Industrial Crane Systems
Safe and Efficient Lifting with Industrial Cranes
There are four basic types of cranes. Let’s break down the key differences:
Bridge Cranes (aka Overhead Cranes, Workstation Cranes, EOT Cranes)
A bridge crane—often called a workstation or overhead crane—is a powerful lifting system designed to move heavy loads across a rectangular workspace using an overhead structure. It consists of a moving bridge that runs across parallel runways. On the bridge, there is commonly attached a hoist or other lifting devices such as a manipulator or intelligent lifting device that travels across the bridge.
These cranes are common in industrial settings like warehouse storage, auto assembly lines, heavy equipment repair, metal manufacturing, concrete manufacturing, powerplants, shipbuilding, aviation, plastic injection molding, and transportation because they allow precise and safe handling of materials without taking up valuable floor space. Workstation bridge cranes and monorails can be used individually or can be readily adapted for applications that are more sophisticated by the addition of extra monorail tracks, curves, and transfers that can be easily configured into a total system.
Monorail Cranes
If you have an operation which moves material repetitively from one point to another along a single linear path, a monorail crane system is for you! The monorail hoist and trolley run on a single stationary beam—a cost-effective alternative to a bridge or gantry crane for applications that require limited lifting capacity.
Monorails are a highly versatile lifting device that can have curves, switches, turntables and can even connect to overhead bridge cranes or conveyors. Manufacturers commonly utilize these cranes to relocate materials or products within a restricted location, as opposed to throughout an entire building.
A monorail crane is a great solution for:
- Assembly operations
- Transport of materials to workstations
- Product lines where parts are blasted, painted, or coated.
Monorails also serve as a material handling alternative in places that cannot accommodate a bridge crane. These fixed path systems are great for environments where material needs to move in a straight line. Monorails can also be interlocked with underhung bridge cranes to create a seamless workflow. Monorail cranes provide only two axes of hook movement: up/down via the hoist and forward/back via the monorail beam. If your application requires lateral motion, you’ll want to consider a bridge crane and/or gantry crane.
Gorbel Monorail & GS Series Electric Chain Hoists
Jib Cranes
Jib Cranes lift and transport materials in semi-circles (180 degrees) or full circles (360 degrees) around their support structure. These jib cranes can also be used to “hand-off” materials to adjacent workstations. Hoists, manipulators, or balancers can be installed on the jibs’ booms. Articulating jib cranes have booms with two axes so they can reach around obstacles, such as columns. Jib cranes can quickly fold out of the way of overhead cranes, making them deal for localized lifting needs. These cranes are fixed to a wall or floor and offer a range of motion, making them perfect for jobs requiring frequent, repetitive lifting within a specific radius.
Jib cranes are primarily used for repetitive lifting tasks in small work areas, facilitating material handling by precisely positioning heavy loads within confined spaces, particularly for loading and unloading operations, assembly lines, maintenance tasks, and transferring materials between workstations within a production facility; making them ideal for applications like warehouses, manufacturing plants, foundries, and machine shops where precise placement of components is crucial.
Gorbel Jib Crane Videos
Gantry Cranes
A gantry crane is a crane built atop a structure used to straddle an object or workspace – and is often referred to as a mobile lifting solution. They can range from enormous “full” gantry cranes, capable of lifting some of the heaviest loads in the world, to small shop cranes, used for tasks such as lifting automobile engines out of vehicles. They are also called portal cranes, the “portal” being the empty space straddled by the gantry.
Gantry cranes are typically used for lifting capability below existing overhead bridge crane systems, like lifting and transporting large components in manufacturing, assembly lines, shipbuilding, construction sites, warehouses, rail yards, and mining operations, allowing for efficient movement of items like steel beams, concrete blocks, machinery parts, and aircraft components across a wide range of industries like automotive, aerospace, metal fabrication, and concrete manufacturing. A gantry crane does not need to be tied into a building’s support structure—eliminating the need for permanent runway beams and support columns – and can be stored out of the way when not needed. Offering flexibility where overhead structures aren’t an option, gantry cranes are portable and easy to position, making them ideal for construction sites or temporary job setups.
Gorbel Fixed and Adjustable Gantry Crane Videos
Basic questions to ask when selecting a crane
1. What is the size and shape of the work area you are looking to cover?
Remember, bridge/workstation cranes cover a square or rectangular area, monorails cover a linear area, and jib cranes cover a semi-circle or circular area.
2. Does the crane need to be manual or motorized?
When load weight or operation frequency makes manual rotation non-economical, impractical, or unsafe motorized rotation may be the answer.
3. What is the type and extent of structural support available?
Floor supported, ceiling mounted, or wall/column mounted. In environments where the floor or structure has limited load capacity, lighter cranes or models that distribute load effectively may be necessary to avoid damaging the building’s structure. Ceilings, walls, columns, and/or floors may need to be reinforced to accommodate the crane that best meets your needs.
4. What is the capacity of the load?
Lifting and moving product that weighs 200 lbs. would only require a 250 lb. bridge – don’t go overboard with a 500 lb. bridge.
5. What is the crane’s environment?
Consider factors such as indoor vs. outdoor use, temperature extremes, high humidity or corrosive environments, dusty or explosive environments.
6. How will the crane be used in daily operation?
Daily lift count; duration of operation (long shifts or continuous use vs. average workday); horizontal and vertical reach; precision of movement (do you have precise load positioning requirements?); ease of use for operator (a user-friendly control system for repetitive tasks to reduce fatigue and improve efficiency); built-in safety features (like anti-sway technology, overload protection, emergency stops, and collision avoidance in high-traffic areas); where will the crane fit in the facility’s workflow (feeding materials into a production line, loading/unloading trucks, stacking heavy materials in storage areas, etc.); what is its’ compatibility with existing equipment (does it need to integrate with conveyors, forklifts, or other material handling systems as this could impact the crane’s height, maneuverability, and speed); initial investment vs. long-term costs; expansion (can the crane be easily reconfigured or relocated if necessary?).
For your convenience, we’ve assembled a comparison chart of the various crane systems offered by our preferred suppliers.
Overall, a crane system can make operations faster, safer, and more cost-effective while providing employees with a safer and more supportive work environment since our crane systems meet all OSHA standards for material handling. This investment leads to both immediate gains and long-term improvements in operational efficiency, safety, and morale.
From design consultation to onsite project management and installation, W.W. Cannon can help design a crane system that maximizes safety and optimizes employee productivity – and meets your budget needs and timeline. Did we mention that we have decades of experience navigating the permitting and code compliance process? Mismanagement of these issues can lead to project delays, emphasizing the importance of our expertise in handling them effectively. We also install and service everything we sell. today and let one of our experts help you configure the right crane system for your application – on time and within your budget.
Bridge Cranes (Overhead/Workstation/EOT Cranes)
• Ideal for precise material handling without occupying floor space.
• Common in warehouses, auto assembly, heavy equipment repair, and manufacturing.
• Can be configured with monorails, curves, and transfers for a complete system.
Jib Cranes
• Fixed to wall or floor, ideal for localized, repetitive tasks.
• Used in warehouses, assembly lines, and small work areas requiring precision.
• Articulating options allow reaching around obstacles and “hand-off” to adjacent workstations.
Monorail Cranes
• Cost-effective for operations needing limited lifting capacity.
• Used in assembly, workstation transport, and production lines.
• Great for facilities with straight-line load paths or areas with limited space.
Gantry Cranes
• Ranges from small shop cranes to large models for outdoor applications.
• Ideal for construction sites, temporary setups, and where overhead structures aren’t an option.
• Great for lifting heavy components in construction, shipbuilding, and manufacturing.
Preferred Suppliers
Product Documents
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