Overhead Crane Repair & Inspection

Serving Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and South Dakota

Your cranes work hard and experience constant wear from lifting and moving heavy loads. With RMH Systems’ comprehensive services for overhead crane repair and inspection in the Midwest, you’ll be able to reduce unexpected downtime, improve safety, and keep productivity on track.

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Your Single Source for Overhead Crane Services

It’s time-consuming to manage multiple vendors for crane installation, inspections, and repair. For facilities in the Midwest, RMH is your single source for everything you need for keeping your crane running at peak performance.

Our team of local, factory-trained crane technicians is ready to assist you, so call us at 866-217-0804 to schedule your appointment today!

Overhead crane inspection

Overhead Crane Inspection Services

Because overhead cranes lift heavy loads near people, they must work properly to keep employees safe. Annual inspections and certification are required to comply with OSHA and other industry standards.

Annual inspections must be completed by a qualified crane technician and include an in-depth examination and a certified inspection report. As your full-service crane partner, RMH can conduct your inspection and then address any maintenance needs or safety deficiencies found during the inspection.

If you’re installing a new crane, have completed major repairs, or have relocated one, we can provide the required load-testing certification using our own test weights.

What Annual Inspections Include

Structural Inspection

  • Structural Members: deformation, cracks, corrosion

  • Fasteners: missing bolts or rivets

  • Sheaves & Drums: groove wear, cracks, chipped flanges

  • Wheels & Bearings: flat spots, flange wear, alignment

Component Measurements

  • Hook Throat Opening: opening increase, twist degree

  • Wire Rope/Chain: stretch, broken wires, kinking, lubrication

  • Braking Systems: brake thickness, glazing, adjustment

Electrical Checks

  • Contractors & Relays: pitting, overheating, tight connections

  • Control Stations: proper labeling, spring return function

  • Festoon/Conductors: frayed wires, snagging hazards

Safety Tests

  • Limit Switches: upper and lower limit tripping

  • Overload Limiters: power cut if rated capacity exceeded

  • Warning Devices: horns, lights, sirens

Types of Crane Inspections

Overhead cranes require several different types of inspections to ensure safe operation and regulatory compliance.

Inspection Type Required Frequency Who Performs It What It Includes Purpose
Pre-Operational Inspection Before each shift or use Crane operator Visual checks: controls, hoists, hooks, ropes/chain, safety devices, overall operation Ensures safe operation and identifies obvious issues immediately
Frequent Inspection Daily to monthly, depending on use and environment Crane operator or qualified maintenance personnel Operating issue checks: ropes/chains, hooks, chains, limit switches, overall operation Identifies maintenance or adjustment needs for high-wear parts
Periodic Inspection Quarterly, semi-annually or annually, depending on use and environment Qualified crane technician Detailed inspection: structure, hoists, electrical, load-bearing parts, safety mechanisms, overall operation Detects less obvious issues that develop over time
Annual Inspection Annually Qualified crane technician Full system evaluation Ensures crane meets OSHA/industry safety standards

Overhead Crane Repair Services

Cranes are a critical part of safely and efficiently moving heavy loads in your facility. When you need service, you can’t afford excessive downtime.

RMH’s team is strategically located in Iowa and Minnesota to provide fast, expert service across the Midwest for any crane issues you’re experiencing. Here are just a few of the ways our factory-trained technicians can assist you.

Repair & Replacement

  • Emergency crane repair

  • Hoist & brake repair

  • Wire rope replacement

  • Motor & structural repairs

  • Crane replacement

Troubleshooting Issues

  • Unusual noises

  • Slow lifting

  • Jerky movement

  • Electrial problems

  • Worn parts

crane repair

Need Replacement Parts?

If we sell it, we can help you find parts for it.

overhead crane inspection

One Trusted Partner for Complete Overhead Crane Support

With RMH Systems, you have one team behind your crane from initial design through ongoing support.

  • Trusted Nationwide: 80-plus years of industrial expertise

  • Local Experts: Factory-trained service teams conveniently located in Iowa and Minnesota for fast regional response

  • End-to-End Support: Installation, repairs and inspections from one expert team

  • Brand Access: Access to top crane and lifting device manufacturers, including Gorbel, Demag, R&M, Caldwell, Aimco, and Vestil

Overhead Crane Repair & Inspection FAQs

Our technicians repair and inspect overhead cranes across the Midwest, including Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and South Dakota

OSHA requires a “qualified person” to perform your periodic and annual inspections. Here are a few things to look for when choosing a company to inspect your crane.

  • Technical certifications such as CCAA or NCCCO, plus manufacturer-specific training.
  • Compliance with OSHA and ASME standards
  • Repair capability plus access to OEM parts, which allows your inspector to repair any safety deficiencies so you can quickly get your crane back into service.
  • Required documentation for inspections
  • Required insurance and liability coverage

Working with a qualified company like RMH ensures your crane meets required standards for safe, efficient operation.

We recommend regular inspection to keep employees safe, reduce equipment downtime and stay compliant with industry regulations. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.179 requires four different types of inspections for overhead cranes that vary based on use:

  • Initial
    • New or extensively repaired cranes
    • Professional inspection required to check hoisting and lowering; trolley and bridge travel; limit switches and safety devices; and load testing for up to 125% of required capacity.
  • Frequent 
    • Daily to weekly (high-cycle use), weekly to monthly (heavy use), monthly (normal to light use)
    • Visual and functional checks for operational controls, limit switches, hooks and latches, wire rope or chain, and brakes.
  • Periodic
    • Yearly (normal/heavy use), quarterly (severe use)
    • Professional inspection required to check structural integrity, mechanical parts, braking systems, electrical components.
  • Idle/Standby
    • Frequent inspection (idle 1-6 months), Frequent and Periodic inspection (idle 6-plus months)

Our service professionals can help you determine what type of inspection schedule your crane needs to follow.

Our professional crane inspections include thorough checking and testing of:

  • Structural components and bridge beams
  • Hoists and lifting mechanisms
  • Wire ropes and chains
  • Hooks and load blocks
  • Brakes and motors
  • Electrical systems and controls
  • Safety devices and limit switches

Your inspector will also provide you with a certified inspection report to satisfy OSHA requirements.

We inspect and repair a wide range of lifting equipment, including:

Demag, R&M and Gorbel

  • Top-running cranes
  • Underhung cranes
  • Workstation cranes
  • Jib cranes
  • Gantry cranes
  • Monorail cranes

Harrington, R&M, Gorbel, CM

  • Crane hoists & trolleys

Caldwell, Aimco, Vestil

  • Below the hook lifting devices

Gorbel, Vacuum Lifters

  • Intelligent lifting devices

If you notice any of these signs, contact us for repair right away:

  • Unusual noises during operation (grinding, screeching, clunking or chattering)
  • Jerky, slow or uneven lifting
  • Electrical or control problems (load drifting, sticky controls, erratic movement or frequent circuit breaker trips)
  • Kinked, worn or damaged wire ropes
  • Deformed hook
  • Shaved metal beneath runway rails
  • Oil leaks
  • Malfunctioning brakes or limit switches

Cranes experiencing load drift or control malfunctions should be put out of service immediately using lockout/tagout procedures.

Yes. Our team has its own weights and can provide load testing certification.

Yes. Contact us at 800-851-4995 for more information.

Yes. If we sell it, we can help you find parts for it. The brands we support include Aimco, Caldwell, CM, Demag, Gorbel, Harrington, R&M, and Vestil.