Understanding "Frankenstein's Monster" Cranes
At Hoist UK, we're no strangers to the temptations and pitfalls of customers purchasing second-hand or reconditioned overhead cranes. In fact, within our walls, we often refer to this type of crane as a "Frankenstein's monster", when we see one that hasn't been refurbished well.
Picture this: multiple overhead cranes cobbled together to create what appears to be a new crane. Much like the infamous literary creature pieced together from various body parts, these "Frankenstein's" cranes can be a patchwork of components from different manufacturers, presenting a host of potential issues for unsuspecting buyers.
Don't get me wrong... not all refurbished cranes are a problem, as there are companies who do this well, and there is guidance issued by The Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA) on how to safely refurbish an overhead crane.
Challenges of Alterations and Legacy Parts
In my younger days, I remember the automotive world grappling with a similar phenomenon known as a "cut and shut" car, where the front of one car was welded to the back of another to create a new vehicle. While this practice has largely faded in the automotive industry, its counterpart still exists in the overhead crane world. And let me tell you, purchasing one of these patched-together overhead cranes could spell trouble for buyers, if the refurbishment work hasn't been carried out correctly by a suitably trained and competent person or company.
One of the most concerning aspects of these "Frankenstein's Monster" cranes is the alteration of steelwork elements. Sometimes, structural bridge beam sections are shortened, but even more concerning is when they're lengthened, resulting in beams with joints, which may be weak points in the bridge beam structure. While this might seem like a minor issue, it could lead to alignment problems when the crane geometry is reset in the modification process.
Alignment issues are particularly prevalent, especially if the crane has undergone a span change, as most of the refurbished cranes are altered in this way as its unlikely you will find a crane that is exactly the right span for your building or existing gantry steelwork. This can result in uneven wear and tear, compromising both safety and efficiency.
Availability of legacy parts is also a major problem when purchasing a second hand, refurbished or preloved overhead crane or hoist.
Original Equipment Manufacturer's (OEM) are always updating equipment models, which is essential for them to stay competitive, meet customer needs, comply with regulations, and continuously improve their products.
Normally these OEM's manufacture certain models for a period of between 5 and 15 years, and sometimes more dependant on how popular or ground breaking their product was when originally taken to market.
Manufacturers then normally support these models with legacy spare parts for a period of 5 to 10 years after the model ceased to be a current production model.
Some manufacturers will continue to support their legacy product longer, whilst they have access to tooling, moulds and have the demand for the parts although when tooling or moulds get damaged they are not replaced.
Dependant on their aged second hand or refurbished overhead cranes will need legacy parts such as geared motors, brakes, limit switches, rope guides or some of their more unique components along with cables, and control gear which lead to ongoing maintenance headaches and costly repairs bills, that will seem never ending with expensive legacy parts.
Buying a second-hand, refurbished or preloved crane is akin to purchasing a used car. You might be lucky and find one that provides years of hassle-free operation. However, you also run the risk of inheriting a wide range of problems that end up costing you more in the long run. From downtime to the expense of sourcing and fitting potentially obsolete spare parts or worse still having to have them reengineered, the hidden costs can quickly add up, especially with the labour and access plant needed for this type of repair work.
Our Commitment to Quality and Innovation
In conclusion, while the allure of a discounted overhead cranes may be enticing, it's essential to approach the decision with caution. Investing in a new overhead crane or hoist not only offers the assurance of quality and reliability but also ensures that your lifting operations remain safe and efficient for years to come.
Don't gamble with your equipment - choose wisely, and invest in the future of your business.
At Hoist UK, we understand that navigating the world of lifting equipment can be daunting, especially when considering the complexities of purchasing overhead cranes, hoists and any other lifting equipment. That's why we offer more than just products - we offer expertise and guidance every step of the way.
Our team is dedicated to providing free advice and consultations to help you find the perfect lifting solution for your unique requirements.
But our commitment to excellence doesn't stop there. As proud members of the Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA), we adhere to the highest standards of professionalism, safety, and quality in everything we do. LEEA membership is not just a badge of honour - it's a testament to our unwavering dedication to upholding industry best practices and ensuring the utmost safety and reliability of our products and services.