The Advantages of Under Running Overhead Cranes in Low Headroom Spaces

Under running overhead cranes are a type of crane that are designed to provide efficient lifting solutions in areas with limited space and low headroom. They are designed to travel on the bottom flange of the crane runway, allowing for maximum use of overhead space.

If your facility lacks overhead space or has multiple obstructions, installing an overhead crane can be challenging. However, there are economic solutions available for applications requiring overhead lift in a facility where headroom is limited. Under-running bridge cranes are an excellent solution for applications that require overhead lift in a factory with low headroom or limited factory space.

Advantages of Under Running Overhead Cranes

Under-running bridge cranes are designed for flexibility and functionality. While top-running cranes are designed to lift massive loads, under-running cranes provide an ergonomic design that offers versatility and usability. That’s because under-running bridge cranes travel beneath the runway, which allows you to maximize the distance from the ground to the hook. Under-running cranes use end trucks that travel on the bottom flange of the crane runway and can be suspended directly from the overhead building structure without the need for interfering support columns.

Reduced Building Costs

One of the main benefits of under-running overhead cranes is that they can help to reduce building costs. This is because they require less headroom and clearance space, meaning that smaller buildings can be used for lifting heavy materials.

Increased Floor Space

Another advantage of under-running overhead cranes is that they can increase floor space in a building. This is because they do not require the same amount of space as traditional overhead cranes, allowing for more floor space to be used for other purposes.

Cost-Effective Solution

An under-hung crane system is generally much lighter than a top-running system, and a long under-running system can easily operate using multiple runways. This helps to minimize the depth of the bridge girder and decrease the weight of the operating equipment, resulting in lower equipment costs and lighter design requirements for the building or support structure.

Enhanced Safety

Under-running overhead cranes are designed with safety in mind. They have a low profile design, reducing the risk of accidents and collisions. Additionally, they have a built-in safety feature that prevents them from traveling beyond the end of the runway.

Versatility

Under-running overhead cranes are versatile and can be used in a variety of applications. They are particularly useful in areas with limited space and low headroom, making them an ideal choice for factories, warehouses, and other industrial settings.

Under-Running Workstation Bridge Cranes

If your application requires the use of an overhead bridge crane system, but you’re concerned about low headroom, too much weight on your support structure, or maximizing your lift distance, an under-running, enclosed track workstation bridge crane may be the perfect solution for your needs.

Advantages of Workstation Bridge Cranes

Most enclosed track workstation bridge cranes are designed for lighter loads than top-running bridge cranes. A workstation bridge crane with an enclosed track is usually rated for loads up to 4,000 pounds, so if your application requires very heavy lifting, it may not be the system for you. However, many applications in manufacturing and other industrial sectors don’t necessarily require a lift system with that type of lift power.

The enclosed track allows the trolley to move smoothly, making it easier to operate and control than other systems. The track’s V-shaped profile also prevents dirt and accumulation from forming inside the tracks and maintains end truck and trolley-wheel alignment. The trussed enclosed track permits increased spans, which means fewer supports are needed for runway space. That also helps to keep overhead space clear.

Easy to Install, Expand and Relocate

Under-running workstation bridge cranes are easier to install, expand, and relocate. They can operate beneath overhead obstacles and even larger overhead cranes, if equipment is more of a concern than factory space. Another major advantage of using under-running workstation bridge cranes is their unique ability to operate side-by-side without interfering with one another or the overall operation. In fact, multiple under-running crane runways can be installed adjacent to one another and operate simultaneously.

Customizable to Your Needs

With multiple options like telescoping bridges, tractor drives, double-girder nested trolleys, and cantilevered runways, workstation bridge cranes are easily customizable to your needs and will help you make the most of your factory space.

Under-running overhead cranes offer a range of benefits, including reduced building costs, increased floor space, enhanced safety, and versatility. If you are looking for a lifting solution for limited space and low headroom applications, an under-running overhead crane may be the ideal choice. With its efficient design and safety features, it can help to improve productivity and reduce costs in your facility.

If you need an overhead lift system to meet your material handling needs but your factory can’t support a top-running bridge crane and your application does not require very heavy lifting (over 4000 pounds), an under-running, enclosed track workstation bridge crane may be the best solution for your operation. These cranes are cost-effective, flexible, and easy to install, expand, and relocate, making them an excellent investment for any facility.