All You Need to Know About Maintaining Your Franna Crane:

Franna cranes, also known as pick and carry cranes, are renowned for their exceptional mobility, and impressive lifting capacity. Maintaining your Franna is not just about ensuring it runs efficiently—it’s about ensuring safety, complying with regulations, and maximising the crane’s longevity. Regular inspections and timely repairs are also vital for keeping your crane in peak condition and avoiding potential breakdowns.

At SuperService™, we specialise in providing expert inspections, servicing, and repairs for a wide range of heavy equipment. In this article, we’ll explore why regular crane maintenance and inspections are essential, and how you can stay ahead of costly repairs and downtime.

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Read More: Why choose SuperService™ for your crane service and repair needs?

Table of Contents

Routine Maintenance and Inspections
What Happens During A Major Inspection?
The Cost of Neglecting Maintenance
Final Thoughts

Routine Maintenance and Inspections

All cranes should be inspected and maintained regularly according to manufacturer guidelines by experienced experts. Even if your Franna crane is not frequently used, regular inspections are still recommended. These inspections may occur on a weekly, monthly, or quarterly basis.  

Preventative maintenance is essential for optimal performance of your Franna. Carried out by an experienced specialist mechanic, like SuperService™, crane maintenance includes, but is not limited to: 

• Checking the crane’s functions and controls for correct speed, operation, and motion limits. 

• Testing emergency switches, interlocks, and safety devices. 

• Examining structural components, brakes, gears, steering, fasteners, pins, wire ropes, sheaves, shafts, hydraulics, and electrical contactors. 

• Ensuring smooth synchronization of boom sections movement. 

• Performing winch testing, repairs and adjustments. 

• Inspecting boom wear pads and adjustment. 

• Checking filters, air and hydraulic systems for leaks, fluid levels, and any loose components. 

• Adhering to the manufacturer’s recommended service schedules. 

• Lubricating moving parts to minimise friction and wear. 

• Promptly replacing worn components to maintain safety and efficiency.  

• Verifying the accuracy of load moment indicator (LMI) and rated capacity indicator (RCI) devices with load cells and certified test weight. 

• Assessing wheels, tyres for wear and tear. 

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Read More: How to tell if your crane or winch needs repairs?

What Happens During a Major Inspection?

Major inspections should be performed when your Franna reaches the end of its design life, as outlined in the manufacturer’s guidelines. It is an essential part of maintaining your crane, ensuring that it complies with Australian safety regulations and remains reliable for heavy-duty operations. This is also essential for plant registration of mobile cranes with a rated capacity of greater than 10 tonnes.  

Typically required every 10 years, this in-depth inspection is a comprehensive assessment of all the critical components of your machine. These checks aim to identify any wear, tear, or potential safety issues before they escalate into costly breakdowns or accidents. Additionally, it identifies if there are any manufacturers’ upgrades or modifications.  

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Read More: Is your crane due for its 10-year inspection?

The Cost of Neglecting Maintenance

Delaying or skipping essential maintenance like servicing and major inspections can result in costly breakdowns, accidents, and even worse. 

The risks involved with neglecting crane maintenance include: 

• Increased chance of accidents 

• Unexpected downtime 

• Costly repairs and replacements 

• Compliance penalties 

• Shortened equipment lifespan 

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To learn more about crane inspections, read: Crane Inspections: Why, Who, and How Often?

Final Thoughts

Maintaining your Franna crane through regular maintenance, routine and major inspections is essential to ensuring its safety, performance, and longevity. Proactively committing to a structured maintenance plan not only avoids breakdowns but also ensures your crane complies with all relevant Australian regulations.  

At SuperService™, we understand the unique demands of Franna cranes. Our technicians follow strict guidelines to ensure that your crane meets all safety and operational standards, so that your projects run smoothly and safely. To learn more, contact our experienced team today on 1300 895 895 or through our website.