In the United States, cranes have become quite common on construction sites when heavy lifting is involved. Many types of cranes exist to fit different needs; cranes are also present in manufacturing plants and commercial industry.
Overhead Bridge Cranes
Overhead bridge cranes Chattanooga generally come in two different variations. Used primarily in industrial settings, this type of crane looks like a bridge, with two beams holding up a larger beam that runs horizontal to the ground. The lifting mechanism runs horizontally across the “bridge” to move items from one place to the next. There are a few different types of bridge cranes on the market: gantry cranes and jib cranes.
Gantry Crane
The first type of overhead crane is a gantry crane. Gantry cranes are supported by an A-frame and are moveable across tracks. They can also have caster wheels so that the location can be adjusted as needed. These cranes are often seen in shipyards, helping to move cargo off of boats.
Jib Crane
A jib crane is different from a gantry crane in that this type of crane is permanently installed, either mounted to a ceiling, floor, or wall. The arm of the crane, also called the jib, has an assigned movement that is repeated over and over again. A jib crane can be programmed to work precisely as needed in any industrial setting.
Freestanding Cranes
Freestanding cranes are sometimes called workstation cranes. Used in locomotive repair shops, the trolley wheels of the crane move about from above, embedded in an enclosed track, helping heavy parts to move seamlessly from one location to the next.
Monorail Crane
A monorail crane is often used in assembly-line industries like automotive manufacturing or shipbuilding. Monorail cranes are used for a specific purpose within a factory setting and can move around curves if designed to do so.
Bulk Handling Crane
The bulk-handling crane is used for lifting large volume items like coal and scrap metal. Equipped with a large claw-like feature at the end of its jib, bulk handling cranes can grab ahold of large amounts of heavy materials.
Hammerhead Crane
A hammerhead crane is what many people think of when they think of a crane; it is a structure that has the ability to pivot around 360 degrees and has a trolley-like mechanism to move heavy items back and forth. These cranes are extremely heavy and are for the toughest jobs around. They usually are assembled on-site because the pieces of this crane are so heavy.
From stationary cranes to adjustable cranes, the crane industry offers multiple options. Knowing what functions are needed from the crane is the first step in making an appropriate selection.
