In a nuclear power plant, scheduled outages—often called turnarounds—are high-pressure operations with tight timelines and no room for error. These events typically occur every 18–24 months and require precision, coordination, and reliability across all systems. Cranes play a central role in keeping things moving—handling some of the largest and most sensitive equipment in the plant.
To support this work, American Crane & Equipment Corporation offers specialized Plant Outage Crane Support Services, helping facilities plan, execute, and recover with confidence.
Here’s a step-by-step look at how crane systems support every phase of a nuclear outage—from early inspection to the final lift.
Pre-Outage Inspection and Planning
Long before an outage begins, planning teams assess the condition and readiness of each crane expected to be in service. This includes turbine hall cranes, reactor building units, auxiliary hoists, and any mobile or temporary equipment brought in for support.
In some facilities, specialized tools like American Crane’s Nuclear Telescopic Outage Jib Crane are brought in to support lifts in tight or high-clearance spaces. Designed for fast setup and breakdown during scheduled outages, this type of equipment expands a plant’s lifting capabilities while minimizing interference with other crews on site.
Typical pre-outage steps include:
- Performing mechanical and electrical checks by inspecting brakes, motors, wire ropes, and control systems.
- Completing load testing and certification to confirm compliance with site standards and national codes.
- Reviewing clearance and capacity by mapping out lift paths and identifying any upgrades or adjustments needed before work begins.
- Coordinating with crane service partners to stage pre-outage kits, spare parts, and on-site or standby technician support.
Experienced crane service providers like American Crane help streamline this phase, delivering the tools and expertise needed to minimize surprises once the outage is underway.
Outage Kickoff and Daily Checks
Once the outage starts, cranes are placed into high-demand service. Turbine cranes, in particular, often operate continuously—supporting removal and handling of rotors, valve components, and other large equipment.
To ensure smooth operation throughout:
- Pre-shift inspections are conducted daily.
- On-site or on-call technicians are ready to respond to any issues quickly.
- Spare parts and repair kits are kept close to the work zone to avoid delays.
With multiple teams and contractors working around the clock, reliable crane performance is key to maintaining progress and staying on schedule.
Precision Lifts and Equipment Handling
Some of the most challenging work happens mid-outage, when large or delicate components need to be moved, removed, or repositioned. Turbine rotors, generator parts, and reactor equipment all require careful planning and fine control.
Support during these lifts typically includes:
- Multiple safety checks involving QA/QC and plant engineering oversight
- Confirming rigging integrity and inspecting all slings and hardware
- Using load cells or sensors to monitor lifting tension in real time
- Fine-tuning control systems with soft start/stop functions and adjustable speeds for controlled movement
- Test driving crane systems to verify smooth acceleration and deceleration
- Continuous monitoring of lift paths and surrounding areas to avoid obstructions
Every lift must be smooth and steady. Even minor deviations can damage equipment or impact the broader maintenance schedule.
Adjustments and Repairs Mid-Outage
Outages are never without surprises. As equipment is opened up and inspected, crews may uncover damage or wear that wasn’t identified beforehand. Cranes themselves may also require mid-cycle maintenance or part swaps.
Common needs during this stage include:
- Replacing worn or damaged brake systems
- Installing new wire ropes or reeve if required
- Recalibrating VFDs or updating control settings
- Troubleshooting gearboxes, trolleys, or hoist drives
- Servicing trolley motors and VFDs as needed
- Consulting remote or OEM support if advanced help is needed
In these cases, having the right parts on hand—and knowledgeable technicians available—is one of the best ways to avoid extended downtime. Remote support from crane OEMs or engineering partners can also help solve problems quickly when in-plant teams need backup.
Post-Outage Support and Follow-Up
As major components are reinstalled and final alignments are completed, crane use begins to taper off—but support remains important.
End-of-outage work typically involves:
- Assisting with reinstalling covers, insulation, and panels
- Supporting final assembly placement, precise alignment, and positioning necessary for startup
- Performing post-use inspections and condition reports
- Documenting crane performance for outage records and compliance
- Flagging components for future service or upgrades
- Debriefing with crane service teams to capture lessons learned
Outage teams often use this window to make notes about crane condition and plan for any improvements before the next cycle.
Keeping the Schedule Moving
In nuclear turnarounds, timelines are tight and the work is complex. Cranes help keep the job moving—whether it’s day-one disassembly, a last-minute repair, or final close-out. When backed by proper planning, technical expertise, and responsive support, crane systems help outage teams stay focused, safe, and efficient.
Need crane support for your next nuclear outage? Our team has decades of experience supporting safe, efficient turnarounds with the parts, planning, and expertise you need to stay on schedule. Contact us today to start planning your next scheduled outage.