What does a buyer check before ordering a crane or hoist?
Answer
They check safe working load and span against the building, the duty classification against how hard the crane will work, and the test and inspection certification. Duty class is what separates a crane that lasts from one that fails early, and it is routinely left out.
A works engineer is specifying lifting equipment that will be inspected regularly and must not be the reason for a stoppage.
Information to make clear
Use the fields that affect this buying decision. Leave unsupported claims out.
- Safe working load
- The headline specification, and a legal one.
- Span and lift height
- Must match the building structure.
- Duty classification
- How intensively the crane can be worked over its life.
- Crane type
- Overhead, gantry, jib and monorail suit different layouts.
- Travel speeds and control type
- Determine cycle time and operator experience.
- Power supply and control voltage
- Installation constraint.
- Wheel loads and end carriage details
- The structural engineer needs these before anything else.
Documents to prepare
State what can be published, shared on request or issued with an order.
| Document | What it supports | Suggested handling |
|---|---|---|
| Load test certificateMay be requested at: before first use: legally required in most markets | Proof load test performed before handover | Issue per shipment |
| Design calculation and duty classificationMay be requested at: design approval | That the crane is designed for the intended duty | Share on request |
| Declaration of ConformityMay be requested at: before commissioning | Conformity with machinery and lifting requirements | Publish |
| Wheel load and structural dataMay be requested at: building design stage | Loads imposed on the building structure | Publish |
| Inspection and maintenance scheduleMay be requested at: handover | Statutory inspection intervals and what they cover | Publish |
| Operator and maintenance manualMay be requested at: handover | Safe operation and maintenance procedures | Publish |
| Spare parts availability statementMay be requested at: total cost evaluation | How long parts remain available for the model | Publish |
Details to ask in an enquiry
Collect only the information needed to assess the request and respond.
- Load to be lifted and lift height
- The core specification.
- Span and building details
- Determines feasibility and structural impact.
- Duty and cycles per hour
- Sets the classification required.
- Application and environment
- Hot, corrosive or hazardous areas change the design.
- Existing structure or new build
- Decides whether the building can take the loads.
- Installation window
- Crane installation usually requires a shutdown.
Related questions
Why does duty classification matter so much?
Because two cranes with the same safe working load can be designed for very different working lives. A crane classified for light intermittent use will fail early in a foundry. Publishing the classification protects you from the failures and lets serious buyers see the difference from a cheaper offer.
Should wheel loads be published before an order?
Yes, for standard configurations. The structural engineer needs them early and the project cannot progress without them. Being the supplier whose data is already available is often enough to be designed in before a competitor is even contacted.
How should service and inspection be presented?
As an ongoing obligation you support, with intervals and scope stated. Buyers of lifting equipment carry legal duties around inspection, and a manufacturer who explains those duties and offers to meet them is providing something the price comparison does not capture.
This is an editorial checklist, not a compliance standard. Requirements vary by market, customer and contract. Confirm current requirements with the responsible technical and commercial teams.
Plact Research. Plact's editorial desk for buyer-evidence guides. The guides organize common buyer questions, documents and enquiry fields. Requirements should be checked against current standards, regulations and contracts.