Somers Handling

Keeping equipment in service

Repair, servicing and modernisation of lifting equipment.

Planned servicing, fault repair, structural refurbishment and capability upgrades for lifting equipment that's getting old but isn't ready to be replaced.

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Somers service engineers refurbishing a yellow crane beam on the workshop floor.

The right time to think about lifting-equipment servicing is before it breaks, not after. Somers Handling runs planned servicing, fault repair, structural refurbishment and control-system modernisation programmes for UK industrial clients — often on equipment we didn’t originally build.

The commercial question we get asked most is “is it worth fixing, or is it time to replace?” — and the honest answer varies by equipment type, condition and what the site’s doing with it. We carry out condition surveys with written reports so the decision is data-driven, not opinion-driven.

What we deliver

Scope of service.

Planned preventive maintenance

Scheduled servicing visits tailored to equipment type, duty cycle and operating environment — with reports and action-tracking.

Breakdown and fault repair

Response to unplanned faults on jib cranes, overhead cranes, tongs, lifters and lifting jacks — typically next-day or same-week.

Structural refurbishment

Structural inspection, weld repair, paint-system renewal and proof-load re-test — returning older equipment to a full service life.

Control-system modernisation

Upgrade of legacy relay logic to modern PLC control, with wireless pendants, variable-speed drives and condition monitoring.

Capacity and capability upgrades

Where possible, increasing SWL, extending travel, adding automation or changing the operating envelope of existing equipment — supported by full engineering assessment.

How it works

Typical engagement.

Most engagements follow the sequence below — timelines scale to the scope and complexity of the work.

  1. Inspection

    Condition survey of the equipment, including structural, mechanical, electrical and control-system assessment.

  2. Scope + quote

    Written report with photographs, findings and options — from minimal make-good to full modernisation. Fixed-price for each option.

  3. Work execution

    Repair or upgrade work carried out on-site or in our works — typically staged around planned downtime windows.

  4. Retest and handover

    Proof-load retest, functional test, documentation update and return to service.

Accreditations & standards

Competence and compliance.

  • LOLER thorough examination competent persons
  • Qualified welders (BS EN ISO 9606-1)
  • BS EN 13155 / LEEA 059

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Automatic gravity scissor tongs

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Repairs, servicing and modernisation — frequently asked questions

At what point is repair no longer cost-effective?

It depends on the equipment's structural condition, the cost of the specific repair, and whether the design still meets current needs. We give honest opinions: if replacement is better value over the asset life, we'll say so. Typical indicators that repair is the wrong answer include cracked or fatigued structural members, obsolete safety systems that can't be retrofitted, and capacity changes the existing design can't support.

Can you service equipment we didn't originally supply?

Yes, regularly. We service cranes, jib cranes, tongs and lifters from a wide range of manufacturers — UK, European and imported. We'll need the original nameplate data and where possible the manufacturer's documentation; if neither is available we'll work from measurements and an engineering assessment.

Do you carry out LOLER thorough examinations as part of a service contract?

Yes — LOLER thorough examinations are usually bundled with planned servicing, with the competent-person report, identified defects and any recommended actions provided at visit close-out.

How fast can you respond to a breakdown?

For priority customers under a service contract, typical response is next working day to site. Ad-hoc breakdown response is usually within a week, faster where we have engineers in the region. For production-critical equipment, a service contract with a committed response window is usually the right answer.

Need help with repairs, servicing and modernisation?

Send a short description of what you need and a Somers engineer will respond within one working day.

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