Jib cranes are commonly used for a wide variety of applications. Consisting of a crane with a horizontal arm along which a trolley moves, industrial jib cranes come in several types. Choosing the right commercial jib crane for your business is largely a matter of understanding jib crane specifications.

To determine which type of heavy duty jib cranes are best for your business, you'll need to pin point the exact use or usages the cranes will be needed for. Then, before you begin scoping out the websites of jib crane manufacturers, consider the following:

1. Do you need a workhorse jib crane that can be used for a wide variety of applications?

2. Do you need to cut costs by choosing lighter-weight jib cranes?

3. Do you require an industrial jib crane primarily for moving loads?

4. Will a speciality jib crane serve your purposes while saving you money?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose a workhorse jib crane for most applications

A structural beam jib crane is possibly the most versatile, heavy duty jib crane available. They are ideal for working beneath larger bridge cranes and are also used for dock loading, or in situations where they can be used with other jib cranes in assembly production. This type of jib crane may be floor or insert mounted.

I recommend: Equipment Fabricators Inc. offers several types of structural beam jibs, including those for light and heavy duty. JibCrane-Outlet.com also offers a free standing structural beam jib crane.

Pick less expensive workstation jib cranes

Usually lighter than traditional jib cranes, workstation jib cranes are perfect for working in a circular area. They are also generally less expensive than structural beam jib cranes. Many may be bolted directly in place without the use of foundations.

I recommend: Spanco offers freestanding and wall cantilever workstation jib cranes, and will customize them to suit your specific needs. GORBEL Inc. manufactures some of the highest quality jibs available, including workstation jibs with 100 to 1,000 lbs. capacity.

Seek out articulating commercial jib cranes for moving loads

Articulating jib cranes are good at reaching things other jib cranes just can't. They are ideal for shifting loads around corners and columns, as well as reaching into containers or machinery. They come in freestanding, bridge mounted, wall mounted, and ceiling mounted styles.

I recommend: Dearborn Overhead Crane offers a number of articulating jibs, including the free standing variety, a ceiling mounted version, and a wall mounted version. L.K. Goodwin Co. carries articulating jib cranes that will rotate 360 degrees and span 16 feet.

Select foundationless jib cranes to save money

Perhaps the most useful speciality industrial jib cranes are the foundationless (also known as 'no footing') type. Foundations for cranes can often cost as much as--sometimes more than!--the crane itself, so foundationless styles can cut costs considerably. They are also easier to move from location to location.

I recommend: JibCraneWarehouse.com carries foundationless jibs with capacities of up to 1,000 lbs. Mt. Clemens Crane & Service Co., Inc. offers a similar selection.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  No matter how new or well manufactured your jib cranes are, it's a good idea to inspect them regularly to prevent avoidable accidents among your work crew. OSHA provides specific guidelines for doing so.