintenance is a series of activities that are carried out in order to quickly detect faults and malfunctions in equipment and to ensure its correct, as well as safe, operation. This allows us to operate machines safely and avoid work stoppages.  

During maintenance inspections, among other things, the following are carried out: 

• repairing or replacing components that are damaged,  
• assessment of the technical condition of the equipment,  
• cleaning of machine components. 

Crane resourse 

According to the Decree of the Minister of Entrepreneurship and Technology of 30 October 2018 on the technical conditions of technical supervision in the operation, repair and modernisation of material handling equipment, the owner of a crane is obliged to assess the technical condition of the equipment in terms of its service life. We are talking about the so-called "resourse", or limit parameters, which are used to assess and identify the technical condition of the machine. It is determined by the number of operating cycles and its load over a given period of operation.  

HDS crane service  

Maintenance and repair work should only be carried out by suitably qualified personnel. Comprehensive service activities include not only the company's support in carrying out maintenance inspections, tests or registration of equipment, but also upgrades, repairs, replacements of defective parts and such measures as to extend the service life of individual machine components.  

What are the most common failures of HDS cranes? 

Some of the main operating risks when using HDS cranes are those caused by damage to the hydraulic system, particularly leakage of hydraulic fluid. Hydraulic fluid leakage and slack in the working parts of the crane are most often the result of overloading or inadequate maintenance. 

Popular faults with HDS cranes are also damage to the crane's structure, failure of the controls or mechanisms that are responsible for gripping the loads being moved. Damage and failures can be caused by overloading, working on incorrect ground or not stabilising the HDS crane correctly.