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 in warehouses and factories for loads weighing as much as 5 tons. The BestJibCranes.com web site features the major jib crane models as being either mast mounted, free-standing or wall-mounted.
Free Standing
The free-standing jib crane units do not need any support from the building structure and can stand by themselves. The horizontal boom in this specific case is connected to a pivoting vertical column which is anchored firmly to the building floor. This type of jib crane can rotate a full 360 degrees and requires a foundation made of either steel or concrete.
Mast-Type
The mast-type jib cranes feature a vertical column which is supported by pivot points at the bottom and the top which are attached to the building floor and the overhead steel structure. These jib-cranes offer 360 degrees of rotation with the benefit of not requiring the massive foundation required for free-standing units.
Wall Mounted
Wall mounted jib cranes are connected to the building wall rather than supporting a normal vertical column. These cranes provide a horizontal boom. These machinery offer up to 200 degrees of rotation and are great in areas where the full 360 degree rotation is not needed.
Depending on how the boom is supported, there are two model varieties. One type uses a tie rod from above the boom which is connected to the wall. The other type supports the boom from below by utilizing a cantilever brace that is attached to the wall also.