The Importance of Regular Overhead Crane Service

At Safe Lifting Australia, our overhead crane service programs are tailored to high-demand industries. When cranes fail, the results can be catastrophic — costly downtime, safety risks, and compliance breaches. That’s why regular overhead crane servicing is not just good practice, it’s essential.

8/1/20252 min read

SLA inspector inspecting offshore crane hook and sheaves being inspected

The Harsh Environments of Heavy Industry, Mining and Oil & Gas

Cranes operating in these industries face some of the toughest conditions in Australia:

Mining sites/Heavy Industry – exposure to dust, abrasive materials, and heavy usage cycles.
Oil & gas facilities – salt corrosion, offshore weather, and continuous lifting demands.

These conditions accelerate wear on structural, electrical, and mechanical components. Without proactive servicing, even small issues can turn into major failures.

FAQ | Frequently Asked Questions – Overhead Crane Servicing

How often should an overhead crane be serviced?

Overhead cranes must be serviced at regular intervals to comply with AS2550.1 and as2550.3 and manufacturer recommendations.
Daily/Pre-start checks should be carried out by the operator before each shift.
Routine servicing is generally carried out every 3, depending on duty cycles and environment.
Periodic inspections (often annual) provide a deeper review of wear, compliance, and safety.
Major inspections are required at 10-year and 25-year intervals. however this is dependant upon a few factors, we can guide you through this.

The Benefits of Proactive Crane Servicing

Regular overhead crane servicing provides key benefits:

Compliance with Australian Standards (AS1418 & AS2550) to meet legal obligations.
Improved reliability – reducing unexpected breakdowns.
Cost savings – planned servicing is far cheaper than emergency repairs.
Extended crane life – protecting your capital investment.
Increased safety – safeguarding workers and site operations.

For mining and oil & gas operators, avoiding unplanned downtime often means the difference between meeting production targets and incurring major losses.

What’s Included in a Professional Service

At Safe Lifting Australia, our overhead crane service programs are tailored to high-demand industries. A typical service includes:

Visual inspections of all structural components.
Lubrication of moving parts to prevent excessive wear.
Electrical system checks, including wiring and controls.
Brake and gearbox inspections.
Non-destructive testing (NDT) of critical areas.
Detailed reporting aligned with compliance requirements.

Case Study: Crane Servicing in Heavy Industry

Recently, our team serviced multiple overhead cranes at a large facility in Western Australia. The cranes had been operating under heavy dust conditions, and our inspections identified:

Excessive wear on wheel assemblies.
Electrical cable insulation damage from abrasive material.
Lubrication issues contributing to premature bearing wear on rope and rope guide.

By addressing these issues immediately, the site avoided an unexpected shutdown and extended the service life of their equipment.

Why Choose Safe Lifting Australia

With offices in WA, Tasmania, and operating all over Aulstralia, NZ and Singapore, and technicians trained to DNV and API standards, Safe Lifting Australia delivers crane servicing that goes beyond the basics. Our experience across mining, offshore, and industrial projects means we understand the unique challenges of your industry.