Frequently Asked Questions

What type of crane is most appropriate?

Many considerations go into determining which type of crane best meets your needs. The following are just a few aspects to consider:

Lifting Area. Bridge cranes cover rectangular areas, while jib cranes cover circular areas.

Crane Suspension. Bridge cranes can be floor supported or hung from the ceiling. Jib cranes can be wall or pillar mounted and may require a special foundation.

Required Movement. An enclose track work station bridge crane provides consistent ease of operation over the full range of movement. Jib Cranes move more easily at the very end of the boom and are more difficult to move as the load approaches the pivot point.

Should the crane be manual or motorized?

If the operator cannot control the load throughtout the operation (for instance over a vat, pit or other inaccessible area), then the crane should be motorized. Otherwise, in most cases a manual work station crane is best.

Manual enclosed track work station cranes are lightweight and offer ease of movement and can often do the job faster than motorized cranes.

What type of suspension: free standing or ceiling mounted?

Free standing (floor-supported) systems:

  • Aleviate stress on the buildings overhead structure.
  • Offer straightforward installation.
  • Can usually be relocated.
  • Require a reinforced concrete floor of at least 6 inches.

Ceiling mounted systems: 

  • Keep floor space clear of supporting steel.
  • Require a building with an adequate overhead structure.

What capacity, bridge length and height?

The general rule is "less is more."

Capacities. Work station Cranes are designed with an adequate safety factor. If you "over-buy capacity," the operator will need to move extra bridge dead weight, which would not be a good ergonomic solution.

Bridge Length. The less dead weight an operator has to move, the better. Short bridge lengths are better for higher-cycle production areas. Longer bridges are acceptable for lower-production cycle or maintenance areas.

Bridge Height. Keeping the trolley saddle (TS) height less than 14 feet is desirable because it makes it easier to control and position the load.

Can the operator safely move the load?

A work cell should be designed so a task can be performed by 90% or the workers. A worker should not exceed 33% of his or her capacity; otherwise, the risk of chronic fatigue increases

To help determine if your worker can safely move the required loads, refer to "Increasing Productivity and Safety in Manual Overhead Bridge Crane Operation" by Shealy and Stibitz ©1993, which is available through Atlantic Crane, Incorporated.

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