Buying a used or reconditioned overhead crane can be almost as worrying as buying a new car or even a house. The classified sections of industrial magazines are littered with adverts for used cranes, as is the internet.It is not hard to figure out why the second hand market thrives: cranes are expensive pieces of equipment and the savings that can be made are undoubtedly attractive. And a factory that is closing down or being refurbished is likely to have surplus equipment that might still have significant market value.
Derek Barnbrook, managing director of Crane Care (UK), says that a used crane can be a third of the price of a new one. It may make no commercial sense to buy a brand new crane for just very occasional lifts if one’s budget is tight. Barnbrook advises that crane buyers should carefully assess their budget first and look at the workload required from the crane.
So what should you look out for and double check before you decide to run the gauntlet of the used crane market? It is important to remember that the expenses do not stop with the simple purchase cost of the crane. And it can be a time-consuming process trying to findthe right crane for the required application.
Design
The design of the crane is a major consideration. Most overhead cranes are built to the specification of the original user and therefore will not necessarily be suited to performing a different task from the one for which it was designed. This means that alterations and modifications may have to be made to the crane, which can be costly and sometimes tricky if the original manufacturer is hard to trace or the crane is old. Barnbrook advises that people should not buy a crane that is more than 10 years old because that is the usual life expectancy of a crane.
This opinion is supported by George Coull of Certex (UK). He says that it can be very difficult finding parts and spares for older cranes and there is a large possibility, given the history of this industry, that the manufacturer is no longer in business.
History
As with any used goods, it can be a worry not knowing the exact history of the product. Declarations of Conformity should follow the cranes wherever they go, but it can be hard to find out whether a crane has been maintained properly or whether it has been overworked, abused and generally not looked after.
Previous location is another key point. Coull suggests that buyers should do a bit of research into the crane’s history to find out its former working conditions. A crane working in close proximity to furnaces, corrosive materials and even excessive dust could have suffered unseen damage.
Another check that should be made is to find out whether the vendor, or any previous owners, have carried out any modifications to the crane without the authorisation of the manufacturer.
Does it fit?
So, you have decided to buy a used crane, found one that suits your needs and checked its history and quality. There are a few more things that need to be done before handing over the money.
It might be obvious to some but the housing might be the most important consideration when buying a used crane. Coull says that it is vital to buy a crane that suits your premises, not vice-versa. Whether or not the building is high enough and solid enough to house the crane is an obvious but necessary question. Coull recommends that the premises should be checked by a structural engineer to make sure the building can withstand the extra loading of a crane.
He also says that buyers must think about where the rails will fit. Is there enough room for a frame and gantry? Will the crane have adequate space for maintenance access? And, perhaps most importantly, how will it be powered? If it is electric, is there enough power from your supply to run it?
Buyer beware
Like buying a second hand car, it is up to the buyer to ensure that the product is fit for purpose – that it functions effectively and safely. Just as you have checked out the history of the crane, it is no bad thing to find out something about the vendor. (‘Would you buy a used car from this man?’, one might ask oneself.)
As it is the crane buyer’s responsibility to ensure that the crane is safety compliant, independent engineering consultant Danny Morris recommends a number of vital checks that need to be done before completing the purchase of a used crane.
Firstly, Morris says that the crane should be looked at by an inspector from the buyer’s insurance company. This will put the crane through a rigorous examination and spare any wrangling with the insurance company later on. Morris also recommends having the ropes on the crane inspected by a rope manufacturer, as they are a vital part of the crane that can often be overlooked.
Installation and maintenance
Once you have procured your ‘previously enjoyed’ crane, how will it be transported to and installed at your premises? Many companies that sell used cranes will include this as part of the sale but smaller dealers and private vendors are unlikely to have the resources.
Next, there is the load test – a vital consideration. You will have to get the engineers back in again for this to ensure that all regulations are being complied with.
After the crane has been installed, the operator should inspect it weekly, Danny Morris recommends. The crane may still fall under the original manufacturer’s warranty, but if not, it should be fairly easy to get servicing and advice from them – again, as long as the company is still in business.
Get help
In closing, Derek Barnbrook adds that a second hand crane is likely to be the best choice for somebody on a tight budget who is only looking to use the crane on an occasional basis, but he strongly recommends that they enlist expert help when choosing.
For those with more money and a heavier workload, it is wiser to buy new rather than watch the costs of labour, inspection, modification, testing and installation outweigh the price of a brand new crane.
