Do you need a mobile crane for your Perth project but are unsure which one to choose? Overhead cranes are necessary at many job sites. An overhead crane lets you lift and move heavy materials safely and efficiently. Typically designed and engineered for a specific purpose or application to suit a business’ material handling needs, the central part of an overhead crane is a hoist. The crane moves the hoist around to shift materials.
When lifting and moving heavy loads, bridge, gantry, and other overhead cranes are critical to many industries and the economy and increase floor space, safety, and efficiency.
Overhead crane types
- Top Running Crane: The top running crane has a bridge that moves atop rails mounted to the ceiling. The rails help lift heavy loads.
- Under Running Crane: The bridge moves along the bottom flange of two beams on an under running crane. Certain types of building construction can require under running cranes.
- Gantry Crane: Gantry cranes have a single or double girder attached to a pair of broad legs with wheels. These wheels allow the crane to operate without being attached to the ceiling and are popular cranes in the shipbuilding industry.
- Monorail Crane: As the name suggests, a monorail has a single rail to which the hoist attaches. The trolley follows an oval or snaking path around the facility. This is an effective crane for lifting and moving services, especially in complex spaces.
What industries use Overhead cranes?
Storage
Moving and storing large and heavy crates is part and parcel of managing a warehouse. The goal is to do so quickly and safely. Damaging cargo or wasting time trying to find an item is not an option. A proper network of overhead cranes helps warehouse employees keep their inventory organised and accessible, allowing staff to move and store containers and crates seamlessly.
Automotive
Auto assembly lines rely on moving products from point to point through construction stations until completion. Bridge cranes are ideal for this movement. Auto repair can also require smaller gantry cranes for pulling engines and lifting car bodies. Because these factories are primarily automated, these complex machinery systems require a programmer to help operate and maintain the cranes.
Heavy equipment repair
Big fixes need big tools for equipment like industrial HVACs, factory equipment, or other large machinery. Repair shops use bridge and gantry cranes to unload products, move them around the shop, and reload them. Perth overhead mobile cranes make lifting goods up and over to each repair station much more manageable.
Metal manufacturing
Whether moving crucibles of molten ore or loading rolls of finished sheets, metal workers need overhead cranes to handle the weight and elements — metal workers often work with metals at dangerous temperatures. Overhead cranes can do the grunt work and help keep workers safe from dangerous materials. Specialised attachments such as C-hooks also help move spools of wire and foil.
Concrete manufacturing
Nothing in the concrete industry is small or light. Whether handling bagged premix or finished precast, workers need gantry cranes in the yard and bridge cranes in the factory. Pouring architectural spans requires the power and control of an overhead crane.
Power plants
Power plants contain working equipment that must remain functioning — downtime would mean a blackout. When a turbine or generator inside an active plant needs service, you must remove and replace it carefully. A precise bridge crane system is essential for this service.
Shipbuilding
Ship hulls are massive and irregularly shaped. Moving heavy tools and parts around the inside of a slanted hull can be impossible without an overhead crane. A wide-spanning heavy gantry crane is a must for building ship hulls.
Plastic Injection Molding
Like metalwork, plastic fabrication involves heavy weights and high temperatures. Safety and precision demand a strong and nimble system of overhead cranes. You must handle melted ingredients, raw materials, and finished products with care and dexterity — which is where the need for Perth overhead mobile cranes comes in.
Aviation
Like shipbuilding, managing a hanger involves moving big, heavy, expensive equipment like engines, ailerons, interiors, and other critical parts. An overhead crane ensures the safe assembly and repair of all aviation equipment.
Transportation
The massive units loading and unloading ships at seaports are the most visible overhead cranes. The port is the gateway of international commerce, and these busy sites have massive products coming and going constantly.
Choose United Crane Services
For over 16 years, we’ve been providing the local people of Perth with reliable, quality and trustworthy equipment and services and mobile crane hire. We want to help our clients get the job done quickly and effectively.
What to consider before choosing a crane
Mobile cranes are easier to set up and navigate and generally cheaper than tower cranes. However, a tower crane is better if your project requires a tall, sturdy, reliable crane for heavy lifting. Ultimately, it comes down to your project goals and what you must accomplish.
Questions? Let us know
Both mobile and overhead cranes are common on construction sites. The one you pick for your project will depend on your project needs. If you have questions about which would suit you better or about mobile crane hire in Perth, contact United Crane Services today.
We provide an extensive range of crane equipment and lifting services to different industries, including mining, transport, maintenance, infrastructure and construction. With over a decade of experience helping Perth with its crane needs, we’re sure we can help out. Call us on +61 08 9250 4488 or email us at info@ucsperth.com.au.
