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 transport loads between any areas within the boom's arc of rotation. Light duty models are used within warehouses and factories for loads weighing as much as 5 tons. The BestJibCranes.com website features the major kinds of jib cranes as being either mast mounted, free-standing or wall-mounted.
Free Standing
Free-standing jib cranes could stand alone not requiring support from the building structure. The horizontal boom in this case is attached to a pivoting vertical column that is solidly anchored to the floor of the building. This type of jib crane needs a foundation made of either steel or concrete and is able to rotate a full 360 degrees.
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 building floor and the overhead steel structure. These jib-cranes offer 360 degrees of rotation with the benefit of not needing the massive foundation needed for free-standing units.
Wall Mounted
The wall-mounted jib cranes offer a horizontal boom that is attached to the wall of a building as opposed to the regular vertical column. These machinery provide up to 200 degrees of rotation and are ideal in places where the full 360 degree rotation is not needed.
Depending on how the boom is supported, there are two model varieties. One kind uses a tie rod from above the boom that is attached to the wall. The other kind supports the boom from below by using a cantilever brace which is connected to the wall as well.