6 Eye-Opening Signs Your Spider Lift Needs Urgent Repairs
Capable of lasting roughly a decade, spider lifts can start showing signs of wear a couple of years into their operation. While these early signs are not necessarily alarming, regular monitoring of your equipment is a must to ensure any minor performance hiccups do not turn into major safety hazards.
That said, giving your spider lift the attention and care it deserves can extend its lifespan and ensure safe and reliable performance. Especially if you get yours from a trusted brand like Platform Basket Canada.
However, if your lift looks worse for wear lately, you need to take a closer look and catch warning signs early before they escalate. Timely repairs can avert the most severe safety disasters while keeping downtime and costly replacements at bay.
In this blog, we will shed light on 6 common issues that indicate your spider lift needs immediate repairs.
Hidden Clues That Reveal Your Spider Lift Needs Repairs
1. Unusual noise during use
Got your spider lift up and running onsite? Notice if it makes any unusual noise. Typically, a well-performing lift tends to run smoothly and quietly. However, if sounds such as grinding, squealing, or clunking are audible, they might indicate trouble with your equipment’s hydraulics, gears, or bearings.
Though this might seem like a tiny issue that does not require immediate action, leaving the source of the sound untreated can lead to an eventual mechanical failure. We recommend shutting down your machine and inspecting it thoroughly the second it starts sounding different.
2. Jerky movement
Smooth movements are a hallmark of spider lifts. That is what makes them a stable height access platform. However, if your lift’s response time slows down or if it begins to move in a jerky manner, it could be indicative of a hydraulic fluid leak. Pump issues or worn-down components might also be possible reasons behind wobbling motions. Either way, you must monitor your machine’s performance closely and check for hydraulic leaks.
3. Hydraulic leaks
The hydraulic fluid in your atrium lift powers most of its key functions. If your machine is low on fluid or if it happens to leak, performance and safety issues are bound to follow. To know if the hydraulic fluid is leaking, check for damp spots or puddles right under your machine. Alternatively, boom stability issues and reduced lifting power also suggest your equipment needs a fluid top-up.
4. Electrical malfunctions
Most modern spider lifts depend on advanced electrical systems for smooth operation. These systems help you control the machine and ensure it remains safe and stable for use. Over time, though, instances of faulty switches, erratic lighting, unexpected shutdowns, error codes, or sudden power loss are not uncommon. If you notice any of these, treat them as red flags that warrant an immediate professional inspection.
5. Visible wear and tear
Not the cosmetic kind, but structural wear and tear is what you should watch out for. Atrium lifts are commonly used in rugged environments – spanning all the way from construction sites to industrial facilities. While cosmetic damage in the form of scratches and scuffs is nothing to worry about, cracks, bends, rust, and heavily worn-down tracks and tires might tell a whole other story. The only way to stop these from becoming a problem is to carry out a thorough visual inspection before and after each use.
6. Overheating or burning odor
Finally, if you notice a foul, burning smell emanating from your lift, you should discontinue use immediately and shut the machine down before it starts to smoke. Do the same if you can feel your platform overheat. Each of these issues suggests that either your engine, hydraulic, or electrical system is faulty and requires urgent repair.
Conclusion
A spider lift is a huge investment, which we believe deserves to be protected against all costs. While you cannot prevent wear and tear, you can certainly halt major issues in their tracks by frequently inspecting and servicing your lift. At Platform Basket Canada, we not only bring you the finest lifts Mississauga, Ontario, has to offer, but we also provide remote diagnostic and repair services. Contact us to get reliable atrium lifts that receive a lifetime of manufacturer support.
