Why Is My Casket Lowering Device Hesitating or Stopping While Lowering?
Updated: 1 day ago
A casket lowering device should descend smoothly and continuously at a controlled rate. If it begins hesitating, pausing, stopping and starting, or repeatedly hanging at the same rotational point during lowering, that is different from a device that simply lowers slower than normal.
That distinction matters because “too slow” and “hesitating” describe two different operating behaviors.
What Does Hesitation Look Like?
Hesitation is when the lowering device begins its descent but does not continue smoothly through the cycle.
Cemetery personnel may notice that the device lowers normally and then briefly pauses, repeatedly stops and starts during descent, or repeatedly hangs or hesitates when the device reaches the same rotational point.
The important thing is to describe what the device actually did, rather than trying to determine which internal part caused it.
Hesitating Is Different From Simply Lowering Too Slowly
A device that is consistently moving, but moving slower than it normally does, is presenting differently from one that repeatedly pauses or stops during the cycle.
A slow device may continue moving throughout the entire descent, just at a reduced rate.
A hesitating device may lower normally, reach a certain rotational position and hesitate or hang, continue past it, and then show the same behavior again when that same rotational point comes back around.
That difference is useful information when service is requested.
Pay Attention to Whether It Hangs at the Same Rotational Point
One particularly useful observation is whether the hesitation occurs at the same rotational point each time the device passes through that position.
A device may begin lowering normally, reach a certain rotational position and hesitate or hang, continue past it, and then show the same behavior again when that point comes back around.
That is different from a device that slows down generally throughout the entire lowering cycle or hesitates randomly at different places.
Cemetery personnel do not need to determine what internal component corresponds with that position. Simply recognizing and reporting that the hesitation repeats at the same rotational point is useful information for a technician during inspection.
It is also useful to note whether a new sound, increased resistance, change in lowering speed, or another operating symptom occurs at the same time.
Proper Maintenance Still Matters
If the lowering device is overdue for normal maintenance, make sure the equipment has received the proper lubrication required by the manufacturer.
However, if proper maintenance and lubrication have been performed and the device continues hesitating or stopping during descent, there may be another underlying condition that needs inspection.
Repeatedly adding more lubricant is not the next step if the original problem remains.
Do Not Force the Device Through the Hesitation
If the lowering device pauses or resists movement, do not repeatedly force the mechanism in an attempt to make it continue through the cycle.
Likewise, repeatedly cycling the device until it happens to complete one normal descent does not necessarily establish that an intermittent problem has disappeared.
If the device has demonstrated repeated hesitation or unpredictable stop-start operation, the reason for that change should be identified before the equipment is relied on under load.
When Should It Be Removed From Service?
A lowering device should be removed from normal use if hesitation is accompanied by binding or significant resistance, grinding or another abnormal mechanical sound, jerking or slipping, an unexpected change in lowering speed, brake-control problems, a complete stop during the lowering cycle, or behavior that makes the next cycle unpredictable.
The more serious point is predictability. Cemetery personnel should be able to expect the device to perform smoothly and consistently when it is placed into service.
A Normal Cycle Afterward Does Not Always Mean the Problem Is Gone
Intermittent operating problems can be difficult because the device may hesitate during one cycle and appear completely normal during the next.
If a device has repeatedly demonstrated abnormal stop-start operation, one successful cycle should not automatically be treated as proof that the problem has corrected itself.
That history is useful information during inspection.
The Bottom Line
If a casket lowering device begins hesitating, stopping and starting, or repeatedly hanging at the same rotational point during descent, identify what the behavior actually looks like.
Determine whether it is consistently slow or truly stopping and starting, note whether the hesitation repeats at the same rotational point, and pay attention to any sound, resistance, or other operating change occurring at the same time.
Make sure normal manufacturer-required maintenance and lubrication are current. If the hesitation remains or the device becomes unpredictable, remove it from service and have the condition inspected rather than forcing or repeatedly cycling the device.
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