How to Choose an Overhead Crane

There are many options and factors to consider when you need an overhead crane in your workplace. Overhead cranes come in many different styles, including gantry cranes, overhead cranes, monorail cranes and jib cranes. These different styles of cranes are great for different types of applications, but there are other considerations to determine which specific crane or crane model is best for your application.
  Load Weight The first consideration seems obvious. You need a crane of the right capacity to lift your load. However, choosing the right capacity is more important than buying a crane with a load capacity greater than the maximum load weight. Load capacity that is too low presents significant risks; heavy loads can lead to failure and potential injury. On the other hand, a load capacity that is too high can slow down operations and waste time and money. It is important to use the correct capacity to maximize the utility of the crane. In addition, the type of load affects the necessary rated load; a container filled with liquid behaves differently than a solid object of the same weight and can cause influencing factors.

High-impact lifting equipment, such as magnetic jacks, may require additional capacity considerations. Knowing your capacity requirements and other factors will help you get the best crane for your application and value for money. Lift Height Lift height is another seemingly obvious consideration. Any crane you use should be able to reach at least the minimum height required for the lift. However, some elements may not immediately come to mind when planning for lift height. One of these additional factors is the size of the trolley and lifting equipment. If your crane only provides the minimum clearance required for your hoist, you may have problems because of the space required for your trolley, hoist gear and possibly hook-off hoisting equipment.

You must also consider the limitations of the work facility. If your facility has ceiling heights close to elevator height, you may want to consider special low profile options. Moving distance All overhead cranes are designed to move the load a certain distance. The length of the distance and the direction of travel will affect which crane is right for your application. If your moving distances are relatively small or limited to a single workspace, especially within a circular footprint, a jib crane may be the most efficient type of crane. For longer travel in any direction, the gantry provides the greatest range of motion.

A crane with some form of track or rail can be very effective if you need to move the load over greater distances or along a fixed path. Closed track monorail and bridge cranes allow long distance movement with little resistance, and gantry cranes can be equipped with track options for fixed path travel. Load weight, lift height and travel distance are a few major factors that influence the type of crane you choose to install.

You can contact Yuantai engineers to help you find the best Yuantai crane for your application according to different parameters. If you're not sure about the best solution, crane experts such as our regional sales managers can provide insight. Increase the efficiency and productivity of your material handling operations by choosing the best crane for your application.