Protecting Your Crane: How to Avoid Counterfeit Parts

Quality crane parts are essential, but fake components—often mimicking genuine ones—threaten operations with inferior materials and engineering. Here's how to identify counterfeits and ensure safety.

Crane reliability hinges on every component. A single counterfeit part can cause failures, downtime, or safety risks. Quality crane parts are essential, but fake components—often mimicking genuine ones—threaten operations with inferior materials and engineering.

Here’s how to identify counterfeits and ensure safety.

1. Trust Your Supplier

Source parts from a reputable crane parts supplier with verified credentials and transparent operations.

Avoid:

  • Suppliers lacking contact details
  • Unprofessional websites
  • Suspiciously low prices

Vet every crane parts supplier before purchasing.

2. Check Packaging

Quality crane parts come in branded, sealed packaging with accurate labels.

Inspect:

  • Logos for consistency
  • Labels for errors or missing numbers
  • Barcodes or serial codes

Generic packaging signals a fake.

3. Assess Materials

Counterfeits often use substandard materials, noticeable in weight or finish.

Evaluate:

  • Weight compared to genuine parts
  • Surface for defects or rough edges
  • Color or coating quality

Discrepancies indicate a problem.

4. Verify Markings

Quality crane parts have etched part numbers, logos, or codes.

Confirm:

  • Correct part numbers
  • Durable, etched markings
  • No typos or font issues

Inconsistent markings suggest counterfeits.

5. Question Low Prices

Quality Manitowoc crane parts reflect their engineering. Deep discounts often mean fakes, risking costly failures.

6. Request Documentation

A reliable crane parts supplier provides OEM certifications, quality reports, and warranties.

Ask for:

  • Authenticity proof
  • Compliance documents
  • Warranty terms

No documents? No trust.

7. Use Field Feedback

Operators may spot issues like poor fit or early failure.

Encourage:

  • Reporting part anomalies
  • Logging failures and sources
  • Tracking supplier patterns

Feedback catches fakes early.

8. Commit to OEM

Non-OEM parts disrupt crane performance. Quality crane parts from OEM sources ensure reliability.

Conclusion

Counterfeit parts endanger cranes and crews. Partner with a trusted crane parts supplier, inspect rigorously, and prioritize quality crane parts to maintain safety and efficiency.

Quick Checklist: ✅ Source from verified suppliers
✅ Check packaging and markings
✅ Assess materials
✅ Avoid cheap deals
✅ Secure documentation
✅ Monitor feedback
✅ Use OEM parts