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 units are used in warehouses and factories for loads weighing as much as 5 tons. The website BestJibCranes.com showcases the major jib crane types as being either free-standing, wall-mounted or mast mounted.
Free Standing
Free-standing jib cranes are able to stand alone not needing support from the building structure. The horizontal boom in this particular situation is connected to a pivoting vertical column which is anchored firmly to the floor of the building. This type of jib crane can rotate a full 360 degrees and requires a foundation made of either steel or concrete.
Mast-Type
The vertical column on the mast-type jib cranes are supported by pivot points at the bottom and the top. These pivots 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 connected to the wall of a building as opposed to the typical vertical column. These equipments 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 uses a tie rod which is connected from above the wall to the boom. The other kind supports the boom from below by using a cantilever brace which is also attached to the wall.