The global tower crane rental market grew to a valuation of $6.49 billion in 2021. The USA was in the top three countries, and the construction industry accounted for 59.3% of all end-use markets.

The functionality offered by tower cranes is essential to most construction projects.

But with different types of tower cranes available, how do you choose the right one for your site?

Our guide will help you decide.

Luffing Jib Tower Cranes

The luffing jib tower crane, AKA a luffer, can be identified by its counterweight, set close to the cab. It also has an extended diagonal arm attached to the top of the mast at an angle. 

This arm can move from 30 degrees to vertical, enabling the operator to position the crane into tight spaces. It is common in dense urban environments due to its maneuverability and smaller slewing radius.

Another benefit of the luffing jib is its higher lifting capacity. It is capable of lifting more than the hammerhead tower crane.

Luffing jibs are ideal if tight spaces and heavy loads are key factors.

Yet this functionality comes at a cost. Luffing jib tower cranes are usually more expensive than hammerheads.

Hammerhead Tower Cranes

This is the most common tower crane in the USA. It has a long, horizontal jib, and the hook at the end can be racked anywhere along with it via a moving trolley that runs the length. This is unique to hammerheads.

The jib can rotate 360 degrees around the mast to reach any peripheral object. On the other side of the operator’s cab, a counterweight at the end of the counter jib balances the crane when lifting heavy objects. 

Hammerheads can have an A-shaped structure on top of the mast, connecting the jib and counter jib, known as an “A-frame,” or they can be flat on top.

A-frames have higher lifting capacities than flat-tops, but modern flat-tops are closing that gap. Flat-tops are useful when head-room is limited or when two or more cranes must operate above or below each other.

Self-Erecting Tower Cranes (SETCs)

When projects need a tower crane’s fast transport and setup, self-erecting styles are your best bet. However, if you need a light, mobile tower crane, it is.

They are lighter than hammerheads and luffing jibs, and you can easily move them from site to site. They are ideal for sites where you often need to assemble, dismantle and move your tower crane.

SETCs have horizontal jibs attached to masts mounted on either moving or static ballasts. From this base, they can assemble themselves without a second crane, saving you time and, in many cases, money.

A tower crane operator can also operate most SETC models remotely, from the ground, giving you more options for on-site operation. Check out the types of tower crane controllers here.

But this portability comes at the cost of capacity. SETCs can lift less weight than hammerheads and luffing jib tower cranes, limiting them to sites where high capacity lifts are not needed.

Keep Your Tower Crane on Top of Its Game

Hammerheads are your do-it-all-in-open-space tower cranes. Luffing jibs give you maneuverability and lifting power in tight quarters. Self-erecting tower cranes suit fast-moving, mobile sites with lighter loads.

There are variations, such as self-lifting and all-terrain mobiles. But these are usually based on the main three types of tower cranes.

Construction sites can be challenging places to work, and the equipment used on them needs to be well-maintained. Tower cranes are no different.

Check out our tower crane parts over at Kor-Pak. We stock crane controls, wheels, material handling, and everything you need. 

Is your business considering utilizing a crane or hoist? Cranes and hoists have been used for thousands of years as buildings got more oversized and construction became more complicated over time.

Cranes and hoists both have similar functions but do have fundamental differences. Here are some primary differences between a crane and a hoist.

What is a Hoist?

A hoist is a complex piece of machinery that lowers, lifts, and moves big loads. Hoists provide lateral movement to move loads with ease. A crane has three essential components: a horizontal beam, a pulley, and a hydraulic cylinder.

These three components work synchronously to move heavy loads from point A to Point B. Hoists are typically used in constructing buildings and monuments and factories or building plants. Most hoists are set up in a fixed location. 

Types of Hoists

Two characteristics define hoists: the power source and the lifting medium. Whether it is wire rope or chain, the lifting medium is used to support the load. The power source is classified by whether it’s electric-powered, air-powered, or hand-powered. 

Chain Hoists

Chain hoists are great for lighter loads, commonly under 5-tons. They are compact, tolerate high-stress levels, and change lift height. 

Although they are great options for hoists, they tend to have a noisier operation and limited lift speed due to the need for a sprocket.

Wire Hoists

As the name entails, wire hoists use wire rope as their lifting medium. This wire is fed through a grooved drum and can be electrically, manually, or air-powered.

Wire hoists are ideal for heavier loads 10-tons and above. The great thing about wire hoists is that they operate quietly, offer fast lifting speeds, and are considered the standard for general construction. 

What is a Crane?

Unlike a hoist which only moves laterally, an overhead crane operator can move its crane in multi-directions. First, cranes use a lever that acts as a beam attached to a pulley that carries a load. Then, a hydraulic cylinder pushes the shaft to deliver the cargo to where it needs to go. 

Types of Cranes

An overhead crane classifies into two categories. Static cranes are a more familiar scene in warehouses or factories where the system builds into the ceiling of the workspace. Mobile cranes are just as the name says. They can move to-and-from any location on the worksite in a multidirectional fashion. Construction sites with rugged terrain use cranes instead of hoists.

Crane vs. Hoist: Which is Right For You?

If you debate whether to use a crane vs. a hoist, you’ll need to look at your logistical needs to determine which is best. For example, choose a hoist if working on a stationary or permanent jobs such as a warehouse or supply shop. 

If you work on a construction site with varying terrain, go with something more mobile such as a crane. Want to find more blogs about various industries? Visit us here for more.

Overhead cranes come in various styles, including monorail cranes, jib cranes, bridge cranes, and gantry cranes. They can help you deliver your production, logistics, or construction projects on time and support a host of other applications. 

Choosing the best overhead bridge crane for your requirements is a challenge, and in this guide, we’ll give you tips on how to make the right decision.

Overhead Bridge Crane Criteria

There are several criteria to consider when selecting an overhead bridge crane. These include your functional purpose, the relative strengths and weaknesses of different manufacturers, and how you will install it.

Why Do You Need an Overhead Bridge Crane?

Here are vital questions to ask when determining what type of crane you will need.

1. What type of materials are you lifting (weight, mass)?
2. What are environmental conditions (heat, humidity, stress factors)
3. Are there any health and safety concerns?
4. Is there a lot of dust, dirt, or loose particles which could affect performance?

Factors that might mean you need specific crane types include humidity below 90 percent, an extreme temperature, outdoor use in inclement weather, or a very low or high altitude. 

Some cranes have protective features that make them specially designed to overcome some of the above challenges. Using an unsuitable crane could be inefficient and lead to expensive faults and repairs or injury. Cranes can even collapse in some of the worst cases.

There Are Several Types of Overhead Bridge Cranes

Here are some of the different types of overhead bridge cranes. 

• Bridge/Overhead Cranes. In either Single or Double Girder Format
• Gantry Cranes. These use rails Instead of suspended runways. They come in track-mounted, adjustable, and portable styles. 
• Jib Cranes. They don’t use a track or runway but instead are a standalone column or wall-mounted design. 

Know Your Overhead Crane Manufacturers

Different manufacturers are geared up for various industries and use cases, so the crane you use should reflect that. Here are some questions you can answer to choose the right one. 

• Who is your company, business purpose, and target market?
• What are your current workflow requirements and future ones so you can make a purchase that could also be useful in the future?
• Do you have any lifting or handling limitations?

A good manufacturer or supplier will also ask you these questions to assess the best product for your specific business needs. 

Overhead Crane Parts

For the best solutions that function overhead, shop crane suppliers who understand your industry, challenges, and working processes. 

Finding the best overhead crane for sale involves a financial factor too, and it might be worth buying a used crane or buying a new crane to rent it out or resell in the future. Some manufacturers may also buy back cranes and recondition them for resale, so don’t be afraid to ask.

Overhead crane operator requirements are all listed on the NCCCO website, and you can also bear these in mind to ensure your team is prepared to follow regulations when using your new crane.

Overhead Bridge Crane Options

Many options are available for businesses interested in purchasing an overhead bridge crane.

Contact us today if you have any questions or want to know more about our products and services. 

In the United States, there are over 44,000 crane and tower operators. 

Crane operators have to be well trained and knowledgeable about their equipment to be successful. In addition, being a crane operator comes with specific responsibilities that you have to meet for safety, function, and performance. 

Crane operators lift and move equipment, materials, and other items around a job site. They are essential to modern building practices, especially when building very large or tall structures. They are also necessary for loading and unloading ships and moving equipment around job sites. 

Here are the top 5 responsibilities that a crane operator has:

1. Operating The Crane 

The crane operator has a lot of power at their fingertips. They have to control a massive crane, often lifting incredibly heavy objects. This requires understanding how the crane operates, what it can lift, and what type of operations are dangerous.

Cranes can operate both inside buildings and outside, depending on what they are doing. So whether it is a crane loading a ship for transport or a crane bringing steel beams high up into a skyscraper construction, all operations are the crane operator’s responsibility to get done. 

2. Inspecting the Crane 

No matter what type of crane is being used, it must be inspected. This is to ensure that the operation is safe and that the crane is fully functioning. If any problems are detected while the inspection is underway, the crane operator’s job is to make sure that those defects or safety violations are dealt with. 

3. Performing Routine Maintenance 

Whether it is a construction crane or a crane truck, the operator has to ensure routine maintenance is completed. This will ensure that the crane can be operated safely, without the risk of falling over or dropping a load that could kill someone beneath it. Cranes lift objects high overhead and thus must always be fully functional and safe to use. 

If more complicated repairs are required, then a professional repair service should be brought in. This is the only way to be safe and sure the work is going to be done right. 

4. Moving The Crane 

Cranes can reach a job site in several ways, and once there, they can sometimes even position themselves. For example, if the crane has to be driven to a job, it’s the responsibility of the crane operator. Or, if it has to move around a job site, the crane operator is responsible for executing these tasks safely, effectively. 

5. Cleaning and Maintaining the Hoist

The hoist assembly is what allows the crane to lift objects. Crane operators who work for construction companies, shipping companies, or crane services alike must know how to maintain their equipment and keep it clean. 

A Crane Operator Has Many Responsibilities

As you can see, a crane operator has more than one hat they must wear. Anything that has to do with the operation and safety of the crane is the operator’s responsibility. If you or your business operates a crane, feel free to contact us for any service needs. 

Your Demag cranes have carried you from project to project with no issues over the years. But now, some of the parts are reaching the end of their lives. And to avoid experiencing costly downtime, you need replacement parts now.

Research shows that unplanned work-related stoppages cost industries across the globe billions of dollars. In addition, just one minute of downtime can easily cost companies thousands of dollars. 

The good news? If you’re looking for an authorized seller for Demag crane parts right away, Kor-Pak can help. We make the process of securing the Demag crane parts you need easy and efficient with our comprehensive inventory of crane parts.

Here’s a rundown on everything you need to know about our inventory of Demag crane parts.

Inventory of Demag Crane Parts

At Kor-Pak, we’re an authorized Demag crane dealer. That means we offer a complete portfolio of Demag products. We also provide service for Demag’s cranes, including engineering services, inspections, and repairs.

A key product in our Demag portfolio is the KBK crane system by Demag. This modular crane system’s components can easily be combined to produce individual solutions. These solutions include, for example, suspension monorail and suspension crane solutions.

What’s great about the modular crane system is that it is flexible. As a result, you can integrate it into your chosen production infrastructure, then modify it as needed.

Another Demag product offered at Kor-Pak is the universal overhead crane. This universal crane drives reliability, efficiency, and quality for your company.

Various types of universal overhead cranes are available. These include the double-girder and single overhead traveling crane, as well as the suspension crane.

However, besides offering cranes featuring welded girders, we provide crane sets, traveling cranes that are wall-mounted, and cranes with rolled sections made of steel. 

Additional Crane Parts

At Kor-Pak, we additionally offer Demag’s V-type crane. This crane is revolutionizing load handling with its creative design, which has decreased the crane’s oscillation frequency and lengthened its service life.

Finally, you may want to take advantage of our Demag process cranes. This type of crane is used worldwide in multiple industries to increase overall productivity and throughput. These industries include steel handling, steel production, aircraft, bulk/recycling handling, process integration, and paper.

Why Demag Crane Parts?

Demag remains one of today’s leading industrial crane suppliers. With Demag, you can enjoy a full range of cranes and handling technology and drives for virtually any application. In addition, you can expect high-quality service and sales support.

For these reasons, Kor-Pak is excited to offer Demag products. With our Demag parts, you can rest assured that you’ll find quality products whether you’re a major industrial enterprise or a small workshop.

How We Can Help

At Kor-Pak, we are proud to provide a variety of crane parts, including Demag parts, for purchasing agents who need to resupply their machine parts.

Our parts are also perfect for engineers who are working out custom solutions for their industrial applications. For example, if you’re a dock worker who needs to order a new crane hoist as soon as possible, we can help as well.

Contact us to learn more about how our cranes and hoists can keep you operating smoothly and efficiently for years to come.