Filling the Need for Reliable Lifting in Harsh Conditions
From offshore drilling rigs to ships to wastewater plants, chemical facilities, extreme environments, ports, and more, there seems to be no end to places where hard work needs to get done in harsh conditions. However, getting that work done day after day can be a challenge. Environmental factors can lead to unplanned downtime, safety concerns, expensive and time-consuming repairs, and ultimately costly equipment replacement.
To overcome these challenges, the equipment used in these conditions, including davit cranes, needs to be engineered and built for reliability, exceptional performance, and long-term resilience.
Factors That Create Harsh Lifting Conditions
There are many environments and variables that should be considered harsh. Some of the most common examples include:
- Saltwater
- High winds
- Corrosive chemicals
- Excessive moisture and humidity
- Moving platforms due to currents or ship movement
With so many different elements that can wreak havoc on davits, it’s important to find a solution that is designed for the stresses of your application. Whether it’s high-quality base material, corrosion-resistant coatings, options for easy disassembly, or other custom design considerations, ensuring your crane has the best protection against the specific environment it will work in is the best way to ensure consistent performance.
Key Considerations When Selecting a Davit Crane
Material and Finish Selection
Material and finishes are fundamental considerations that should play a huge role in the davit you choose. For heavily corrosive or saltwater environments, stainless steel or galvanized steel will give a baseline of corrosion resistance. However, these metals will still corrode if left unprotected to work in corrosive conditions for long periods of time. To extend the service life of equipment, powder-coating or epoxy coating are often applied to base materials. These finishes act as sacrificial barriers for the steel, enhancing its corrosion-resistant properties.
Safety Requirements
Corrosion and rust are not the only considerations you need to make when selecting the best crane for harsh conditions. As with choosing a crane for any situation, be sure the davit you pick can reliably handle the heaviest expected lift in the conditions that it will be working. For instance, if wind is a common issue, it is important to account for swinging loads that can reduce effective load capacity. It is also crucial to train operators on the negative effects that wind can have on balance and load capacity to protect the jobsite, the crane itself, and cargo.
Portability and Mounting Options
In some situations, having a portable davit crane that can be easily disassembled and taken out of harsh conditions can be a huge benefit — such as during high winds. This allows the crane to be protected from the worst of the elements when necessary, reducing the amount of wear and tear it has to endure. However, stationary cranes are still going to be vital for some industries that work in harsh conditions. That’s why it’s so important to choose a davit that is designed from base to hook to stand up to the elements and keep up with cleaning and maintenance. Doing so will not only help the crane consistently reach the level of performance you require, but it’s also one of the best ways to protect ROI.
Why Thern Davit Cranes Excel in Harsh Environments
With durability, strength, and custom engineering, Thern davit cranes are built to take on the toughest conditions day after day. By combining our premium construction materials with protective coatings, our cranes can hold up to saltwater, chemicals, and other harsh environments. For instance, our Commander 2000 Series cranes are portable, built from robust steel, feature a 2,000 lbs load capacity, and have a variety of corrosion-resistant finishes available. If you’re looking for a stationary option, the Captain 4000 Series also features heavy-duty steel construction, three protective coatings to choose from — enamel, epoxy, and galvanized — and a whopping 5,500 lbs lifting capacity. All of our cranes have a variety of operation options available, allowing you to choose one that best fits your environment, workers, and frequency needs.
Building Confidence in Critical Lifting Applications
The right davit crane can make a world of difference, especially in industries where harsh conditions are a daily reality. A dependable, high-quality davit will improve the safety, performance, and efficiency of your operation. And when that crane is built to withstand the challenges of its environment, its value increases by reducing downtime, extending service lifespan, and becoming a positive return on investment. If you want to find the perfect davit for your application, reach out to the team at Thern. Our experts are happy to answer any questions and help you begin the process of finding the right crane for your job.