Posts by developer
The Benefits of an Aluminum Gantry Crane Over an Engine Hoist
One common tool found in many automotive garages is the engine hoist. A typical garage engine hoist consists of a wheeled base, a post, and a cantilever arm. The base uses two legs extending forward from the post past the end of the cantilever arm. These legs fit underneath a vehicle to allow the arm…
Read MoreIntroduction to Construction Cranes
Cranes are some of the most important equipment in the construction industry. Modern construction cranes include fixed tower cranes, huge shipyard gantry cranes, drivable truck-mounted cranes, and more. Different kinds of cranes work in very different ways, so every construction crane is perfectly suited to the job it is designed to do. The earliest cranes…
Read MoreCrane Operation and Wireless Controls
Wireless remote radio control is an emerging option for crane operation that comes with several benefits over traditional crane controls. These benefits include safer operations, better maneuverability, and improved working times. Before the rise of radio controls, cranes have typically been operated with one of two kinds of controls: bridge-mounted cab controls or wired pendant…
Read MoreMMA-MHI: the Standards of Overhead Crane Safety
The Monorail Manufacturers Association is a trade association affiliated the Material Handling Industry and is a leading authority in overhead cranes and material handling. MMA works closely with OSHA and other safety organizations to promote and ensure safe use of overhead track systems in all material handling industries. Many MMA members sit on MHI committees…
Read MoreGantry Cranes: Moving Under Load
One of the biggest benefits of using a Spanco Gantry Crane is the ability to move your gantry crane while it is carrying a load. While many manufacturers strictly limit the ability to move a gantry crane under load or prohibit it completely, all Spanco cranes are designed to be moved under load. Using a…
Read MoreQuestions to Ask to Ensure Worker Safety with Foundationless Jib Cranes
Foundationless Jib cranes, also known as industrial slab-mounted jib cranes, are bolted directly to an existing concrete floor. Using the existing floor means that you don’t need to purchase a costly special foundation. Plus, you can install and use the system sooner because you don’t need to wait for concrete to cure. Using the existing…
Read MoreBenefits of Nylacron™ Casters
In August, we posted an article that briefly covered each of the three types of casters most often used by Spanco. Today, we’re taking a closer look at one of those types: the Nylacron caster by Acorn Industrial Products. Although any Spanco gantry can use them, Nylacron casters are typically used as a cost-effective alternative…
Read MoreBasic Do’s and Don’ts for Crane Operation
Accidents happen. Even the best, most skilled operator is still human. That’s why we wanted to review basic crane operation rules from the Crane Manufacturers Association of America. Next to safety inspections, brushing up on established guidelines is the best way to ensure that you are taking advantage of the absolute highest safety standards available. The…
Read MoreThe Dangers of the Fall Zone
On November 2, 2007, a journeyman iron worker endured fractured vertebrae after being struck by sheets of plywood that fell out of a basket sling. The worker had given a signal to the crane operator to begin lifting the load while he was still within the fall zone. Sadly, suspended load accidents such as this…
Read MoreWorkstation Jibs vs. Standard Jibs
We recently published a blog post outlining the differences between trussed enclosed track, trussed plain track, and I-beams. As of late, we’ve received a lot of inquiries about the differences between each type of track, along with how those track types impact the construction and use of certain overhead cranes. Although most manufacturers use enclosed…
Read MoreThe Importance of Crane Safety Inspection
The usage of cranes in the construction and manufacturing industry plays a vital role in the way companies function. Crane systems allow for a more effortless and safer operation when transporting products and bulk materials. However, what happens when the very machine that is suppose to make a job easier and safer, no longer is…
Read MorePut Your Forklift to Work with A Portable Freestanding Workstation Jib Crane
Many companies—manufacturing, metal fabrication, construction, or otherwise—still regard forklifts and lift trucks as the de facto means of material handling. They are relatively inexpensive and readily available, and training operators takes little time. But, while a forklift can get you from point A to point B in most any setting, it can’t always meet the…
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