How to Choose Cranes

It should be determined according to the maximum weight that actually needs to be lifted, taking into account factors such as the weight of the goods themselves, the weight of the lifting appliances, and possible dynamic loads. Generally speaking, to ensure safety and the service life of the equipment, the lifting capacity of the gantry crane selected should be slightly greater than the actual maximum lifting weight.

The span refers to the distance between the two legs of the gantry crane, which needs to be determined according to the layout and requirements of the operation site. For example, in port terminals or railway freight yards, factors such as the width of the cargo stacking area and the passage space for transportation vehicles should be considered; in industrial and mining enterprises, factors such as the span of workshops and warehouses, as well as the material handling routes in the production process, should be taken into account.

The lifting height should meet the requirement of lifting the goods to the required height, including the distance from the ground to the highest working position, as well as the possible passing space height below the goods, such as the height of transportation vehicles and equipment. At the same time, the height limitations of the factory building or operation site should also be considered to ensure that the crane will not collide with buildings or other obstacles during the lifting process.

It includes the lifting speed, the running speed of the trolley, and the running speed of the gantry. The working speed should be selected according to the requirements of the actual operation efficiency. For example, in situations where goods need to be loaded and unloaded quickly, such as in port terminals, a higher working speed is required; while in some operations with higher precision requirements, such as the lifting of precision equipment, the speed should be appropriately reduced to ensure the accuracy and safety of the operation.

The working class is an indicator to measure the working intensity of the gantry crane, which is determined by two factors: the usage level and the load status. The working class should be determined according to the actual working conditions of the crane, such as the frequency of use and the size of the load lifted each time. For example, for cranes that are frequently used and often lift goods close to the rated lifting weight, products with a higher working class should be selected; in situations with a lower frequency of use and lighter loads, cranes with a lower working class can be selected to reduce costs.

There are various structural forms of gantry cranes, such as single main beam, double main beam, semi-gantry, etc. The single main beam structure is simple, has a light self-weight, and a low cost, and is suitable for situations where the lifting capacity is small and the span is not large; the double main beam gantry crane has better rigidity and stability and is suitable for situations with a large lifting capacity and a large span; the semi-gantry crane is suitable for operation sites where there are high buildings or obstacles on one side and an open space on the other side.

The performance of the electrical control system directly affects the operational convenience, safety, and reliability of the crane. An electrical control system with advanced control technology, good speed regulation performance, and complete protection functions (such as overload protection, limit protection, short-circuit protection, etc.) should be selected. At the same time, the anti-interference ability of the electrical system and its adaptability to different working environments, such as harsh environments with high temperatures, humidity, and dust, should be considered.

Choose gantry cranes from well-known brands, as their product quality, process level, and reliability are usually more guaranteed. At the same time, it is necessary to understand the after-sales service capabilities of the manufacturer, including the coverage of the after-sales service network, the repair response time, and the timeliness of spare parts supply. Good after-sales service can ensure that the crane can be repaired in a timely manner when a failure occurs during use, reducing downtime and minimizing the impact on production.

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