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 can transport loads between any areas within the boom's arc of rotation. Light duty models are used inside warehouses and factories for loads weighing as much as 5 tons. The BestJibCranes.com web site showcases the major jib crane types as being either mast mounted, free-standing or wall-mounted.
Free Standing
The free-standing jib crane units do not require any support from the building structure and could stand by themselves. The horizontal boom in this case is attached to a pivoting vertical column which is solidly anchored to the floor of the building. This kind of jib crane requires a foundation made of either steel or concrete and can rotate a full 360 degrees.
Mast-Type
The mast-type jib cranes feature a vertical column which is supported by pivot points at the bottom and the top which are connected to the floor of the building 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 which is attached to the wall of a building rather than the regular vertical column. These machinery provide up to 200 degrees of rotation and are great in areas where the full 360 degree rotation is not required.
There are two model varieties, depending on how the boom is supported. One of the kinds utilizes a tie rod which is connected from above the wall to the boom. The other variety supports the boom from below by utilizing a cantilever brace that is attached to the wall too.