So Many Cranes—Which One Should You Choose?
If you are in the manufacturing industry, you may wonder what type of crane would be best for your business. There are many different types to choose from, but these types can be broken down into two major groups: overhead cranes and mobile cranes. Here is a comparison of several of the cranes in each of these categories and the areas where they would be most beneficial.
Overhead Cranes
Overhead cranes are made of a hoist attached to a length of track that runs over a work area. Generally speaking, their mobility is limited to an immediate area, but they are perfect for repetitive lifting associated with factory work or warehousing. There are three major types of overhead cranes.
Bridge Cranes—This type of crane is attached to the ceiling of a building, and used to move heavy objects from one side of a room to another. They resemble a large skill-crane game, and are limited to the space within the room. Bridge cranes are well-suited to manufacturing work, and can improve the automation of many repetitive tasks.
Gantry Cranes—These overhead cranes are often smaller and more portable than bridge cranes, but they are limited in the the height and weight of the items that they can lift. Gantry cranes are composed of a crossbeam with a hoist on it, supported by two parallel beams, and sometimes include wheels to make them easier to move from one area of a shop to another. This type of crane is great for automotive work, and can be used to lift engines and other heavy parts in order to work on them.
Jib Cranes—This type of crane consists of a length of track attached to a single pivoting post. Jib cranes are capable of moving an object anywhere within the area surrounding them, but are still limited to their immediate area. This type of crane is often used in port and yard work where heavy loads need to be moved from a dock or shipping area to a manufacturing area.
Mobile Cranes
Mobile cranes are heavy machinery and are often used in construction projects, because they are able to be driven to different areas of a construction site. There are two major types of mobile cranes.
Truck Mounted Cranes—This type of outdoor crane consists of a crane arm attached to the bed of a semi-truck, with a small cab. This type of crane is ideal for smaller, hard-to-reach lifting jobs, because the truck design allows for easier access to areas that are not directly underneath the area where a crane would need to be placed.
Crawler Cranes—While similar to truck mounted cranes, this type of crane uses a crawler system similar to a military tank. This type of design allows the crane to be maneuvered over rougher types of terrain, such as a pit or other dirt surface.
Depending on the type of industry that you are in, and the area where you need a crane, there is a perfect type of crane for your job. By understanding the different types and features of each, you can choose the one that best suits your needs. Learn more by consulting with local professionals such as American Equipment Inc.