A crane is a 15–25 year investment bolted to your building. The difference between a good and a bad purchase usually comes down to questions asked before the order — not after installation. These are the seven questions we believe every factory owner should put to any crane manufacturer, including us.
1. What design standard do you follow — and can you show the calculation?
Indian overhead cranes should be designed to IS 3177 and IS 807. Ask to see the girder deflection calculation for your exact span and capacity. A serious manufacturer shows the numbers; a trader changes the subject.
2. What duty class is the crane rated for?
A Class II crane doing Class IV work (continuous foundry or steel duty) will fail early. Describe your lifts per hour honestly and get the duty class in writing on the quotation.
3. Whose hoist, motors, and ropes go inside?
The crane girder rarely fails; the components do. Ask which brand of wire rope, gearbox, brake, and electricals are quoted. We use branded ropes (Usha Martin) and name every major component in the offer — insist on the same from anyone.
4. Is the price with or without proof load testing?
Every new crane should be load tested at site at 125% of rated capacity, with a test certificate you can show your factory inspector. If testing is "extra", the price is not comparable.
5. Who does the installation — your team or a subcontractor?
Alignment errors during erection cause years of wheel and rail wear. Ask whether the manufacturer's own crew installs and commissions, and who signs off the geometry.
6. What happens when it breaks down at 2 a.m.?
Ask for the actual breakdown process: who answers, from where, and how fast a technician reaches your city. Our answer is a 24/7 line and same-day response across Gujarat — get the equivalent commitment in writing from anyone you shortlist.
7. Can I speak to two customers running your cranes for 5+ years?
Nothing replaces a reference from a plant that has lived with the machine. Any manufacturer proud of their installed base will share numbers gladly.
Compare our answers on the product range page, or send us your specification and judge the response yourself.