When purchasing a crane, a common question is regarding the required capacity when starting the purchasing process. While this is a reasonable place to start, it is not the most critical first question, as capacity alone is only useful to a point. A crane that has a five tonne capacity is not always going to be able to lift five tonnes. There are situations that involve awkward or difficult loads, large lift radii, or instances where the crane is under significant working stress everyday of the week.
The first important question to ask is: what will the crane be used to do?
The loads, including weight, dimensions, and centre of gravity are important to consider, as well as the lift height, distance, and travel frequency (once it is airborne) and the lift frequency. A crane designed to be used in a maintenance workshop where only occasional lifts are expected is designed completely differently to a crane that will be used in a production environment where lifts are being conducted in a busy factory, even when the conditions are the same.
Overhead vs Mobile
When it comes to fixed industrial applications, an overhead bridge crane that travels on rails is often the most effective option. This crane type covers the entire usable floor space, maintains a clear floor space in the bay, and performs well when used in repetitive tasks. The downside is the overhead bridge crane’s high initial investment including the structural steel, electrical work, and possibly structural surveys of the building. This crane type is also permanent. It is not a decision to take lightly, especially when considering industrial operations that may change significantly in the near future.
Mobile and portable gantry cranes reduce the coverage area in exchange for increased flexibility. The cranes are portable, so they can be moved and repositioned. For lifting needs that sprawl over multiple sites or for work patterns where a permanent fixture does not make sense, these cranes make the most sense. Additionally, the cost of mobile cranes and portable gantry cranes is an order of magnitude lower than that of fixed cranes, and so is the cost of installation.
For workstation applications such as machine feeding or fixed point material handling, Jib cranes are a good option. When the lifting requirement is truly localized, a wall or floor-mounted jib that can swing around the support point in 180 or 360 degrees is often the most economical solution.
Capacity and duty
The Safe Working Load (SWL) is the maximum amount the crane is rated for. A good rule of thumb is to size the crane so that your average working load is no greater than 80% of that figure. Running any crane at or near its rated maximum will shorten its working life and increase the possibility of an accident.
Without doubt, duty classification is the most common area where purchasers get it wrong. Cranes are classified from D1 (light, infrequent use) to D6 and beyond for heavy duty industrial use, according to how intensively they are designed to work. A crane sold for your load weight may not be sold for your usage pattern. Always take the D class into account and be truthful about how frequent the crane will be operational.
Headroom and span
In the case of overhead cranes, it is essential that you get the measurements correct first time. The span of the runway rails and the hook height (maximum distance from floor to hook) are both determined by the structural elements of your building and once the crane is installed will be difficult to change, so take the time to measure correctly and consider all obstructions. The crane manufacturer will require all of these measurements in order to correctly design the installation.
Purchasing Second-Hand
If you’re working with a limited budget, you may consider purchasing a second-hand crane. Proceeding with buying a second-hand crane comes with certain risks. Demand to see a copy of the most recent full LOLER examination (for the Trust Examination of Lifting Equipment). If the seller did a full examination, they should have the report on file. Additionally, have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified person. Is there documented evidence of steelwork/ cranes with cracks, corrosion, or previous repair? This is especially pertinent for cranes that have operated in extreme environments (foundries, chemical plants, coastal sites, etc.) as the evidence for degradation can be difficult to see from a superficial inspection.
Costs of Installation
You need to include installation costs in the budget besides the crane. This includes runway steelwork, power supply, control systems, end stops, etc. and the initial LOLER examination. A quote for a crane that is cheaper than all of the competitors may have installation or services during construction/ ancillaries included in the competitors costs excluded. Therefore, be sure to request a price for a fully installed, commissioned system.
The first time lifting equipment is put into use, it is a requirement under LOLER to have it inspected by a qualified person. New equipment guidelines are usually covered by the documentation from the supplier. However, for used equipment, prior to installation at a new site, a new thorough examination is required unless a current report accompanies the used equipment.
Choosing a supplier
A good supplier will want to understand your application first. If the conversation jumps straight to a model and no one has asked what you are lifting, how often, and in what context, that’s concerning. Ask for full technical documentation, UK supply compliance, and clarity on post-sale support (parts availability, service engineers, and in the event that something goes wrong soon after installation).