Installation of an overhead crane


Any crane should at least be assembled before operation. An overhead crane is no exception. Of course, these processes, as well as dismantling after the service life expiration, transportation or other situations should involve skilled specialists. A team should assess design features and installation locations prior to installation. Also, all parts should be checked for defects — corrosion, cracks in metal structures, cable insulation integrity, etc.

You may sel ect one of the both options. Firstly, install crane runways and, thereafter, mount an overhead crane, or assemble large units in advance and deliver them to an installation site as ready-made units.

 

The following devices are used for installation: an assembly mast, a mobile erecting crane or metal structures of a building frame. In this case, it is additionally inspected whether a building is able to withstand all loads, both during installation and in further operation.

 

The installation steps do not depend on a method chosen:

 

·      Unfolding the parts of an overhead crane at an installation or assembling site;

·      Assembling an overhead crane on crane runways;

·      Raising a bridge;

·      The final stage of the installation of an overhead crane.

 

An overhead crane is installed only after the following conditions are met:

 

- The metal structures of a building an overhead crane is supposed to be operated in has been installed. At the same time, structures can partially cover the entire length of a building, and the minimum requirement is 5–6 spans of columns.

 

·      Crane runways have been installed and inspected.

·      There is a railway track at an installation site.

·      The length of an installation area in a building span is equal to twice the length of a bridge.

 

Also, the compliance of an overhead crane span with a beam crane runway is checked, crane units are inspected, and any existing defects are addressed, bolted connections and the available oil in friction points are checked before installation.

 

Minimum tolerance of a crane runway along the horizon and in relation to each other's rails is allowed during installation. Of course, such tolerance should not exceed that indicated in the instructions to each crane.

 

Electrical equipment is mounted and an electric hoist (a telpher fixed with clamps) is installed on a supporting beam. An electric hoist is placed in the middle part of a beam. End beams, both rigid and movable ones, are mounted on crane runways. An assembled supporting beam is lifted, with its one end to be rolled onto the supporting frames of a movable beam’s bracket, and the other end to be connected to a rigid beam with bolts. Thereafter, the struts are welded.

 

At the end of installation operations, supports are installed in order to prevent a crane fr om driving off crane runways or to limit the area of crane movement.

 

Please, do not forget that all operations with loads are potentially dangerous and may result in both material and human casualties. Please, involve only trusted and recognized specialists for the installation of any cranes, and in the event of any defect do not think that “maybe it will blow over”. This does not work.