Blog
Engineering Notes.
Short technical articles on crane selection, maintenance, field experience and regulation.
All articles
Overhead crane components: what each part does and what to check
Bridge girder, end trucks, trolley, hoist, drives, controls, power supply and safety devices: what each overhead crane component does, how it is built and where it wears.
Crane runway requirements: beams, rails, loads and tolerances
What a crane runway consists of, who designs it, which loads and tolerances matter, and what to check before adding an overhead crane to an existing building.
Overhead Crane Dimensions: Span, Lifting Height and Headroom Explained
Span, hook height, lifting height, headroom and hook approach: what each overhead crane dimension means, how to measure it in your hall and which mistakes to avoid before you request a quote.
Crane Duty Classification: FEM, ISO and CMAA Classes Explained
What 1Am, 2m, M5, A5 or CMAA class C really mean: how load spectrum and running time set a crane's duty class, how FEM, ISO and CMAA compare, and what over- or under-specifying costs you.
Wire Rope Hoist vs Chain Hoist: Which One Does Your Crane Need?
Chain hoists suit light loads and short, frequent lifts; wire rope hoists suit heavier loads, long lifts and intensive duty. A practical comparison with decision questions.
Overhead Crane Controls: Pendant, Radio Remote or Operator Cab?
Pendant, radio remote or operator cab? How to match overhead crane controls to the operator's position, the load, the duty and the floor conditions, with a decision table.
Variable Frequency Drives on Overhead Cranes: Benefits and Limits
What a variable frequency drive changes on an overhead crane: soft starts, less load swing, precise positioning and lower wear – plus hoist brake logic, braking energy, retrofits and limits.
Crane Power Supply: Festoon or Enclosed Conductor Bar?
Conductor bar on the runway, festoon on the trolley, cable reel in the yard: how each crane power supply works, where it fits, what it needs in maintenance and how to choose.
Overhead Crane Safety Devices: What Each One Does and How to Check It
Overload limiter, limit switches, anti-collision, emergency stop, brakes and hook latch: what each overhead crane safety device protects against, how to check it and why it must never be bypassed.
