Crane Modernization & Upgrades

Commissioning a full replacement is not only expensive, but disruptive. Dismantling your old crane and installing a new one is a complex process. Modernization, on the other hand, allows businesses with slow cranes, dated equipment, and low capacity to increase their power and capability in a fraction of the time. Upgrading your system not only improves its performance, it also:

• Extend Your Crane’s Service Life
• Ensure Compliance With Evolving Safety Regulations
• Reduce Maintenance Costs
• Enhance Control and Stability
• Lower the Risk of Accidents and Operator Errors

Extensive field experience and a large inventory of parts allows us to modernize practically all types of cranes and lifting machinery. Besides replacing worn parts, our team can also integrate new technologies in order to expand your crane’s function beyond its original design.

Equipment Modernizing

Reading Crane & Engineering modernizes and upgrades a wide range of cranes and lifting devices, including:

• Overhead Cranes
• Bridge Cranes
• Jib Cranes
• Gantry Cranes
• Workstation Cranes
• Trolleys
• Hoists
• Below-the-Hook Equipment
• Electrical Controls
• Radio Controls
• Transfer Cars

Custom Modernization Solutions

Modernizations are most effective when they rely on customized components, rather than standard, pre-configured equipment. Instead of pulling parts off the shelf, our engineers can build systems designed to fit your workflow, site layout, and operating environment. Custom equipment ensures your cranes are optimized for the tasks they perform most often— enhancing productivity while extending the lifespan of your system.

Upgrading your crane helps address underlying issues that can lead to unscheduled downtime and rising maintenance costs, including:

• Obsolete Parts. Old cranes with outdated technology often have components that are hard to source. Modernization gives you access to a larger inventory of replacement parts, significantly shortening repair times.
• Worn Equipment. Repeated use can wear down even the toughest system. Upgrading your crane allows us to remove old components and install new ones that are stronger, tougher, and more reliable.
• Mechanical Strain. Repetitive tasks can even accelerate wear on wheels, gears, and wire ropes. Incorporating automated controls helps operators maintain consistent speed and accuracy, preserving your system for as long as possible.

Reading Crane & Engineering has been delivering top-of-the-line crane equipment and lifting solutions for over 100 years. Our professional legacy is backed by a team of highly skilled, experienced, and licensed engineers who transform aging, outdated cranes into powerful, reliable systems built to handle today’s toughest challenges and keep up with evolving industrial demands.

Upgrading your crane is a strategic investment that helps your operation remain safe, efficient, and competitive without the cost and downtime that comes with purchasing new equipment.

Not sure if your crane needs a modernization, an upgrade, or a full rebuild? Reach out to our team for help determining the best path forward.

• How do I know if my crane needs modernization?

  The most common sign your crane needs modernization is an increase in the amount of maintenance required to keep it going, especially if the problems are confined to one or two systems. Worn safety equipment (brakes, sensors, etc.) and lack of spare parts are other common signs. Companies often upgrade their cranes in response to changing lifting requirements and safety regulations as well.

• Will modernizing cost less than replacing the crane entirely?

  Yes, because modernization only focuses on a few components or systems, it costs less than replacing your entire system.

• How can I tell if my crane should be upgraded rather than replaced?

  If your crane is structurally sound and still relatively new, then it’s a good candidate for modernization. However, if it’s nearing the end of its lifespan and experiencing problems with multiple systems (brakes, trolley, bridge beams, etc.) then replacement may be the better option.

• If we bought our crane used, can it still be modernized?

  Yes, Reading works with all types of cranes, even used ones. After evaluating your system, our engineers will present a list of recommendations, highlighting the components that need to be upgraded.

• How much downtime should we expect during the modernization process?

  It depends on the number of systems and components involved. Smaller modernization projects might only take a few days, while large ones might require several weeks.

• What details do you need from us before you can quote the project?

  We would need to know the crane’s span, age, height, capacity, and application, as well as a list of any hardware and technology used to operate it (trolley, hoist, brakes, sensors, software, etc.).