What is a Jib Crane?

What is a Jib Crane?

Jib Cranes (Jib crane systems) are just one type of overhead bridge cranes we offer.

Jib Cranes

A Jib crane is a tool used to lift objects. Typically these are used within manufacturing facilities, warehouses and automotive shops using overhead cranes. It is a crane that has a horizontal member known commonly as the jib or boom. This operating arm extends off the crane horizontally and supports a movable hoist that is fixed to either a wall or pillar on the floor, providing hoist coverage in multiple locations. The rigidity of these tools lend themselves to both light duty and heavy duty applications from there steel construction and reinforced concrete used for mounted jib cranes. Even though Jib cranes are designed to lift heavy objects, the tools themselves are lightweight, allowing the jib crane to be easily relocated for material handling. This means that they are mobile and for the most part are equipped with wheels to move objects around easily within the work area. Some design options are mobile and some are immobile from the reinforced concrete foundation required for floor mounted jib cranes. A Jib crane has the ability to lift objects overhead often enough for repetition and can be used in smaller work areas for unique lifting tasks. Jib cranes are the most economical means to lift heavy loads because there rotation in full circles and they reduce workplace injuries, increasing productivity. Many can lift and move loads that weigh 20,000 pounds or more. A jib crane can also be used in tandem with a bridge crane to complete overhead lifting tasks such as hauling and indoor use for much more time efficiency than without the pair.

Jib Cranes Types

Freestanding Jib Crane Systems

There are three different designs of a freestanding jib crane, in how they are mounted or installed in the workplace. Base-Plate Mounted freestanding jib cranes are the easiest and most popular design to install. The mast of the jib crane is bolted to a base plate and reinforced by a foundation layer of concrete and then reinforced with gussets. The support structure allows the jib crane's boom to mount the hoist over overhead obstructions to start lifting capacities. The second design, a foundation mounted jib crane, is welded with the steel plate at the bottom of the mast during the first layer of concrete. The second pour uses reinforced concrete to create a special poured foundation that supports the rest of the mast, making it cost effective by removing the need of a gusset. The last design, called a sleeve-insert mounted, has a sleeve welded to the steel plate creating a special foundation so that the jib system can be relocated without damaging the mast. Freestanding jibs can not change the overall jib crane height, if lifting height needed is above the lowest ceiling obstruction, low headroom options for cranes and hoists are needed.

Foundationless Jib Cranes

There are three different designs of a freestanding jib crane, in how they are mounted or installed in the workplace. Base-Plate Mounted freestanding jib cranes are the easiest and most popular design to install. The mast of the jib crane is bolted to a base plate and reinforced by a foundation layer of concrete and then reinforced with gussets. The support structure allows the jib crane's boom to mount the hoist over overhead obstructions to start lifting capacities. The second design, a foundation mounted jib crane, is welded with the steel plate at the bottom of the mast during the first layer of concrete. The second pour uses reinforced concrete to create a special poured foundation that supports the rest of the mast, making it cost effective by removing the need of a gusset. The last design, called a sleeve-insert mounted, has a sleeve welded to the steel plate creating a special foundation so that the jib system can be relocated without damaging the mast. Freestanding jibs can not change the overall jib crane height, if lifting height needed is above the lowest ceiling obstruction, low headroom options for cranes and hoists are needed.

Mast Type Jib Cranes

Either Full Cantilever or Drop Cantilever types available upon request. These cranes are mounted to the floor, which makes these jibs less flexible and cost less then foundationless or free standing jib cranes. These jib crane systems come with 360 degree rotation standard, and work best in combination with overhead cranes. Drop Cantilever jib crane systems clear overhead obstructions by allowing specific placement of the boom.

Wall Mounted Jib Cranes

Wall mounted cranes Cantilever or Tie-Rod Supported types available upon request. A wall-mounted jib crane provides more than 180 degrees of rotation, with up to 200 degrees of rotation depending on the footprint and layout of the facility. Because the jib crane is mounted on a wall and not fully supporting itself, the capacity of a wall-mounted jib crane will be dependent on the wall the jib crane is mounted on. A wall mounted jib can also be ceiling mounted to free up space on the floor of the material handling facility. A ceiling mounted crane may use I-beam's or be a under running crane type.

Articulating Jib Cranes

Articulating jib cranes are different from other types of jib cranes because of it's pivot location along the jib's arm. This pivot along the jib allows loads to be positioned in places that a traditional jib cannot reach. Articulating jib cranes position and spot different loads and can rotate to maximize its movability in a work cell. The boom of the articulating jib not only is lifting loads, but allows for the operator rotation in a circular work cell.

Fixed Height Jib Cranes

A fixed height Jib crane stays at a particular height. The range for a Jib crane begins as low as just under 6' and goes about as high as 20'. As a business, you need to make the decision whether or not the requirement from your Jib is to change the jib's height from day to day. A fixed height jib crane allows for heavy duty lifting and moving of materials that may be awkward for most workers to lift. Overhead cranes have a higher load capacity when fixed height, fixed height jib cranes come in higher rated capacities as a result.

Adjustable Height Jib Cranes

An adjustable height Jib crane allows you to adjust how high or low the crane can go. This is ideal for applications that change on a daily or weekly basis. An articulating jib can adjust it's boom length but not height length. Freestanding jib cranes can be adjusted when lifting while wall mounted jib cranes cant.

Steel Jib Crane

Typically the steel Jib is going to be used in those heavy duty applications. Lean towards the purchase of a steel construction Jib crane that is going to be able to withstand the heavy lifts and abuse. Keep in mind that it's going to weigh a lot more than the aluminum. If the crane is going to remain in one place or move very seldom then the weight of the crane is not a factor. Using steel construction instead of aluminum allows for higher capacities and increasing workplace safety.

Aluminum Jib Crane

The aluminum Jib is going to be the choice of those where mobility is a top requirement. Moving a Jib or any tool for that matter is going to take effort. With that said, if the requirement of the Jib is to be moved while the load is hoisted in the air, then being as light as possible is preferred. Generally, the load is going to be rather heavy. If the Jib is required to lift a load and then be relocated to another spot within the work area. You are going to want the lightest Jib possible.

Capacity Range

The load capacity of a Jib crane can vary depending upon the needs of the material handling application. At the minimum, the capacity is going to be 250 pounds with the max capacity around 10 tons. It all goes back to the requirement of the job. However, when selecting a capacity you need to consider whether the requirements of the job are going to change. Therefore, you might want to go with a higher capacity Jib crane to ensure it can be utilized in the future if needs change. Your material handling business may reduce workplace injuries from selecting a crane with a higher or lower capacity.

Manufacturer's of Jib Cranes

  • Advantage
  • All Lift
  • Gorbel
  • Spanco
  • Vestil

Manufacturers of Jib Crane Hoists

A Jib crane on it's own is not able to raise an object. You'll need an electric hoist or manual hoist in order to raise the load, using the Jib crane as a lifting point. Here is a list of popular hoists to use.

Electric Chain Hoist

Remember to select the correct voltage for the jib crane's motor drive. Will you need power requirements for the electric hoist or trolley that is mounted on the boom.

Hand Chain Hoist

Choosing the right Jib Crane

Selecting the right Jib crane is going to come down to the application. Before selecting the correct hoist size and power requirements, other options such as choosing the actual working span needed, top entry or bottom entry for the power supply, and boom length. The questions you need to ask yourself when buying a Jib Crane are:

Capacity

What is the heaviest load that this Jib crane will be required to lift? As mentioned before, the capacity or weight limit of a jib crane can vary from 250 pounds to 10 tons. That is something to factor in deciding to buy a jib crane, is your need for the crane going to change overtime. Are you only going to lift light objects or will the demands of the hoist change over time where it will be required to lift heavy objects.

Span

What is the size of the work area that this crane needs to cover? This refers to the horizontal beam of the overall jib crane. It's what the hoist itself is attached to. Typically, the electric hoist or manual hoist will be attached to this boom with a trolley. This allows the hoist to move along the jib crane. Majority of the time the span is going to start around 8 feet, with the largest around 20 feet. The span runs roughly the length between rails of the runway on which the crane travels.

Height (HUB - Height Under Beam)

How high will the load need to be raised in order to clear any obstructions within the work area? You'll be looking at around 8 feet in height up to 20 feet. However, the purchase of just the boom of a jib crane itself can be set at any height.

Lift Frequency

Is this Jib crane going to be used every day? Factor in lift frequency because the type of electrical entry will effect hook height, roof load, and flange loading.

Stationary or Mobile

Will this be placed in a permanent spot within your facility? Stationary jibs such as a wall-mounted jib or ceiling mounted jibs can be easily rotated and require less maintenance because you wont be moving them on the floor of the facility. This makes stationary jib cranes more cost effective also because they have higher rated capacities.

Will you need to load to be moved from one area to another while the load is lifted? Articulating jib cranes allow for more rotation.

Keep in mind that typically a jib crane has the ability to rotate 180 degrees to 360 degrees. It all depends on the manufacturing environment the jib is used within. Jib cranes such as wall mounted jib cranes have a maximum rotation of 180 degrees and freestanding jib cranes have a rotation up to 360 degrees.

Back to blog