Date: 5/30/2025
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Special Features: Extreme Dimensions - Lifts, Spans & Runways
Handling large and heavy components efficiently and safely is paramount in industries that require extreme dimensions. Special features in lifts, spans and runways are often essential to meet these demanding requirements. Industries that routinely deal with massive structures, heavy machinery and extensive material transport needs include:
- Aerospace
- Ship Building
- Steel & Metal Processing
- Mining Operations
- Power Plant Maintenance
Standard equipment often fails to handle these extreme dimensions. Special features designed for extreme dimensions support the safe lifting and movement of heavy loads in the most cost-effective way, optimize workspace utilization and streamline processes, ultimately driving productivity and reducing operational costs.
Extreme Dimensions - Lifts, Spans & Runways
Cantilever Cranes
Bridge girders on an underrunning crane can be designed with a cantilever on one or both ends to increase the span and floor coverage for the application while using the existing runway structure.
Industries and examples:
Aerospace: Used in hangars to support the assembly of large aircraft components.
Ship Building: Utilized to handle large sections of vessels.
Extended Reach
Some hoists can be fitted with specialty drum lengths to achieve extended lift heights. In some instances, adding extra rope to a standard drum and extending the hoist's headroom can be a cost-effective alternative for extending the hoist’s overall reach.
Industries and examples:
Aerospace: Essential for vertical lifting to significant heights during assembly and maintenance of satellites and space shuttles.
Steel & Metal Processing: Useful in lifting materials from one floor to another or turning large, finished goods.
Mining Operations: Required for lifting materials from deep mining shafts.
Waste Water Maintenance: Required for lifting pumps for regular maintenance.
Multiple Runways
Multiple runways on an underrunning crane allow for long open spans in lighter-capacity applications without needing large and costly box girders. For multiple-runway applications, consider increasing travel speeds and using RaCon® radio controllers for optimal floor coverage and ease of operation.
Industries and examples:
Aerospace: Provides efficient movement of aircraft components across large hangars without the need for columns that could prevent efficient navigation of the materials.
Ship Building: Facilitates the transport of ship sections.
Automotive: Allows for maximum floor coverage and flexibility by reducing the number of columns on the floor, to support frequently changing assembly processes.
Long Spans
Bogie end trucks are recommended for long-span applications due to their four-wheel design, which enhances load distribution and allows for smaller rail sizes, which means lower costs for steel components and a reduced overall building envelope for the crane Additionally, they enable quicker and safer installation.
Industries and examples:
Aerospace: Supports large assembly areas with long spans for aircraft construction.
Steel & Metal Processing: Handles heavy loads over long distances within processing facilities.
Mining Operations: Assists in transporting materials over long distances in mining sites.
Power Plant Maintenance: Facilitates the maintenance and repair of large machinery over wide areas.
Heavy Usage
Derating a larger hoist or using inverter-controlled hoisting can improve lifespan, reduce wear and enhance safety. Changing variables, such as hoisting speed or average capacity affects the duty cycle calculation, so that the hoist is no longer used at near-capacity and full duty cycle. Other features like heavy-duty wire rope and class H trolley motor insulation also improve performance and decrease the total cost of ownership.
Industries and examples:
Steel & Metal Processing: Supports heavy-duty operation in lifting and moving heavy steel products.
Mining Operations: Handles frequent and heavy lifting in challenging mining environments.
Paper Mill: Enables heavy-duty lifting of raw materials and paper rolls.
Benefits of Special Features for Extreme Dimensions - Lifts, Spans & Runways
By addressing the unique challenges of handling extreme dimensions, these special features enable industries to operate more efficiently, safely and productively.
Enhanced Efficiency
Specialized features improve the speed and efficiency of operations across all applications, leading to increased productivity and reduced operational costs. Having a single crane that covers the entire factory floor and all operational needs offers a more flexible and functional tool that allows operators to set down and pick up loads using the same equipment.
Increased Productivity
Wide spans provide ample space while keeping the factory floor free of columns, facilitating smoother and faster assembly, processing and maintenance. This efficiency streamlines processes, resulting in higher productivity and operational capacity.
Operational Flexibility
These features provide the flexibility needed to handle various tasks and challenges, allowing industries to adapt to changing requirements. For example, wide spans allow for the flexible arrangement of machinery and equipment, easily facilitating reconfiguration of the workspace to meet changing operational needs.
Cost Savings
Efficiency improvements, reduced labor costs and minimized downtime offer significant cost savings over time. Robust lifting equipment reduces the need for manual labor, leading to cost savings in labor expenses.
Do you experience unique challenges associated with extreme dimensions? Contact us online or call 800-955-9967 to speak with an expert about special features to fit your needs.