5 Tips for Buying Crane Parts

Safety should be one of your biggest concerns on construction sites. In addition to following protocols and making checklists about machine operation, this also means buying the right equipment in the first place. Here are just five tips for ensuring that you only purchase the best when you're in the market for cranes or crane parts.

1. Know Your Needs

Overhead bridge cranes are different than sidelifter cranes. Before you do any shopping at all, make sure you have a firm understanding of what you actually need on your construction site. Consider things like size, features, range of motion and weight capacity.

2. Look at Brand Names

Which brands are known within the industry for their strength and durability? Which are infamous for being overpriced or full of defects? Do your homework to figure out which logos are the ones that inspire trust in their buyers.

3. Know Your Price Range

Price ranges are better than budgets because they encompass both starting and ending prices. For example, you might tell yourself, "Anything under X dollars is likely to be a cheap, flimsy product, but anything over XX dollars will send me into the red." These are the kinds of things to think about as you draft a budget.

4. Read The Company's Reviews

What do previous customers have to say about them? Were they satisfied with their purchases? Were there hidden fees during the checkout process? Would they come back and buy from the company again?

5. Ask About a Warranty

"Never buy anything without a warranty" is good advice in general, but it's especially true for crane parts. You don't want to spend your entire budget twofold just because you have to pay shipping charges to return a defective item. Before you swipe your credit card, read the fine print on returns, exchanges and other compensation.

Whether you're repairing a bridge or building a skyscraper, these are just a few things to keep in mind as you search for crane parts. Remember, safety is of the utmost importance. Don't be afraid to take your time and only buy something that feels right.