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 utilized inside factories and warehouses for loads weighing up to 5 tons. The web site BestJibCranes.com features the major jib crane types 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 could stand by themselves. The horizontal boom in this specific situation is connected to a pivoting vertical column which is anchored solidly to the floor of the building. This kind of jib crane can rotate a full 360 degrees and needs a foundation made of either concrete or steel.
Mast-Type
The vertical column on the mast-type jib cranes are supported by pivot points at the top and the bottom. These pivots are connected to the floor of the building and the overhead steel structure. These jib-cranes offer 360 degrees of rotation with the advantage of not needing the massive foundation required for free-standing units.
Wall Mounted
The wall-mounted jib cranes provide a horizontal boom which is connected to the wall of a building rather than the typical vertical column. These equipments are great in places where the full 360 degree rotation is not needed and offer up to 200 degrees of rotation.
Depending on how the boom is supported, there are two model varieties. One kind uses a tie rod from above the boom that is connected to the wall. The other variety supports the boom from below by utilizing a cantilever brace that is also connected to the wall.