Cranes are an essential tool used by most manufacturing plants and other industrial buildings. Utilizing cranes allows for easy transportation of large, heavy, or irregular items from one area of a building to another. They provide an economical alternative to additional manpower or more labor-intensive, equipment-heavy ways to transport goods, materials, and finished products.

But cranes often require more space and clearance to operate safely and effectively. A manufacturing plant must have room and structural integrity to support the cranes it uses. Finding a building with the correct structure and ample interior space can be challenging, but pre-engineered steel buildings provide a cost-effective, high-quality solution.

A pre-engineered steel building can accommodate various crane types, making steel the ideal building material for manufacturing plants across the nation.

Installing Crane Systems in Pre-Engineered Steel Buildings

Before you build a steel building that can accommodate a crane, you have to consider several factors that will be critical during design and construction. These include:

The span of the crane
Overhead crane specifications
The distance your crane will cover
The total weight of the crane system and its maximum load capacity

Sometimes, a steel manufacturing building can be customized to eliminate the need for independent crane columns. This will not only save you money but can also free up valuable interior space.

Types of Cranes a Steel Building Can Accomodate

There are several types of overhead cranes, and knowing what they can do benefits your business. Here is a quick overview of various kinds of overhead cranes a pre-engineered steel building can accommodate.

Gantry cranes

A gantry is a portable framework used to support large pieces of equipment, such as railroad signals. Gantry cranes–as their name might suggest–are a type of overhead crane built on a gantry.

There are many sizes of gantry cranes used in different areas of construction and manufacturing. You may see them in rail yards or helping to transport shipping containers. Smaller gantry cranes have caster wheels, allowing people to move them around.

Jib cranes

Jib cranes are a mainstay in manufacturing plants. They are used in assembly lines, to assist with mining, and in factories. A jib crane is typically mounted to the floor or support beam and typically has an electric chain hoist. They can be rotated by hand, making them an essential tool for tasks involving many lifts over a short distance. Their weight capacity typically reaches their max at a few tons.

Bridge cranes

When you picture an overhead crane, you probably think about a bridge crane. This type of crane utilizes the building’s structure for its support. Generally, an overhead bridge crane uses a hoist that can move to the right or left. It may also run on a track, allowing the entire system to move throughout the building. Bridge cranes can help streamline manufacturing processes and increase productivity.

Single-girder cranes rely on one girder to support the load and are generally lighter than double-girder cranes. They can also support less weight than a double-girder crane–but still, max out at about 15 tons.

On the other hand, double-girder cranes utilize two girders to support their load, which can be as much as 250 tons.

Workstation cranes

Workstation cranes offer similar functionality to bridge cranes but do not use the building’s structure as their support. Instead, workstation cranes have their own dedicated floor-mounted supports. It is ideal for lifting heavy loads–between half a ton and several tons– shorter distances and takes up less space than a bridge crane.

Workstation cranes are an excellent option for garage mechanics and manufacturers who do not need items moved throughout the building.

Monorail cranes

A monorail crane is one of the most innovative and adaptable types of crane available. A monorail crane’s hoists move vertically, horizontally, and around curves, allowing the most movement and flexibility.

Monorail cranes are used in many assembly lines because they can accommodate curves but cannot lift as much weight as a bridge crane. However, some can lift up to six tons, making them workable in many manufacturing plants.

Top-running and under-running cranes

Top-running cranes are mounted to the top of their runway beams while under-running cranes are mounted to the underside of the beams. Under-running cranes offer the advantage of being able to be used in buildings with lower ceilings, while top-running cranes can travel longer distances. Businesses with minimal space might have to choose between having an under-running crane or no crane at all.

The type of crane you need depends greatly on the weight and load you’ll be moving and your available space.

Get a Quote Now on a Steel Crane Building

Contact the team at Titan Steel Structures today to explore our range of pre-engineered steel manufacturing buildings. Our experts can help you decide which building will meet your needs and what types of cranes it can accommodate. Give us a call today to get a quick and easy custom quote on a steel crane building.