Basic maintenance, troubleshooting, and shutdown procedures
The operator maintains and shuts down the crane; the technician repairs it. The exam penalises answers that blur that line.
Operator-level maintenance
- Follow the manual's lubrication chart: slew ring and pinion grease, rope and sheave lubrication, wire rope and end-fitting checks.
- Check gearbox and hydraulic oil levels, leaks, filters, brake lining wear, and battery condition; keep cab, walkways, and ladders clean.
- Record everything in the log book: findings, defects, actions taken, and who was informed.
Troubleshooting within scope
Diagnose by symptom, then stop. Hoist brake drift, slew brake slip, a limit switch tripping early, an LMI fault code, or a sluggish control are report-and-tag-out items. Reset only what the manual authorises - for example re-arming a limit after clearing the cause. Never defeat, bypass, or adjust a limit switch, LMI, or anti-collision device, and never pull a fuse to “get through the shift”.
Shutdown
Land and clear the load, stow the trolley per the manual, raise the hook block to its travel position, and place the crane in free-slew so the jib weathervanes. Apply rail clamps or tie-downs where specified, switch off and lock the isolator, secure the cab, and complete the handover entry. In a storm, follow the manufacturer's storm procedure and re-inspect before returning to service.
Worked example
The hook drifts down slowly with the control in neutral. Reasoning: the brake is not holding - likely lining wear, oil contamination, or misadjustment. Correct action is to land the load, stop the lift, tag out the crane, and log a defect for the technician. Adjusting the brake yourself is outside operator scope and voids the maintenance record.
Traps
Carrying on with a drifting brake by compensating; silencing alarms; parking the jib across the prevailing wind; leaving the crane out of free-slew overnight.