NEWS

3/19/2025

Your service crane is one of the hardest working pieces of equipment you own and it’s critical to take proper care of it to prevent a breakdown or, worse yet, personal injury.

Whether you’re a seasoned operator or new to the job, understanding and maintaining the boom components ensures safe, reliable lifting and extends the life of your equipment.

Let’s start with a quick refresher: The boom on a crane is the primary lifting beam. Depending on the model, it may feature multiple extensions—some hydraulic, some manual. Several key systems make up the boom, including:

• Anti-two-block (A2B) device
• Boom tip light
• Hoist
• Sheaves
• Bearing plates (these allow the boom sections to slide smoothly over each other)

All of these components must be properly maintained for safe operation.

Inspection Points for Boom Safety

Here are a few critical items to check during your routine inspections:

✅ Wire Rope
Inspect for broken wires, corrosion, bird-caging, kinks, or other deformities. Refer to your crane’s manual for damage limits and replacement criteria.

✅ Sheaves
Ensure they rotate smoothly and the grooves are free of excessive wear or damage.

✅ Bearing Plates
Lubricate as specified in the manual. Confirm there’s no steel-on-steel contact between boom sections.

✅ Boom Extensions
Fully extend and inspect for cracks, distortion, and corrosion.

✅ Boom Tip Lights & A2B Device
These are powered via a cord reel—make sure the reel retracts evenly and maintains proper cable tension. The A2B lever at the boom tip is especially vulnerable to damage. Inspect it closely, confirm it’s properly adjusted to prevent two-blocking (when the load block contacts the jib head), and ensure the switch is functioning. Most cranes display an A2B activation alert on the remote.

Operating Best Practices

When using your crane, keep these boom safety guidelines in mind:

• Lift Vertically Only: Service cranes are designed strictly for vertical lifting.
• Do not drag loads, side load, or apply forces beyond what’s described in the manual.
• Avoid Two-Blocking: Two-blocking can severely damage crane components. Be aware of this risk, especially when working in tight spaces.
• Understand Your Crane Design: On Tiger Cranes, the hoist is mounted on the rear of the boom, which keeps the cable length consistent as you elevate or lower the boom—helping prevent inadvertent two-block conditions. Other manufacturers often mount the hoist on the turret. Always review your crane’s operation manual to understand how your specific model works.
• Hoisting: Ensure the wire rope winds evenly and tightly. Watch for gaps, binding, or layers that are jumping out of alignment.

One Final Thought

Your crane’s operation manual is your best resource. It’s packed with troubleshooting tips, inspection forms, and references to core OSHA and ASME standards. Taking time to read and follow the manual will help you avoid personal injury or property damage and keeps your crane in optimal condition.

Need Assistance?

We offer professional crane inspection and repair services. Whether you need routine maintenance, a detailed inspection, or repairs, our Service Department is here to help.

Call us at 800.225.8789 to schedule your service or inspection, or to speak directly with our Service team.

Prefer email? Drop us a message at [email protected] and we’ll get back to you promptly.

Stay safe and keep your crane in top condition with STI!