There's A Crane For Every Heavy Lifting Job

By Author: Damo Nieheal
Total Articles: 61
Comment this article

There are many different types of cranes, each with its own function. You can use a crane for just about any job in which something heavy needs to be moved from one place to another.

An overhead crane is often used in factory situations where loads need to be moved up and down a line, such as paper mills, auto factories and steel mills. In the overhead crane, the lifting mechanism is a hoist from which a hook and line hangs. Hoists can be either electric chain hoists or wire rope hoists. The hoist moves up and down a beam, the ends of which in turn are mounted on two tracks that run the length of the industrial facility. Since the beam allows movement along the width of the space and the tracks allow movement along its length, this overhead crane mechanism permits the movement of loads over the entire area.

Another design which has many industrial applications is the jib crane. In cranes of this type, the hoist can move along a horizontal beam called a jib that is mounted on a wall or a vertical pillar. A wide assortment of jib cranes are available, designed for different space requirements and work layouts. In ...
... some of the pillar-mounted types, the jib is capable of turning around the pillar, while in others it is fixed. There are portable jib cranes in which the mounting pillar is capable of moving around an industrial facility so loads can be moved about within an individual work station or from one work area to another.

Just as it is important to have the right crane overhead for the job, it is also important to use the right accessories. The most important of these to the operation of the crane is a load limiting device. This is critical to prevent the crane from lifting a load that is above its capacity, possibly resulting in expensive damage. The device consists of a small metal cell attached to the lifting line of the crane. The application of weight "deforms" the metal cell, and when the weight reaches the desired limit it triggers a microswitch that turns off the crane. The weight limit can be reset using an adjustable pin.

Other accessories include various attachments that hang below the lifting hook. Heavy lifting beams, some with convenient hooks for hanging objects, are essential for some jobs. In other functions a hook attached to a scale is what's needed. There are also magnets that hang under the crane's hook for metal loads. The crane company can offer advice on which accessories are needed for each job and location.

An economical way to get an overhead crane is to assemble it yourself. Some crane manufacturers sell their products in kits, and will offer technical assistance to those who want to assemble their own. Of course, for those who do not have the space or time, manufacturers will also fully assemble a unit and deliver it to the site.

Hoosier Crane is your source for overhead cranes, overhead crane kits, jib cranes, crane replacement parts, Chain Hoists, Electric Hoists, and crane accessories.
If you want to know more information,please visit our site:http://www.hoosiercrane.com