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Crane SystemJib Crane
A local lifting solution fixed at a single point, rotating on a column or wall, serving a defined radius.
What it is and how it works
A jib crane consists of a jib attached to a fixed column or wall, and a hoist that travels on this jib. The jib rotates around its own axis, thereby serving a circular working area.
It is not expected to serve the whole facility — its job is to feed a single machine, press or assembly station. Because it removes the need for the operator to lift the part by hand, it is one of the fastest-paying investments in workplace safety and ergonomics.
The column type typically rotates 180°–270°, the wall-mounted type 180°, and ceiling-mounted types can rotate 360°.
Technical specifications
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Column-mounted / Wall-mounted / Ceiling-mounted |
| Lifting capacity | Typically 0.25 – 5 tons |
| Slew angle | 180° / 270° / 360° (depending on type) |
| Jib length | According to the station's working radius |
| Hoist | Electric chain hoist or wire rope hoist |
| Rotation | Manual or motorised |
| Anchoring | Chemical anchor / anchor bolts into a reinforced concrete foundation |
Values are typical ranges; exact values become clear during engineering, based on facility dimensions and duty class.
Where it's used
- Lathe and machining centre benches
- Press and die-change stations
- Assembly lines
- Maintenance workshops
- Warehouse loading points
Technical terms
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Jib | The rotating horizontal arm on which the hoist travels. |
| Overturning moment | The effect of the load on the jib trying to tip the column over. The foundation is calculated against this. |
| Slew angle | The total angle the jib can rotate — 180°, 270° or 360°. |
| Anchor bolt | The set of bolts that fixes the column to the reinforced concrete foundation. |
| Chain hoist | A compact hoist, commonly used on jib cranes, that lifts with a chain. |
Frequently asked questions
Is a foundation needed?
Yes for the column type — a reinforced concrete foundation is needed to resist the overturning moment created by the jib. The foundation size is calculated from the capacity and jib length. For wall-mounted types the load capacity of the wall/column is checked.
Do I need a jib crane if I already have an overhead crane?
In most facilities, yes. The overhead crane is a shared resource; calling it continually for a single machine slows the line down. The jib crane is the station's own lifting device and leaves the overhead crane free for its main job.