Kinds 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 units are used within factories and warehouses for loads weighing as much as 5 tons. The web site BestJibCranes.com showcases the major jib crane models as being either free-standing, wall-mounted or mast mounted.
Free Standing
Free-standing jib cranes could stand alone not needing support from the building structure. The horizontal boom in this case is connected to a pivoting vertical column which is solidly anchored to the building floor. This kind of jib crane can rotate a full 360 degrees and needs 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 top and the bottom which 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 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 regular vertical column. These cranes provide a horizontal boom. These equipments are ideal in places where the full 360 degree rotation is not required and provide up to 200 degrees of rotation.
There are two model varieties, depending on how the boom is supported. One of the kinds uses a tie rod which is connected from above the wall to the boom. The other kind supports the boom from below by utilizing a cantilever brace that is also attached to the wall.