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Different Types of Overhead Cranes–Part 2


Overhead cranes are a fixture in many industrial and manufacturing environments, and typically they are customized to meet the company’s specific needs.
Back in October, we started a new blog series about the different types of overhead cranes that Tekwell Services provides inspections and repairs for. If you missed part 1 of this series check out Different Types of Overhead Cranes– Part 1.

Jib Cranes

These cranes do not have a track or runway like single and double girder bridge cranes. They appear as two girders attached at a 90-degree angle like a straight branch jutting out from a tree trunk. Jib cranes are designed to handle lighter loads, and are typically used to maneuver objects for manufacturing or repair purposes in a small area.

Jib overhead crane diagram

They can be installed as a standalone column or can be mounted to the side of a wall to save space within the facility.

Gantry Crane

A gantry crane is a lot like a bridge crane, except that instead of having the girder move along the installed track above, the gantry crane has crane legs that move along rails on the floor of the work area. They are commonly used where full columns and beams cannot be installed to support the use of a bridge crane.
An example of where a gantry crane would be used is in an outdoor setting for loading and unloading freight in railyards or shipyards.

Example of a gantry overhead crane inspection in Atlanta, GA

Monorail Cranes

Monorail cranes are cranes commonly found on assembly lines where they carry the hoist along a single path that doesn’t require any side-to-side movement for the hoist. The path for the crane is typically a straight line back and forth through an assembly line, but some monorail cranes have curved tracks. They are also capable of being installed in such a way that the crane can follow different paths, using switches and branches on the monorail crane. This is why these are popular for highly automated industrial manufacturing tasks.

This concludes our blog series about the different types of overhead cranes.

Contact Tekwell Services for Overhead Crane Inspection and Repair

We are specialists in overhead crane inspection and repair. It doesn’t matter if it’s a jib, gantry or monorail crane. We can inspect them and repair them. Contact an overhead crane inspection and repair specialist today by completing our online form on our Contact page, or giving us a call at 1-800-829-7454.

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