What is an independent crane technology review?

It is an owner-side evaluation of crane technology options and supplier proposals. CAG assesses the operational objective, the existing crane, the technology categories that apply, retrofit considerations and the commercial proposals on the table — without selling any of the equipment involved.

Can technology be added to an existing overhead crane?

Often, yes. Load monitoring, anti-collision, camera systems, condition monitoring, control upgrades and below-the-hook equipment are frequently retrofitted. Whether it is appropriate depends on the crane's structure, duty, controls and remaining life — which is exactly what the review examines.

Do you recommend specific brands?

No. CAG is vendor-neutral and does not endorse or resell any manufacturer's products. We define what the solution has to achieve and evaluate the proposals owners receive against that.

Is this cheaper than replacing the crane?

Sometimes a technology upgrade solves the problem for a fraction of a replacement; sometimes it postpones a decision that should be made now. The review is intended to answer that question before capital is committed, not to argue for one outcome.

Independent · Vendor-Neutral

Independent Crane Technology Review

There may be more options available for your crane than your current supplier is presenting. CAG independently evaluates available technologies and supplier proposals to help determine which solutions provide real operational value — and which may add unnecessary cost or complexity.

Learn more: Could New Crane Technology Solve the Problem Without Replacing the Crane?

When you need this

Signals it's time to engage CAG.

A supplier has proposed a technology upgrade and you want an independent opinion before approving it
You have an operational problem — cycle time, load control, safety, downtime — and are not sure what technology categories apply
You are deciding whether adding technology to the existing crane is a better use of capital than replacing it
You have competing proposals for load monitoring, anti-collision, automation or condition monitoring and cannot compare them fairly
You need to know what suppliers should be asked to provide before an enquiry goes out

What we deliver

Concrete outputs, not just advice.

—Written independent opinion on the proposed or available technology
—High-level review of the existing crane and application for retrofit suitability
—Identification of the technology categories that genuinely address the objective
—Independent comparison of supplier proposals on a common technical basis
—Guidance on what suppliers should be required to provide, confirm and warrant
—Lifecycle and value considerations, including support, obsolescence and training

Modern overhead cranes can carry load monitoring and weighing, anti-collision and positioning, anti-sway and smart controls, radio and RFID operator access, cameras, remote and automated operation, condition monitoring and predictive maintenance, magnets, grapples, automatic hooks and other below-the-hook systems. Each of those can be worth the money — or can be an expensive answer to a problem the facility does not have. We do not manufacture the crane or sell the technology. We help you decide what you actually need, then help you hold suppliers to a common technical basis so the proposals in front of you can be compared honestly.

An engagement begins with the operational objective, not a product list: what is slowing the process, creating risk, or driving downtime. From there we review the crane and application at a high level, identify the technology categories that credibly address the objective, and consider retrofit and compatibility factors — structure, duty, controls, electrification, safeguarding obligations and site support capability.

Where supplier proposals already exist, we review them independently: what is included, what is excluded, what is assumed, what is warranted and what the owner will still be responsible for after handover. The deliverable is an owner-side opinion you can act on, not a specification we then sell you the equipment for.

CAG remains vendor-neutral. We do not endorse manufacturers or accept referral fees, and every recommendation is checked against CSA B167, ASME B30 and other applicable standards before it is proposed.

Standards referencedCSA B167, CMAA 70/74, ASME B30.2, ASME B30.16, ASME B30.17, ASME B30.20 / BTH-1.

Frequently Asked