What Should You Never Do With a Casket Lowering Device?
Updated: 1 day ago
Casket lowering devices are substantial pieces of mechanical equipment, but they are not indestructible. They also perform one of the most important jobs at a graveside service.
Many costly repairs begin with improper handling, storage, operation, neglected maintenance, or attempts to work around a condition that should have been inspected.
Never improvise a crank handle with pliers
If the crank handle is missing, do not use pliers, locking pliers, or another gripping tool as a substitute. Improvised tools can damage the crank connection and turn a missing-handle problem into a more expensive repair. Keep a proper replacement or spare crank handle available instead.
Do not over-tighten the straps
A lowering device does not need to be cranked until the side rail tubes begin bowing or bending. The straps should take up normally and the device should operate as intended. If one strap remains loose or something does not look right, continuing to crank harder is not the solution. Frigid's published owner guidance warns that over-tightening the straps can warp the side rails over time and affect device performance.
Do not use the brake to compensate for abnormal lowering speed
The brake should not become the routine workaround for a device that is lowering abnormally fast. If normal descent can no longer be controlled the way it previously was, the lowering and speed-control system needs inspection.
Do not pressure-wash or soak the device
Cantrell's does not recommend pressure-washing or intentionally soaking a lowering device as a cleaning method. These devices should be cleaned in a way that does not unnecessarily introduce moisture into mechanical areas. If the equipment becomes wet during normal use or weather exposure, dry it rather than leaving it wet.
Do not leave the device outside unprotected
Weather exposure can turn a manageable repair into a much larger corrosion and serviceability problem. Frigid's published storage guidance says to store the lowering device upright, on the ground, and indoors, and to dry it if it becomes wet. Cantrell's recommends protecting lowering devices from unnecessary weather exposure whenever they are not in use.
Do not pile heavy cemetery equipment on top of the device
Do not place boards, tracks, tent equipment, or other heavy objects on top of a lowering device. Frigid's published owner guidance warns against placing heavy boards, cemetery equipment, or metal tracks on the device and against throwing or tossing the equipment because doing so can damage or compromise the lowering mechanism.
Do not use a lowering device to raise a casket back up or leave it unattended while in use
Frigid's published operating instructions state not to use the lowering device to raise a casket back up and not to leave the device unattended while it is in use. The equipment should be used only as intended and remain attended during operation.
Do not ignore new sounds or changes in operation
New grinding, clacking, binding, hesitation, unexpected speed, unusual crank feel, or another meaningful change from normal operation deserves attention. A change does not automatically identify the failed component, but it does tell you that something should be inspected. Continuing to use equipment that is behaving abnormally can allow a developing problem to become more serious.
Do not pack the heads with grease to make a noise disappear
Lubrication is maintenance. Using excessive grease to cover an abnormal sound is not a repair. If proper lubrication does not restore normal operation, the reason for the noise or operating change should be investigated.
Do not make unverified speed adjustments
A lowering device that is operating too fast, too slowly, or inconsistently should not be repeatedly adjusted by trial and error. An incorrect adjustment can create a different operating problem or make an existing condition harder to identify.
If you are unsure whether an adjustment is appropriate, get guidance or have the device inspected first. Lowering devices contain interconnected mechanical systems that need to operate correctly together, and Frigid's published instructions also warn against allowing unqualified personnel to work on the device.
Treat a casket lowering device like the specialized mechanical equipment that it is. Store it properly, handle it properly, use the correct controls and accessories, maintain it regularly, and pay attention when its normal operation changes. A small problem caught early is usually much easier to manage than a failure discovered at the graveside.
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