Jib Crane Types
Jib cranes are made up of a trolley hoist on a horizontal load-bearing boom. This boom is connected to a pivoting vertical member and up to 20 feet long. Jib cranes can move loads between any areas within the boom's arc of rotation. Light duty models are utilized in factories and warehouses for loads weighing as much as 5 tons. The website BestJibCranes.com features the major kinds of jib cranes as being either wall-mounted, mast mounted or free-standing.
Free Standing
Free-standing jib cranes are able to stand alone not requiring support from the building structure. The horizontal boom in this case is attached to a pivoting vertical column that is anchored solidly to the floor of the building. This type of jib crane requires a foundation made of either concrete or steel and could rotate a full 360 degrees.
Mast-Type
The mast-type jib cranes feature a vertical column which is supported by pivot points at the top and the bottom which are connected to the building floor and the overhead steel structure. These jib-cranes provide 360 degrees of rotation with the advantage of not requiring the massive foundation required for free-standing units.
Wall Mounted
The wall-mounted jib cranes offer a horizontal boom that is connected to the wall of a building rather than the typical vertical column. These equipments provide up to 200 degrees of rotation and are great in areas where the full 360 degree rotation is not required.
Depending on how the boom is supported, there are two model varieties. One type uses a tie rod from above the boom that is attached to the wall. The other kind supports the boom from below by utilizing a cantilever brace that is attached to the wall also.