STS and RTG crane maintenance: 6 checks that cut downtime

One hour of downtime on an STS or RTG crane ripples through the whole terminal: vessels wait, trucks queue and the yard plan falls apart. Most major failures give warning signs if the right items are checked at the right interval.

1. Hoist ropes and drums

Check broken wires, wear, corrosion and deformation against the manufacturer’s discard criteria. Lubricate with the correct grease and inspect drum and sheave grooves – worn grooves destroy ropes quickly.

2. Spreader and twistlocks

Twistlocks, lock/unlock sensors and spreader cylinders work non-stop and take impacts. Inspect pin clearances, oil leaks, signal cables and junction boxes every shift or every day.

3. Brakes

Measure lining wear, air gap and braking torque on hoist, trolley and gantry drives. Weak brakes are a safety risk, not just a productivity issue.

4. Diesel engine and generator set (RTG)

On diesel RTGs the genset is the heart of the crane. Change oil and filters by running hours and check the radiator, belts and turbocharger. See TTT’s generator maintenance services.

5. Gearboxes, couplings and bearings

Oil analysis, noise checks and bearing temperature readings reveal gear wear before it becomes a breakdown. Keep bearings, seals and consumables ready for replacement.

6. Electrics, controls and safety devices

Test limit switches, anti-collision, wind sensors, warning lights and panels. Clean cabinets, re-torque terminals and check cooling fans – vital in salty marine air.

Plan instead of firefighting

Logging running hours, faults and replaced parts lets you forecast spares and schedule stops in low-traffic windows. TTT offers scheduled maintenance contracts for port lifting equipment, with a condition report after every visit.

Need advice or a quote? Send the part number or a photo of the nameplate through our quote form or call 0909 580 181 – TTT engineers reply within the working day.