Constructions sites regularly utilize heavy machinery to get tasks done and move objects from one place to another. One of the most widely-used cranes in these operations is a hammerhead crane. 

A hammerhead crane can carry several tons of weight and remains a go-to resource when construction workers are tasked with picking up, storing, and transporting heavy loads. 

What is a Hammerhead Crane?

A hammerhead crane is a heavy-duty lifting system designed to accurately and safely interact with hefty objects. Hammerhead cranes are used on the heaviest loads on any construction site. 

For this reason, hammerhead cranes are immensely popular and used throughout the world. Due to their unique design, these instruments can carry weighty loads, saving construction workers and managers substantial time and money. 

Also, hammerhead cranes can reduce workplace injuries. By handling heavy loads that can be dangerous to people, construction sites can remain in federal safety compliance and keep all involved parties safe.

When Should You Use a Hammerhead Crane?

Using a hammerhead crane isn’t the last resort option. It can be utilized in certain situations, such as:

• When you need to hold very heavy loads in the air for an extended time
• When you need to carry heavy loads and place them accurately in a designated location 
• When you don’t have the proper equipment for carrying heavy loads 

More often than not, when you use a hammerhead crane, you can avoid the difficulty of being inconvenienced by heavy machinery that will take up space. 

Benefits of Using a Hammerhead Crane

If you’re considering purchasing overhead crane parts to start using your hammerhead crane, the good news is that your decision will be worth it. There are several key reasons why using a hammerhead crane will be beneficial in maximizing the productivity of your construction site.

These benefits include:

• Using a hammerhead crane can save you lots of time in moving heavy machinery.
• With more productivity, you can boost workplace morale with a hammerhead crane.
• Using a hammerhead crane means you can complete construction projects must faster.

As you can see, there are many benefits associated with using a hammerhead crane. If you have this instrument on your construction site, it’s important to perform a crane inspection to ensure the hammerhead crane is in working order.

Otherwise, purchasing overhead crane parts from a trusted provider is your next best step in getting the most from your hammerhead crane. 

Need Hammerhead Crane Parts?

If you want to start using your hammerhead crane but know you need the necessary parts, you’ve come to the right place. Visit our website to browse our selection of crane parts. 

A jib crane can help busy teams stay on top of production quotas or smooth out complex logistical challenges during construction. In addition, jib cranes enable teams to perform repetitive lifting in a small working area. 

A jib crane can be used alongside an overhead bridge crane or alone. In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about jib crane parts!

Types of Cranes

There are many different types of cranes, and each type has various advantages, disadvantages and serves a variety of ideal functions. Here are some examples.

Freestanding Jib Cranes

A freestanding jib crane is the most typical type of jib system. You can install one anywhere. Usually, they support 360° of rotation and boom heights up to 40’. They typically have a capacity that ranges up to 15 tonnes.

They can be base-plate mounted, foundation or insert mounted, or sleeve-insert mounted. Freestanding jib cranes provide teams with the highest weight capacities, most durability, and most rotation.

The main drawback of this crane style is the cost, as they can be the most expensive and are complex to anchor to one of the foundation systems mentioned above. 

Foundationless Jib Cranes

Foundationless jib cranes are slab-mounted. They are bolted to 6” reinforced concrete for indoor use. As a result, they are less expensive because they don’t require any special, poured concrete foundation installation and can be installed almost anywhere. 

That also makes them easier to relocate if you want to move them. 

Usually, they support 360° of rotation and boom heights up to 20’. In addition, they typically have a capacity that ranges up to 1,000 lbs. 

Their main drawback is they have a much lower weight capacity than freestanding jib cranes due to their differing foundation style.

Mast Type Jib Cranes

Mast-type jib cranes are more inexpensive because they only require 6” of concrete to support them. In addition, they have extra support from an overhead support beam or other complementary structures. 

Usually, they support 360° of rotation and boom heights up to 40’. They typically have a capacity that ranges up to 10 tonnes.

There are two styles of mast-type jib cranes called full cantilever and drop cantilever. Each has relative pros and cons, with the full cantilever mast-type jib crane providing the most lifting capacity and clearance. 

Wall-Mounted Jib Cranes

Wall-mounted jib cranes use existing walls or building support columns as their foundational anchor. As a result, they don’t require additional foundation support and can even use the underside of a ceiling as a mount.

They swing around obstacles, under obstructions, and can even fold out of the way which is very convenient. Usually, they support 180° to 200° of rotation and boom heights up to 30’. They typically have a capacity that ranges up to 5 tonnes.

Articulating Jib Cranes

Articulating jib cranes are different from the other cranes in this list because they have two swivel arms that can lift loads around corners and columns instead of just one boom. They can also reach into or under machinery and containers. 

There is a range of mounting and foundation styles for this type of crane. Usually, they support up to 200° of swivel and 360° of rotation and boom heights up to 30’. They typically have a capacity that ranges up to 1 tonne.

Their biggest disadvantage is that they cannot bear heavy loads or repetitive work as well as the other crane styles.

Overhead Crane Parts

If you look at a crane parts diagram, you should see all the jib crane components and terms, including reach/boom, mast/pillar, movable electric hoist, trolley, rotation, controls, hook height, rotation stops, and more.

Crane Inspection Essentials

All cranes are regulated by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) 1910.179 standard and should be inspected regularly. For the full checklist, take a look at the OSHA website. It’s vital to comply with these standards to avoid fines and ensure safety. 

Jib Crane Parts

If you want to learn more about jib crane parts for the respective types of jib cranes, we can help. 

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

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.