Crane Overhaul by ERIKS - Full Inspection, Repair & Test

The turnaround time for loading containers from the hold of a ship onto transport links is a short window, therefore must be kept to an absolute minimum - meaning that the performance and reliability of equipment is crucial.

ERIKS put their signature ‘know-how’ to the test when they were called out to the Dartford River Crossing to investigate the reasons for two 200 tonne cranes regularly breaking down. The race was on to identify and rectify the problem, with the time slot a slender 28 days.

Full removal to installation service

Designed for travelling on the Autobahn, each crane featured a driver’s cab situated at the front, this posed ERIKS’ first problem - to gain clear access to the plant room and remove the motors and generators.

This did not give the scope of access required for the ERIKS team, therefore the decision was made to cut the roof of each pant room and apply additional carnage to lift out the hoist motors, swivel motors and generators.

The five motors (ranging from 35hp/kw to 365hp/kw) and the (80kw) generator were taken to a nearby ERIKS branch where a full scale investigation was undertaken.

It quickly became apparent that the cranes had obviously not been overhauled prior to being hired out, and a lack of preventative maintenance meant that carbon build up was significantly reducing the performance of the motors. The carbon build-up was so extensive that it had led to commutator burning and carbon contamination of stators and rotors.

Having been dismantled, all the windings and components were put through a steam cleaning process. After being dried and electronically tested, the parts were re-insulated and impregnated with varnish. As part of the repair work, the commutators also had to be skimmed and undercut between segment mitres, and new bearings were fitted.

Quick Turnaround

Following reassembly, the each motor was subject to stringent testing, which included dynamic balancing. Once the motors and generators had been re-installed, the roof of each crane plant room was welded back on, and vibration analysis was undertaken.

All-in-all, the contract – removal to re-installation – took only 14 days, that’s half the allocated time.