Crane types and what they are used for
From overhead bridge crane to mobile crane — overview of common types
The word crane covers many different machines. They have in common that they lift and move loads with a hoisting mechanism, but they are built very differently and used for very different tasks. If you know the types, you also understand why the safety and operating requirements vary from crane to crane.
§Fixed indoor cranes.
Overhead crane runs on two rails along building walls and has moving trolley that moves across. It covers entire area under rails and is used in workshops warehouses and production. Gantry crane resembles overhead crane but stands on own legs on floor or ground and is used where rails cannot or should not be hung in structure
§Column and wall slew cranes
The column slew crane has an arm that rotates around a vertical column and covers a circular section around the column. The wall slew crane is fixed to a wall or column and is typically used to operate a single workstation, such as a machine or work table. They are simple but the capacity decreases the further out along the arm the load hangs.
§Truck-mounted cranes
A vehicle-mounted crane (often called a truck crane or loading crane) sits behind the cab or at the rear of a vehicle and is used to load and unload the vehicle itself and for assembly work nearby. It unfolds with joints and the reach depends on how far the arm extends. The vehicle must be supported on outriggers before the crane is used.
§Mobile cranes
The mobile crane is a self-propelled crane with a long boom that can be raised and extended. It is driven to the job, set up on outriggers and used for heavy lifting and assembly where a fixed crane won't reach. It is the crane type where setup, ground preparation and load chart matter most, because the lifting capacity changes significantly with outreach and boom angle.
§Why the type is crucial for the work
The crane type determines which hazards are greatest, how to operate the crane, and what requirements are placed on the operator and setup. A bridge crane does not require support, but a mobile crane can tip if the ground fails. Therefore, familiarity with a crane always begins with understanding which type you are dealing with and what it is built for.