Warehouses are some of the most common places that you can find overhead cranes. Typically, warehouses are used for storing pallets or boxes filled with goods or materials. Oftentimes, these items are heavy or bulky, making them difficult to move. That is where cranes come into the picture. They make lifting objects like these a lot easier, allowing workers to do their jobs more quickly and efficiently.
There are a variety of different configurations for warehouse overhead cranes. If you are considering buying a crane like this for your warehouse, learning about the available options can help you decide which model to go with.
Bridge cranes are a popular choice for warehouse owners. These cranes are attached to the walls of the building via special runways. A heavy-duty beam or girder spans the building, stretching from one wall to the other. The girder travels along the runways, allowing it to be positioned over different parts of the warehouse floor.
A trolley with an attached hoist is used to lift items up off the ground. The trolley runs along the top of the girder or hangs down below it, depending on the design of the crane. The crane operator simply moves the girder to the proper part of the warehouse floor. Then, using the trolley, they fine-tune the position of the hoist so that it is perfectly centered over the load.
One of the benefits of using a crane like this is that it allows the entire warehouse floor to be used. No extra space needs to be left between the goods or materials since workers don’t have to worry about navigating with a forklift or any other type of lifting equipment. Instead, all of the work is done overhead.
Gantry cranes are also commonly used in warehouses. These freestanding cranes can be moved around on a set of wheels. That means that they can be used in any part of the warehouse, including areas that a bridge crane may not be able to reach. Small gantry cranes are often used for loading items onto waiting trucks, while larger gantry cranes may be used for stacking goods for storage.
Jib cranes are also sometimes found in warehouses. With these cranes, a horizontal arm known as a jib rotates around a central point. A trolley and hoist on the jib can be used to lift and move items underneath. In some situations, these cranes are installed on a pillar that is attached to the warehouse floor. In other cases, they are attached to the wall of the warehouse.
As you can see, there are a lot of different configurations for warehouse overhead cranes. Bridge cranes, gantry cranes, and jib cranes all have unique advantages and disadvantages. As you shop for a crane for your warehouse, consider how your space is set up and how you plan on storing or stacking your goods. Thinking through this information will make it easier for you to find a crane that is capable of performing the tasks that you need it to.