Had a main hoist brake start slipping on a 50-ton lift in Regina

It was during a pick last Thursday, and I felt the load drift about an inch before I caught it. I set it down right away and called for the mechanic, who found the brake pads were glazed over. Has anyone else had this happen, and what's the best way to check for it before a big lift?

3 comments

3 Comments

perry.jessica2mo ago

We had a similar glazing issue on a Manitowoc in Fort Mac. A quick pre-lift check for me is feeling for any heat on the brake housing after a few test cycles.

rivera.christopher2mo ago

Yeah, a buddy of mine saw that on a crane at the port. They started doing a quick drag test on the empty hook before each shift, just to listen for any weird sounds.

rayc8918d ago

Maybe it's just me but I feel like we overcomplicate this stuff sometimes. A quick drag test and feeling for heat sounds like more of a feel-good ritual than anything really telling you about glazing. I've run cranes for years where the brakes would get warm after a few cycles on a normal day and it never meant anything was wrong. Unless you're hearing metal on metal or a high pitched squeal that won't quit, I'd bet most of this is just normal wear and tear. Seems like the internet gets people all worked up about stuff that was never a big deal until someone made a video about it.