Types of Jib Cranes
Jib cranes are made up of a trolley hoist on a horizontal load-bearing boom. This boom is attached 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 factories and warehouses for loads weighing as much as 5 tons. The website BestJibCranes.com 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 connected to a pivoting vertical column which is anchored firmly to the floor of the building. This type of jib crane requires a foundation made of either concrete or steel and could rotate a full 360 degrees.
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 attached to the floor of the building and the overhead steel structure. These jib-cranes provide 360 degrees of rotation with the benefit of not needing the massive foundation required for free-standing units.
Wall Mounted
The wall-mounted jib cranes offer a horizontal boom that is attached to the building wall as opposed to the normal vertical column. These machinery offer up to 200 degrees of rotation and are great in places where the full 360 degree rotation is not needed.
There are two model varieties, depending on how the boom is supported. One of the types uses a tie rod which is attached from above the wall to the boom. The other variety supports the boom from below by using a cantilever brace that is connected to the wall also.