What is an overhead travelling crane?

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Overhead Gantry Crane

Overhead travelling cranes, commonly referred to as bridge cranes, are indispensable assets in a multitude of industries, facilitating the lifting and movement of heavy loads with precision and efficiency along runway beams. These beams can extend from a few meters to the whole length of a large factory. In this guide, we will take a look into overhead travelling cranes, exploring their various types, unique features, and wide-ranging applications across industries.

Types of Overhead Travelling Cranes

 

Single Girder Crane

Single Girder Cranes

  • Tailored to meet the specific requirements of businesses.
  • Standard spans of up to 25 meters and lifting capacities of up to 10 tonnes.
  • Equipped with low-headroom hoists, allowing for a maximum lift height of 13 meters and lifting speeds reaching 8 meters per minute.
  • Custom options available for enhanced lift heights or bespoke lifting speeds, ensuring optimal functionality for diverse operational needs.

Learn more about our single girder overhead cranes.

 

Double Girder Crane

Double Girder Cranes

  • Custom-engineered to handle heavy-duty lifting tasks.
  • Offering standard spans of up to 32 meters and lifting capacities of up to 60 tonnes.
  • Available with either standard or open barrel hoists, with open barrel hoists accommodating SWLs of up to 150 tonnes.
  • Designed and constructed to the highest industry standards, guaranteeing durability, reliability, and utmost safety in operation.

Learn more about our double girder overhead cranes.

Applications of Overhead Travelling Cranes

  • Manufacturing: Integral for material handling within production facilities and warehouses, streamlining assembly processes and enhancing productivity.
  • Construction: Essential for lifting and positioning bulky materials and equipment at construction sites, ensuring seamless project execution.
  • Warehousing: Facilitating efficient storage and retrieval of goods in warehouses and distribution centres, optimizing inventory management.
  • Ports and Shipping: Playing a pivotal role in cargo handling operations at ports and shipyards, facilitating swift loading and unloading of vessels.

 

Overhead Gantry Crane

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Safety Features

Overhead travelling cranes are equipped with a plethora of safety features to ensure the well-being of operators and personnel. These features include:

  • Overload protection systems: Prevents the crane from lifting loads beyond its rated capacity, reducing the risk of accidents and equipment damage.
  • Emergency stop buttons: Allows for immediate halting of crane operations in case of emergencies, providing swift response to potential hazards.
  • Collision avoidance technology: Utilises sensors and detectors to detect obstacles in the crane’s path, preventing collisions and ensuring safe operation in congested work environments.

Customisation Options

The versatility of overhead travelling cranes extends to customisation options tailored to meet specific operational requirements. These options include:

  • Specialised lifting attachments: Such as hooks, magnets, and grabs, designed to handle diverse load types and shapes with precision and efficiency.
  • Remote control systems: Enable operators to control crane movements from a safe distance, improving visibility and manoeuvrability in challenging working conditions.
  • Automated functions: Incorporate advanced automation technology for tasks such as load positioning, travel speed adjustment, and collision avoidance, enhancing operational efficiency and productivity.

 

Crane Load Testing Service

 

Maintenance Considerations

Regular crane maintenance and servicing are essential to ensure the optimal performance, longevity, and safety of overhead travelling cranes. Key maintenance considerations include:

  • Routine inspections: Conducted by qualified technicians to identify and address potential issues before they escalate into major problems, reducing downtime and repair costs.
  • Lubrication: Regular lubrication of moving parts to minimize friction and wear, ensuring smooth and reliable crane operation.
  • Component replacement: Timely replacement of worn or damaged components to maintain crane performance and safety standards, prolonging the crane’s service life.

All operators of cranes have a legal requirement to follow LOLER guidelines. We have LOLER inspectors across the United Kingdom to help ensure our crane is safe and ready to use.

Environmental Impact

Overhead travelling cranes offer environmental benefits compared to alternative lifting methods, including:

  • Energy-efficient operation: Utilising advanced technologies such as variable frequency drives and regenerative braking to optimise energy consumption and reduce operating costs.
  • Reduced carbon footprint: By minimising reliance on fossil fuels and implementing eco-friendly design features, overhead travelling cranes contribute to environmental sustainability and corporate responsibility initiatives.

 

Overhead travelling cranes represent a cornerstone of modern industrial operations, offering unparalleled lifting capabilities, versatility, and safety features. Whether it’s a single girder crane for light-duty applications or a double girder crane for heavy lifting tasks, these cranes are engineered to deliver exceptional performance while prioritising safety and efficiency. At Granada Cranes, we specialise in designing and manufacturing bespoke overhead travelling cranes tailored to the unique needs of our clients.

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