l sellers to put in writing that the whole overhead crane is a certain type of rating. This includes mechanically, electrically, and structurally. Some overhead crane manufacturers will sell a “Class D electrical” overhead crane. This does not mean it is structurally or mechanically Class D, and makes for a significantly mismatched comparison.

STEP THREE: Get compe

Buying an Overhead Crane, Gantry Crane, or Jib Crane can be a tough task. Often, buyers know just enough to make themselves dangerous. In other words, decisions can be made to over-buy or under-buy an overhead crane that will cost the buyer either in purchase money or repair costs. Wise buyers of overhead cranes and similar products follow the three-step method to getting a technically-correct overhead crane at the best price commercially available.

STEP ONE: Understand not only what the overhead crane capacity is, but what the duty cycle is. Duty cycle is a measure of how hard the overhead crane is used. In this respect, an overhead crane is just like a internal combustion engine – although redline may be at 7,000 revolutions per minute, the engine will not last if it runs at redline twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. It’s best to find a worksheet or chart that can help better understand the duty cycle the overhead crane should be rated at. Proper duty cycle selection can easily save $20,000 over two years.

STEP TWO: Get an apples-to-apples comparison, and get it in writing. Different crane manufacturers use different standardized and not-so-standardized systems to rate duty cycle of overhead cranes. In the last few years, I’ve seen duty cycle expressed in the following ways: “H-rating”, meaning H1, H2, H3, etc…, “M-rating”, meaning M2, M3, M4…, and a letter-rating, meaning A, B, C… It’s okay to use any of these, but get all three of your potential sellers to put in writing that the whole overhead crane is a certain type of rating. This includes mechanically, electrically, and structurally. Some overhead crane manufacturers will sell a “Class D electrical” overhead crane. This does not mean it is structurally or mechanically Class D, and makes for a significantly mismatched comparison.

STEP THREE: Get compet

g a technically-correct overhead crane at the best price commercially available.

STEP ONE: Understand not only what the overhead crane capacity is, but what the duty cycle is. Duty cycle is a measure of how hard the overhead crane is used. In this respect, an overhead crane is just like a internal combustion engine – although redline may be at 7,000 revolutions per minute, the engine will not last if it runs at redline twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. It’s best to find a worksheet or chart that can help better understand the duty cycle the overhead crane should be rated at. Proper duty cycle selection can easily save $20,000 over two years.

STEP TWO: Get an apples-to-apples comparison, and get it in writing. Different crane manufacturers use different standardized and not-so-standardized systems to rate duty cycle of overhead cranes. In the last few years, I’ve seen duty cycle expressed in the following ways: “H-rating”, meaning H1, H2, H3, etc…, “M-rating”, meaning M2, M3, M4…, and a letter-rating, meaning A, B, C… It’s okay to use any of these, but get all three of your potential sellers to put in writing that the whole overhead crane is a certain type of rating. This includes mechanically, electrically, and structurally. Some overhead crane manufacturers will sell a “Class D electrical” overhead crane. This does not mean it is structurally or mechanically Class D, and makes for a significantly mismatched comparison.

STEP THREE: Get compe

minute, the engine will not last if it runs at redline twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. It’s best to find a worksheet or chart that can help better understand the duty cycle the overhead crane should be rated at. Proper duty cycle selection can easily save $20,000 over two years.

STEP TWO: Get an apples-to-apples comparison, and get it in writing. Different crane manufacturers use different standardized and not-so-standardized systems to rate duty cycle of overhead cranes. In the last few years, I’ve seen duty cycle expressed in the following ways: “H-rating”, meaning H1, H2, H3, etc…, “M-rating”, meaning M2, M3, M4…, and a letter-rating, meaning A, B, C… It’s okay to use any of these, but get all three of your potential sellers to put in writing that the whole overhead crane is a certain type of rating. This includes mechanically, electrically, and structurally. Some overhead crane manufacturers will sell a “Class D electrical” overhead crane. This does not mean it is structurally or mechanically Class D, and makes for a significantly mismatched comparison.

STEP THREE: Get compe

ent crane manufacturers use different standardized and not-so-standardized systems to rate duty cycle of overhead cranes. In the last few years, I’ve seen duty cycle expressed in the following ways: “H-rating”, meaning H1, H2, H3, etc…, “M-rating”, meaning M2, M3, M4…, and a letter-rating, meaning A, B, C… It’s okay to use any of these, but get all three of your potential sellers to put in writing that the whole overhead crane is a certain type of rating. This includes mechanically, electrically, and structurally. Some overhead crane manufacturers will sell a “Class D electrical” overhead crane. This does not mean it is structurally or mechanically Class D, and makes for a significantly mismatched comparison.

STEP THREE: Get compe

l sellers to put in writing that the whole overhead crane is a certain type of rating. This includes mechanically, electrically, and structurally. Some overhead crane manufacturers will sell a “Class D electrical” overhead crane. This does not mean it is structurally or mechanically Class D, and makes for a significantly mismatched comparison.

STEP THREE: Get competitive proposals for your overhead crane needs. Overhead crane manufacturers are plentiful. If you aren’t currently dealing with one that is completely helpful, timely, and knowledgeable, there is one out there waiting to be all of the above. There’s no need to be taken advantage of because of the frequent changes in management, production schedules, and components used by overhead crane manufacturers.

CONCLUSION Buying an overhead crane, gantry crane, or jib crane does not have to be a painful experience. To buy the technically correct crane for the best commercially available price, understand your duty cycle, get apples-to-apples comparisons, and get competitive proposals. The extra time spent will deliver both financial and mental rewards. An overhead crane should be like a good truck – a tool that lasts for years and works like a trusted friend. http://www.alliancewestern.com/cranehome.htm