Jib Crane Selection: Pros & Cons of Wall-Mounted vs. Floor-Mounted Options

Jib cranes are essential material handling equipment, providing flexible lifting and transfer of heavy loads within a work zone. Their rotating horizontal boom offers practical material handling for various industrial applications. Selecting the right jib crane is crucial for maximizing efficiency, ensuring safety, and optimizing workflow, especially for factories, manufacturers, and industrial buyers seeking durable lifting solutions tailored to their operational needs.

What Is a Jib Crane? Core Components and Industrial Applications

Jib Crane Basics

A jib crane is an overhead hoisting equipment with a horizontal boom supported by a vertical mast or mounted on a wall. Its boom can be rotated, and thus the crane can lift within a circular area in material handling applications. The essential components of a jib crane are:

Boom: Horizontal member which carries the load and the hoist.

Hoist: The electric or manual lift mechanism utilized to lift and lower the loads.

Pivot System: Enables boom to rotate on mast or support column.

Mast/Column: Floor-mounted models’ vertical support column.

Base: Stabilizing anchor that supports crane for operation.

Jib cranes are normally mounted in assembly lines, warehouses, workshops, and factory floors to shift heavy equipment parts, align materials for processing, and assist repeated lifting operations.

Types of Jib Cranes

Jib cranes can be shipped with varying designs for some industrial purposes:

Wall-Mounted Jib Crane: Suspended from the wall or structural column, suitable for spaces with minimal floor area.

Floor-Mounted (Free-Standing) Jib Crane: Supported on a concrete base, larger capacities and 360° rotation.

Portable Jib Crane: Self-contained machines that can be moved as needed, with flexibility between several workstations.

Mobile Jib Crane: With mobile base, simple repositioning within a building.

All of these are made to be strong and multifunctional, addressing the specific needs of industrial environments.

Wall-Mounted Jib Cranes: Design, Benefits, and Limitations

Structural Installation and Design

Wall-mounted jib cranes are attached to structural columns or walls, saving valuable floor space. Installation requires:

Structural Integrity Assessment: Verifying the supporting structure’s load-bearing capacity.

Load Calculations: Precise engineering calculations to determine crane capacity.

Vertical Clearance: Ensuring adequate ceiling height for safe operation.

For example, Nante Crane offers Pillar-Style Wall-Mounted Jib Cranes with adjustable rotation angles of 180° to 360° for use in small spaces.

Advantages of Wall-Mounted Jib Cranes

Space Optimization: Insupervening level of small assembly lines or workshops with insufficient floor space.

Cost-Optimizing Installation: Comparatively low cost of installation for light to medium loads, typically up to 2–5 tons.

Interference-Free Work Flow: Hanging structure reduces interference with work on the floor level, maintaining an open working area.

Drawbacks of Wall-Mounted Jib Cranes

Lower Load Capacity: Compared to types installed on the floor, wall-mounted cranes enjoy lower lifting capacities.

Structural Dependence: Rely on column or wall strength, hence not suitable for heavy-duty use or in ill-structured buildings.

Floor-Mounted Jib Cranes: Advantages and Limitations

Design and Installation

Floor-mounted jib cranes are anchored to reinforced concrete foundations, providing robust support for heavy lifting. Key features include:

High Load Capacity: Lifting capabilities exceeding 10 tons.

360° Rotation: Full work area coverage.

Independent Installation: Flexibility in positioning within a facility.

Advantages of Floor-Mounted Jib Cranes

Superior Lifting Capacity: Handles heavy equipment and materials.

Flexible Installation: Can be positioned independently of walls or columns.

Extensive Coverage: 360° rotation enhances productivity.

Limitations of Floor-Mounted Jib Cranes

Higher Initial Investment: Foundation work and structural considerations increase costs.

Space Requirements: Occupies significant floor space.

Complex Installation: Requires careful planning and longer setup times.

Key Factors for Jib Crane Selection

Workspace and Load Capacity

Choosing the right jib crane depends on:

Workspace Dimensions: Ensuring adequate space for crane movement.

Load Specifications: Matching the crane’s capacity to the heaviest loads.

Hoist Compatibility: Selecting appropriate manual or electric hoists.

Mobility and Flexibility

For dynamic manufacturing environments, consider:

Relocation Convenience: Mobile or portable cranes for easy repositioning.

Versatility: Adaptability to various tasks without fixed bases.

Application Example: Mobile jib cranes in automotive assembly lines for flexible positioning.

Compliance, Safety, and Maintenance

Ensure safe operation through:

Industry Certifications: Compliance with standards like CE and ISO 9001.

Safety Features: Overload protection and emergency braking systems.

Regular Maintenance: Scheduled inspections and component replacements.

Selecting the appropriate jib crane is vital for operational efficiency and safety. Wall-mounted cranes suit space-limited areas, while floor-mounted cranes are ideal for heavy-duty applications.

Nante Crane: Your Professional Partner in High-Quality Jib Cranes

Being the top jib crane manufacturers, Nante Crane handles CE-certified, custom products. Nante Crane is involved in R&D of lifting and material handling technology and implements innovative ideas and designs to create new products and services.

Product highlights

Free-Standing Jib Crane: Nante free-standing jib cranes are 360° heavy-duty rotating. The cranes have 5 tons max lifting and 2m – 10m height.

Wall-Mounted Jib Crane: Wall-mounted jib cranes are compact with adjustable turning. Wall-mounted jib cranes and special application jib cranes tend to be 180-degree rotating and are utilized to production line or assembly line for special usages.

Conclusion and Call to Action

Selecting the correct jib crane is essential in order to ensure utmost operational efficiency and safety within an industrial setup. Wall brackets will be ideal in areas where space is not too much available because they deliver efficient lifting services with no utilization of valuable floor area. Floor-mounted (free-standing) jib cranes possess greater lifting power and mobility and would therefore best suit heavy-duty operations.

Want to maximize your plant productivity? Contact Nante Crane