Jib cranes come in very handy when we have to move around heavy loads. There are a wide range of jib cranes to choose from depending on the work at hand. Different manufacturers have modified their own brands to suit the needs of their customers.

When choosing the suitable crane for you, you will need to consider your working space, the kind of task the crane will be handling as well as other factors. If you have a very small working space, a very big crane may not serve your purpose well.

There are professionals from crane manufacturing companies who can offer you valuable advice. Let them walk you through the various options and let them and your engineers decide on the best option for your needs.

Here are some of the models that you can access in the UK:

The Pillar jib crane LS

It weighs 100 kg with a jib length of 3 metres. It is made for low range lifting tasks. It is able to lift loads at a speed of 12 metres per minute. This makes the pillar jib crane very effective. Using an intermediate steel plate, the pillar jib crane is held steady on a base plate.

The wall jib crane LW

When you need to move light loads by hand, then this wall jib crane will come in handy. With a capacity of 200 kg and a 7 metre jib length, can be very effective in the packaging section at an industry.

The pillar jib crane LSX

Having a capacity of 500 kg and a 7 metre jib length, this crane is very effective in work places with low ceilings.

The wall jib crane LWX

This wall jib crane is specially made for lifting and lowering loads lightly. It is best suited for light tasks that require delicate handling. It has a capacity of 100 kg and a 3 meter jib length.

Pillar jib crane VS

This jib crane has an electric chain hoist. It is mostly used for lifting loads considered unsafe to be moved around by hand. It is commonly used for moving road construction materials. The crane is secured on a base foundation.

Wall jib crane VW

This is the best option for people who deal in construction of tanks and container. It is manufactured in a way that allows the user to maximise their working space. It allows you to raise loads to the maximum desired height.

The pillar jib crane VS

With a capacity of 5 tonnes and 7 metres jib length, this crane is fitted with an electric wire rope hoist.

These are just some of the common jib cranes that are used in different industries. Engineers and experts in the different fields are well placed to advice you on the best manufacturers to buy from. The manufacturer will offer installation services. Jib cranes also need regular maintenance to ensure they remain in perfect working condition. If they are not serviced and maintained in good condition, they can become a hazard at the place of work and pose serious danger to workers.

Cranes can be used to lift a wide variety of loads, up to large capacities. However if loads are a different shape to usual, they can be tricky to balance and the move effectively. This is where crane forks come in; simple, readily available attachments that can be added onto the crane in order to lift less standard loads, such as pallets and coils. With crane forks being an add on, they can be attached and used as needed, before detaching them to use the crane with a standard hoist and sling to lift more compact loads.

Crane forks are particularly useful for lifting loads such as pallets and coils, where the centre of gravity is different and the load may be larger or wider than usual. Detachable forks make it easiest for loads like this to be lifted safely and conveniently, so that the crane operators will be safe and the loads will be unharmed during the process. There are, of course, other ways these types of loads can be moved (such as with a forklift truck or with coil grabbers), but if they need to be moved whilst using a crane, then this will be the best solution.

Types of crane forks – which one will be right for different types of lifts?

There are two types of crane forks: self balancing and manual balancing. They will essentially do the same thing, but setting them up is a little different.

As the name suggests, self balancing crane forks will balance themselves and will stay level no matter what load they are lifting, so they can be easier and more convenient to use. They will generally have adjustable widths and heights to make lifting easier and more customisable, which is important when lifting pallets and coils of different sizes and capacities. They might be used most frequently on sites, where they can be used by tower cranes, overhead cranes, and hoists.

Manual balancing crane forks have adjustable tines and are most frequently used to move rings or coils. This is because the tines can be pushed together to make sure the load can be easily and safely accommodated. This also means that they can be easily adjusted to accommodate pallets of different sizes where needed. In order to balance the forks effectively, the master link will need to be hooked into a notch, which is a manual process that needs to be completed by the crane operator. Many manual balancing crane forks will also come with a chain to help secure the load.

Safety first when choosing a suitable crane fork

Crane forks can be used to lift loads of all weights, sizes and shapes. It’s always advisable to check compatibility with particular cranes, which should be confirmed before crane forks are purchased. This ensures that they can be attached securely and safely, and subsequently used in a safe manner. Check all specifications and make sure the crane forks selected can be used with the cranes that are already on site.