When an overhead crane or hoist goes down, every minute counts. As our Inside Sales Manager, Conner Davis explains, “In some situations, having the correct part can affect an entire production schedule. Getting it right on the first go can save days - if not weeks - of production.” The wrong or poor-quality replacement can turn a minor repair into a costly setback. “Trying to run a crane with something that’s incorrect or low-grade often causes more damage,” Davis says. “You end up needing more repairs and more downtime.”

Behind every beam & billet in the steel industry lies a tough, demanding process powered by even tougher equipment - Overhead cranes.

When it comes to selecting the ideal crane for your clients, understanding the differences between the types of cranes and their configurations is key to delivering the best material handling solution. At CraneWerks, we provide a variety of overhead cranes, each designed to meet specific operational needs. Today, we're taking a deep dive into Top Running Bridge Cranes and Underhung Bridge Cranes—two of the most popular systems available. We’ll also touch on additional lifting solutions like Jib Cranes, Monorails, and Gantry Cranes that can offer flexibility and efficiency for specific job sites.

A national commercial truck dealer within the transportation industry sought CraneWerks' expertise to design, build, and install an outdoor, manual freestanding monorail complete with a hoist, shelter for the hoist, and epoxy paint which could stand up to the harsh Detroit, Michigan winters. This crane was intended to facilitate the undecking of tractors from semi-trucks at their newly established facility.

A 20 ton capacity overhead crane and hoist from R&M Materials Handling Inc., sold by Harriman Material Handling (HMH), has been built and installed by CraneWerks 400 ft beneath the surface at the U.S. Gypsum Company Shoals Mine in Indiana.