Crane training in South America

Preventive maintenance measures are vital to the longevity of cranes, saving money for dealers and rental companies by better ensuring machine availability for the length of contracts and reducing costs for spare parts and repairs.

To ensure Manitowoc and Grove customers in Latin America are making full use of preventative maintenance – and getting the highest return on their investment – the company has designed a comprehensive training programme for the region. Offered in both Portuguese and Spanish, these training sessions are available at facilities in Brazil, Chile and Mexico, plus other locations in South and Central America.

“When crane operators get the proper training in preventive and corrective maintenance, Manitowoc cranes are used to their fullest potential,” said Carlos Eduardo Batista, Manitowoc Crane Care’s training manager in Brazil.

According to Batista, having trained personnel saves companies money by decreasing maintenance costs, and eliminating penalty fees often applied on projects for the failure to complete contracts on a timely basis. Well-maintained cranes also increase a company’s credibility in the market, as well as the trust afforded in their operators.

Manitowoc has a large training centre at the company’s Passo Fundo plant in Brazil. The facility has several simulator crane models and other equipment, allowing trainees to get practical hands-on experience using real crane parts and engines. Customers can also have Manitowoc Crane Care instructors travel to dealers and rental companies for training sessions that are conducted on their own cranes.

The courses run from three to five days and include specific instruction on crane operation, diagnostics, maintenance and repairs. The classes also emphasize electric, hydraulic, pneumatic, and mechanical theory and practice tests, in addition to safety systems. When the training is complete, companies and trainees receive a technical certification endorsed by the Manitowoc plants in Germany and the United States.