Choosing a new crane

Overhead cranes, or bridge cranes, serve a wide variety of industries and they are generally designed in four primary configurations. Determining the best set-up for your operations depends on your required capacity, duty class and lifting height, and on whether you&#;re installing the crane in a new or existing building.

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As you go about determining the types of overhead cranes required for your needs and facility, here&#;s what you should keep in mind.

Top running or under running

The two primary configuration options for overhead cranes are top running and under running (also called underhung). On a top-running crane, the end truck rides on top of the runway beam. On an under-running crane, the end truck rides on the lower flange of the runway beam. Each has their advantages.

An underhung crane typically allows much better end approach for the hoist. That is, it allows the hoist to get closer to the end truck or end of the runway than is possible with a top running crane. Underhung cranes tend to be more cost effective than top running cranes. Also, if your operation calls for you to be able to transfer hoists along bridges to interconnected monorails, you need to have an underhung style of overhead crane.

A top-running crane has the advantage of generally being able to lift heavier loads than underhung cranes. Additionally, a top-running crane offers greater headroom than an under-running crane.

Single girder or double girder

The other two configuration options for cranes are single girder or double girder, both of which can be used with either top or under-running overhead cranes.

As you might expect, double-girder cranes support higher capacities, but are more expensive. Additionally, double-girder designs typically allow greater hook height than single-girder designs, as the hoist can be mounted on top of the bridge rather than underneath.

Single-girder cranes, meanwhile, cost less but generally have lower capacities than double-girder cranes. On single-girder cranes, the hoist always rides the bottom of the crane girder in both top-running and underhung configurations. This creates a bigger operating envelope for the hoist and is a solution for applications where headroom is not a limitation.

New or existing building

Another major consideration for determining the most appropriate types of overhead cranes for your operations is whether you&#;re equipping a new or existing building. With an existing building you&#;ll have to work with the available clearances and choose the configuration accordingly. With a new building you have greater flexibility, so long as you involve a crane provider early in the planning process. A crane provider can help you save on building costs by designing a crane that provides the coverage you need, while making the building no higher than necessary to accommodate the crane.

At Mathews Mechanical, we understand how important it is to find the right crane for your project. With years of experience designing, installing, inspecting, maintaining, and servicing cranes, we&#;ve seen them all and are committed to helping our customers find the proper crane.

From gantry cranes to jib cranes, bridge cranes and more, there are numerous cranes to evaluate for your job. How do you find the right one for your needs? And what&#;s important to consider?

Take a look at these important pieces to consider in the crane selection process and what comes after you&#;ve found the right fit.

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Four Essential Aspects in the Crane Selection Process

1. Location

If you&#;re looking for a crane system to sit stationary inside your warehouse, a workstation bridge or jib crane might work best. On the other hand, if portability is important, there are lightweight gantry cranes that can support your project. We&#;ve installed countless cranes for use within a warehouse. &#;Gantry cranes are great because they&#;re fully mobile, therefore requiring less infrastructure,&#; says Mathews Mechanical General Manager Jared Mathews. &#;They require less of a permanent investment than larger, permanent systems.&#; Gantry cranes offer up to a 15-ton lifting capacity and beyond, but are completely mobile, which makes them a more versatile choice.

2. Weight Capacity

In order to be effective, you need a crane with the lifting capacity of your loads. While using a high-capacity crane may seem like a catch-all for loads of all sizes, using it for small loads can waste time and money. On the other side of the equation, a low-capacity crane for large loads can cause workplace accidents. Selecting the right size for your loads is essential. 

3. Height

Just as important as the weight is the height of your loads. The length of the crane will need to fit the size of your loads. When determining the height of our crane, it&#;s important to take the height of the load being lifted into consideration, to ensure the crane can lift the intended load over any obstacles and into its intended position safely. 

4. Movement

Cranes can be chosen by the type of movement capabilities you need. &#;Would you prefer manual move or power travel?&#; Jared asks. &#;Do you want to push it by hand or by controller?&#; If the way you move your crane makes a difference, you&#;ll want this qualification to be a top priority.  

Here at Mathews Mechanical, we want to make sure our customers end up with the right crane for their needs. &#;It&#;s all about understanding the application for the customer and helping them decide whether a gantry crane or overhead bridge crane is right,&#; Jared explains.

Crane Assembly and Installation

Once you&#;ve chosen the right crane for your project, it comes time for crane assembly and installation. While this step in the process can be a big step, it doesn&#;t have to be one you go after on your own. &#;We assemble and install a number of crane brands from Demag to GORBEL and SPANCO,&#; Jared shares. &#;In some cases, we&#;ll also modify or customize cranes for individual customers.&#; 

Our expert installation teams are prepared to meet your crane installation goals. From start to finish, your team of Mathews Mechanical installers manage crane projects and follow up to ensure satisfactory project completion. 

Let&#;s explore several types of cranes we regularly install:

• Jib Cranes: Jib cranes are floor mounted cranes with a rotating jib arm, which offer lifting assistance within radius of the jib arm. 

• Bridge Cranes: Bridge cranes offer flexibility with the ability to be ceiling mounted, freestanding/floor mounted, or hybrid. With travel on a runway or bridge, these cranes deliver lifting assistance within the crane runway (the rails, beams, brackets, and framework on which a crane operates) or bridge.

• Gantry Cranes: Typically mounted on the floor, gantry cranes traditionally travel on wheels the length of a track (or without a track) to enable lifting assistance.

Crane Maintenance and Repair

How will you care for your crane after the installation is complete? In order to stay compliant with OSHA standards, as well as ensure safety for those who operate the crane, maintaining safety features is important for the entire life of the crane. That&#;s why at Mathews Mechanical we offer preventative maintenance service agreements to prevent issues before failures occur. Our customers love maximizing up-time and reducing mechanical breakdowns. 

The industrial maintenance team at Mathews Mechanical saves our customers valuable time and money by maintaining equipment on a recurring schedule. 

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