When purchasing a crane, you typically receive servicing and maintenance contracts included in the price. Once their warranty expires, instead of looking around the market for a different, more experienced supplier, people usually stay with the same company.
With a wide variety of maintenance providers on the market, you could feel overwhelmed, and have stuck with the same provider because well... it’s easier. But prioritising convenience over the slog of searching for a new maintenance provider won’t just cost you money, but it can also cost you the safety of your employees.
Even if the price is great, ultimately, it’s about the service you’re receiving. After staying with the same company for a few years, your maintenance provider could just be seeing you as a way to make money and not a valued customer.
By hiring someone who works with the manufacturer, you’re likely not getting an unbiased opinion. Even if there is something faulty with your crane, they would likely come up with excuses as to why the fault is on you, not them. Whether it’s blaming the operator or the environment, this hesitation can not only delay repair but also potentially put lives at risk.
By employing an external provider, such as Lloyds British, you would be ensuring that your crane is in peak condition. An external provider is not just able to offer you expert, unbiased advice, but peace of mind that your crane is working safely and efficiently.
When looking for a crane maintenance provider to work with, many of the current companies will focus on just one element - the cranes and quite often only their cranes. Although experience is key in choosing the right crane maintenance provider, it can also be a hindrance.
At Lloyds British, we make sure that our service is:
By working with a company like Lloyds British, you wouldn’t just be ensuring that your cranes are up to scratch, but your workers are too. Ensuring your cranes are fit for purpose and employees are using them safely leads to fewer injuries, less damage to your crane, and lower overall cost from potential injuries.
Aside from ensuring that all staff have the correct training, there are actions that you can take in order to reduce the overall cost your crane will have on your company.
The most obvious way to solve this is to ensure that your crane is being operated properly. If the equipment is being misused and has received significant abnormal damage as a result, these defects could rapidly increase the cost of any overhead crane maintenance contract. .
During initial discussions with a new maintenance provider, be clear with them on the certain work equipment you have access to.
If you have cherry pickers available on-site, for example, make this known to your service provider. This could reduce the cost of the contract if they do not need to hire a third party or source any external equipment.
It is essential that you perform daily check-ups on your cranes. Not only does this ensure that your equipment is in good working condition, but also that it is safe for your workers to use.
Our experts have created a handy checklist of the areas you should review daily to keep your cranes running and avoid downtime
By completing these checks before every shift, it will help you identify any issues your equipment may be having early, saving you both valuable time and money.
Remember: Prevention costs less than an accident. Whether it’s due to downtime, waiting for major repairs on your crane, or through damage settlements, the cost and value of your working day is priceless. By ensuring that your crane is working properly, you will not just be saving time, but saving money.
By correctly training your staff, you are not only complying with health and safety regulations but also are ensuring that your machinery is being operated correctly.
Whether that means having supervisors on-site to make sure tasks are being carried out in the correct manner, or simply to make sure that your
The most cost-effective way to ensure your crane is safe and up to date is by performing preventative maintenance.
An effective preventative maintenance programme should help to address potential issues before they arise. Saving both time and possible injury, performing any preventative maintenance on your crane can help to reduce the cost of crane maintenance contracts.
Maintenance contracts are typically a set price. While this cost can grow yearly and you may feel trapped with your provider due to convenience, there are steps you can take in order to minimise your yearly fee.
The key to ensuring that you get the best deal on your crane maintenance contract is to perform daily maintenance checks, performing preventative maintenance, and ensuring your equipment is being used properly.
By making sure your crane is in perfect working order, you will be saving yourself time and money in the long run:
Speak to one of our experts today to see how we can help support your business.
