Types of Jib Cranes
Jib cranes are made up of a trolley hoist on a horizontal load-bearing boom. This boom is connected to a pivoting vertical member and up to 20 feet long. Jib cranes could transport loads between any areas within the boom's arc of rotation. Light duty models are used inside warehouses and factories for loads weighing as much as 5 tons. The BestJibCranes.com website showcases the major types of jib cranes as being either wall-mounted, mast mounted or free-standing.
Free Standing
The free-standing jib crane units do not require any support from the building structure and are able to stand by themselves. The horizontal boom in this specific case is attached to a pivoting vertical column which is solidly anchored to the building floor. This type of jib crane can rotate a full 360 degrees and needs a foundation made of either concrete or steel.
Mast-Type
The mast-type jib cranes feature a vertical column which is supported by pivot points at the top and the bottom which are connected to the building floor and the overhead steel structure. These jib-cranes offer 360 degrees of rotation with the benefit of not needing the massive foundation required for free-standing units.
Wall Mounted
The wall-mounted jib cranes offer a horizontal boom that is attached to the building wall as opposed to the typical vertical column. These equipments are ideal in areas where the full 360 degree rotation is not required and provide up to 200 degrees of rotation.
Depending on how the boom is supported, there are two model varieties. One kind utilizes a tie rod from above the boom which is attached to the wall. The other type supports the boom from below by utilizing a cantilever brace which is also attached to the wall.