The Best Crane Setup for a Steel Fabrication Shop

At Granada Cranes, we’ve supplied and installed overhead crane systems for steel fabricators across the UK for over 40 years. From small structural shops running a single 5-tonne crane to large-scale fabrication facilities with multiple heavy-duty systems, we understand what works in this demanding environment.

This guide covers everything you need to know about specifying the ideal crane setup for your steel fabrication operation.

Why Steel Fabrication Needs Serious Lifting Equipment

Steel fabrication isn’t like general manufacturing. The materials are heavy, awkward, and often very long. A typical day in a fab shop might involve:

• Unloading steel deliveries from lorries
• Moving plate and sections to cutting stations
• Positioning beams for drilling, welding, and assembly
• Turning and rotating heavy assemblies
• Loading finished steelwork for dispatch

Without adequate overhead lifting, these tasks either become impossible, dangerously slow, or require multiple workers and improvised methods that increase risk. A properly specified crane system handles all of this efficiently with minimal labour.

Recommended Crane Configurations

The right crane configuration depends on your typical work, building size, and budget. Here are the most common setups we install in steel fabrication shops:

Getting the Capacity Right

Capacity is one of the most critical decisions. Specify too low and you’ll be constantly working at the crane’s limits (or unable to lift your heaviest loads). Specify too high and you’ve wasted money on capability you don’t need.

Typical Load Weights in Steel Fabrication

To help you estimate, here are some typical weights for common steel materials:

Capacity Recommendations by Shop Type

• Small structural/misc steel shop: 5–10 tonnes typically sufficient
• Medium fabrication facility: 10–20 tonnes covers most work
• Heavy structural/bridge fabrication: 20–50+ tonnes may be required

Duty Cycle: Why It Matters in Fabrication

Steel fabrication typically demands a medium to heavy duty cycle. Unlike a maintenance crane that might lift occasionally, a fab shop crane operates continuously throughout the working day, often handling loads approaching its rated capacity.

For European-manufactured cranes (including those we supply from SWF Krantechnik and OMIS), duty is classified using FEM standards:

Most steel fabrication shops require M5 or M6 classification. Specifying M4 when you actually need M5 will result in premature wear, more frequent breakdowns, and a shorter crane lifespan.

Essential Lifting Accessories for Steel Fabrication

The crane is only half the equation. In steel fabrication, your lifting accessories are equally important. The right below-the-hook equipment dramatically improves safety and productivity.

Plate and Section Handling

Slings and Rigging

Workshop Layout Considerations

The best crane in the world won’t help if it can’t reach where you need it. When planning your crane coverage, consider:

1. Material flow
   Map how steel moves through your shop—from goods-in to cutting, drilling, welding, assembly, and dispatch. Your crane should cover this entire path, or you’ll need multiple cranes or auxiliary equipment.
2. Workstation positioning
   Position cutting tables, drilling lines, welding bays, and assembly areas within the crane’s coverage. Consider how the crane will access each station without obstructing others.
3. Loading bays
   Ensure the crane can reach your loading bay doors to handle incoming deliveries and outgoing dispatch. This is often overlooked and causes major headaches later.
4. Hook height
   You need enough height to lift your longest beam vertically (for turning or manoeuvring), plus clearance above workstations and machines. Many fab shops need 8–12m hook height.
5. Multiple cranes
   Larger shops often run two or more cranes on the same runway. This allows simultaneous operations in different areas and provides redundancy if one crane is down for maintenance.

Controls and Features for Fabrication

Modern crane controls make operation safer and more efficient. For steel fabrication, consider:

Control Options

• Radio remote control: Essential for fab shops where the operator needs to be close to the load for positioning. Allows the operator to stand in the safest position with clear visibility.
• Variable speed (VFD): Inverter-controlled drives allow smooth acceleration, deceleration, and creep speeds for precise positioning. Reduces load swing and wear on the crane.
• Tandem lift capability: If you’ll need two cranes to lift large assemblies together, ensure the controls support coordinated tandem operation.

Safety Features

• Overload protection: Prevents lifting above rated capacity—essential when load weights vary
• Anti-collision: For multiple cranes on the same runway, prevents crane-to-crane collisions
• End-of-travel limits: Prevents the crane or trolley running off the runway ends
• Load display: Shows the operator the current load weight in real time

Hoist Selection: Wire Rope vs Chain

For steel fabrication, wire rope hoists are almost always the right choice. Here’s why:

We typically supply SWF Krantechnik wire rope hoists or OMIS hoists for steel fabrication applications – both are designed for demanding industrial environments.

UK Compliance Requirements

Every overhead crane in a UK steel fabrication shop must comply with several key regulations:

LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998)

All lifting equipment – including cranes, hoists, and lifting accessories – must undergo thorough examination by a competent person. For equipment used to lift people or accessories (chains, slings, clamps), this is required every 6 months. For the crane itself, examinations are typically annual unless a written scheme specifies otherwise.

PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998)

Requires that all work equipment is suitable for its intended use, maintained in safe condition, and used only by trained operators. This covers everything from the crane itself to the controls and safety devices.

BS 7121 (Code of Practice for Safe Use of Cranes)

Provides guidance on planning lifting operations, appointing competent persons, and safe operating procedures. If you’re carrying out complex or tandem lifts, BS 7121 is essential reading.

Installation Considerations

Installing a crane in a steel fabrication shop involves several factors:

Building Structure

Your building must support the crane loads – both the crane’s weight and the dynamic forces when lifting and travelling. For new builds, this is designed in from the start. For existing buildings, a structural assessment determines whether reinforcement is needed.

Floor Condition

For free-standing cranes with floor-mounted columns, the concrete floor must be adequate. Our site survey identifies floor joints and assesses slab condition before specifying column positions.

Power Supply

A 10-tonne crane typically requires a three-phase electrical supply. Larger cranes need proportionally more power. We’ll advise on requirements during the quotation stage.

Installation Access

Crane components are large and heavy. We’ll need access for delivery vehicles and lifting equipment (often a mobile crane) during installation. This is planned in advance to minimise disruption to your operations.

Frequently Asked Questions