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