Types of Jib Cranes
Jib cranes are made up of a trolley hoist on a horizontal load-bearing boom. This boom is attached 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 units are utilized within factories and warehouses for loads weighing as much as 5 tons. The BestJibCranes.com website showcases the major jib crane types as being either free-standing, wall-mounted or mast mounted.
Free Standing
The free-standing jib crane models do not need any support from the building structure and can stand by themselves. The horizontal boom in this situation is connected to a pivoting vertical column which is firmly anchored to the building floor. This kind of jib crane needs 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 bottom and the top that are attached to the building floor and the overhead steel structure. These jib-cranes provide 360 degrees of rotation with the benefit of not needing the massive foundation needed for free-standing units.
Wall Mounted
Wall mounted jib cranes are connected to the building wall instead of supporting a regular vertical column. These cranes provide a horizontal boom. These equipments offer up to 200 degrees of rotation and are great in areas where the full 360 degree rotation is not needed.
There are two model varieties, depending on how the boom is supported. One of the types utilizes a tie rod which is connected from above the wall to the boom. The other variety supports the boom from below by using a cantilever brace that is also attached to the wall.