When it comes to overhead cranes, choosing the right system is essential for maximising efficiency and ensuring safety in your operations. Two common types of heavy duty overhead cranes are single girder and double girder systems, each designed to meet different lifting capacities and spatial requirements. These types of cranes are often called Goliath Cranes, due to their size. At Granada Cranes, we specialise in both types, offering customised solutions that cater to the specific needs of industries like automotive manufacturing, aerospace, and warehousing.
Let’s explore the differences between single girder and double girder overhead cranes, so you can determine which option best suits your lifting requirements.
Single Girder Overhead Cranes: Efficiency in Smaller Spaces
Single girder cranes are typically chosen for their simplicity and cost-effectiveness. These cranes consist of a single bridge girder supported by two end trucks, with the hoist running on the lower flange of the girder.
Key Benefits:
- Cost-Effective: Single girder systems require fewer components, making them more economical in terms of both initial investment and maintenance costs.
- Space-Efficient: These cranes are ideal for environments where headroom is limited. Their compact design allows for maximum lifting height, making them suitable for factories, warehouses, or workshops with smaller spaces.
- Ease of Installation: The simpler design of single girder cranes typically means faster installation and easier maintenance.
Lifting Capacity:
Single girder cranes are best suited for light to medium loads, typically handling capacities up to 10 tonnes. This makes them ideal for industries such as automotive and warehousing, where smaller components or goods need to be moved quickly and efficiently.
Applications:
- Automotive Manufacturing: For lifting smaller vehicle components like engines or transmissions, single girder cranes offer the right balance between lifting capacity and space optimisation.
- Warehousing: These cranes can be installed in compact warehouses to assist in the movement of goods, pallets, or machinery, maximising the use of vertical space.
Double Girder Overhead Cranes: Power and Precision for Heavy-Duty Lifting
Double girder cranes feature two bridge girders and typically offer higher load capacities and greater spans than single girder systems. The hoist in a double girder system runs on rails mounted on top of both girders, providing additional strength and stability.
Key Benefits:
- Increased Lifting Capacity: Double girder cranes can handle much heavier loads, with lifting capacities ranging from 10 to 150 tonnes. This makes them perfect for industries with heavy-duty lifting needs.
- Greater Span: With the ability to span larger areas, double girder systems are ideal for expansive industrial settings such as aerospace manufacturing or large-scale automotive assembly lines.
- Customisation Options: Double girder cranes can be equipped with additional features like maintenance walkways, auxiliary hoists, and precise control systems, enhancing their versatility.
Lifting Capacity:
Double girder systems are designed for heavy lifting and are often employed in facilities where large, bulky items—such as aircraft components or industrial machinery—need to be lifted with precision and stability.
Applications:
- Aerospace: Double girder cranes are essential for handling large aircraft parts such as wings, fuselage sections, or engines, ensuring these components are lifted and positioned with accuracy during assembly.
- Automotive: In larger automotive plants, these cranes are used to handle more substantial parts, such as car bodies or entire chassis, facilitating efficient production processes.
- Warehousing: In large warehouses with higher ceilings and heavy goods, double girder cranes provide the lifting power needed to manage bulky, heavier loads over wide spans.
Customisation Options for Overhead Cranes
At Granada Cranes, we understand that each industry has unique needs, and we offer a range of customisation options for both single and double girder systems. Some of the custom features include:
- Wireless Controls: Enhances operator safety and flexibility by enabling remote operation.
- Variable Speed Options: Allows operators to adjust lifting and lowering speeds, providing greater control and precision.
- Intelligent Lifting Systems: Reduces the risk of human error and improves efficiency by automating certain processes, such as load positioning and weight monitoring.
- Custom Hoist Designs: Hoists can be tailored to match specific load requirements, including high-speed lifting, increased duty cycles, or specialised attachment points for complex objects.
Our team works closely with clients to ensure their cranes are tailored to their exact requirements, whether that involves adding safety features or optimising the crane for a specific workflow.
Compliance with Safety Regulations (LOLER)
Safety is always a top priority when installing and maintaining overhead cranes. Both single and double girder systems must comply with the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER). At Granada Cranes, we ensure that all of our crane systems are fully compliant with LOLER requirements, and we offer regular inspections and maintenance services to guarantee ongoing safety.
Our cranes come with valid test certificates, and all lifting accessories are subject to LOLER inspections at intervals not exceeding six months. This ensures the continued safe operation of your equipment, minimising the risk of accidents and maintaining compliance with legal safety standards.
Which Overhead Crane is Right for You?
Choosing between a single girder or double girder overhead crane depends largely on the specific demands of your operations. For industries where space is a concern or the loads are relatively light, a single girder crane provides an efficient and cost-effective solution. However, if your facility handles heavier loads or requires greater lifting capacity and span, a double girder system offers the strength and flexibility to meet those needs.
At Granada Cranes, we offer bespoke solutions for both types of cranes, ensuring that your lifting systems are designed, installed, and maintained to the highest standards of safety and efficiency. Contact us today to learn more about how we can provide the perfect overhead crane system for your business.
