Advantages of Tripod Cranes

Tripod cranes are flexible tools for lifting items in multiple industries, including film, furniture, military, waste management, and construction. They’re lightweight, highly portable cranes that can travel and stand where other lifting equipment can’t.

Learn more about tripod crane benefits and how they compare to other cranes in this guide.

Understanding Tripod Cranes

 

Tripod cranes are a type of lifting equipment with three adjustable telescoping legs. They are the perfect lifting solution for locations that are inaccessible with a crane or forklift and for sites with no overhead lifting structure. The adjustable legs make them ideal for areas with uneven terrain. 

Tripod cranes can also fit into tight spaces where similar-capacity gantry cranes cannot.

Industrial Tripod Crane Advantages

Tripod cranes are a convenient and easy-to-setup solution for people who need cranes with mobility and flexibility. Discover the benefits of industrial tripod cranes below to determine if they are the right choice for your applications.

1. Easy Transportation

One of the biggest tripod crane advantages is their portability. The telescoping legs can collapse into small enough sizes to transport easily from one jobsite to another. Their lightweight steel and aluminum construction makes tripod cranes light enough for one or two people to carry, making setup quick and easy.

2. Flexibility and Adaptability

Tripod cranes can work for multiple applications with varying height requirements. Thanks to their tripod design and telescoping legs, you can adjust the height of each leg to ensure the crane stays level. This flexibility is necessary if your job environment changes frequently or you hoist materials in hard-to-reach locations.

3. All-Terrain Capabilities

Another benefit of tripod cranes is their all-terrain capabilities. For example, Spanco industrial tripod cranes have standard aluminum flat feet, which allow them to rest on hard surfaces. If you need to use them on soft ground, you can equip mud feet. 

Mud feet have spikes and flanges that firmly entrench the legs in the ground and stop them from sinking too deep. The feet are interchangeable for maximum versatility, so you can use the crane on whatever surface the job requires.

4. Stability

The interchangeable feet also help make tripod cranes stable on uneven ground. If you are working on an unpaved surface that isn’t quite level, you can adjust the telescoping legs for optimal balance while the mud feet keep it securely in place. The standard aluminum feet can keep the crane level on irregular, hard surfaces like a sidewalk curb.

Choosing the Right Crane for the Job

Whenever you have a material handling job, it is important to use the right crane. If you’re unsure which option is suitable for your applications, consider the following common crane types and their best uses:

• Permanent overhead cranes: Mounted overhead cranes, like jib, bridge, and workstation cranes, sit directly above workstations to hoist and transport heavy materials. They’re useful for repetitive, heavy-lifting tasks in a fixed location. They have limited mobility because you typically install them by bolting them to the floor, wall, or ceiling.
• Mobile gantry cranes: Gantry cranes are a more flexible solution for heavy-lifting applications. They feature upright legs on wheels, allowing them to move around easily. They’re ideal for indoor and outdoor facilities with flat surfaces, particularly when overhead support is unavailable.
• Tripod cranes: Tripod cranes are best for temporary locations with lower lifting capacity requirements. They’re light, compact, and easy to transport. You can also use them on uneven surfaces and in tight spaces.

Spanco Industrial Tripod Cranes — available in steel and aluminum — have lifting capacities of either 1 or 2 tons. You can adjust each leg independently in 6-inch increments, making them highly adaptable. Their height capabilities range from 5 feet 2 inches to 13 feet 9 inches. You’ll also receive a cable lashing kit with your crane to keep the legs from spreading and ensure proper leg spacing.

Purchase High-Quality Tripod Cranes From Spanco

Spanco manufactures high-quality, cost-effective material handling solutions, including industrial tripod cranes. When you choose our products, you can trust they’ll perform the job exactly as expected.

All Spanco cranes comply with relevant industry standards, including the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA), American National Standards Institute (ANSI), Monorail Manufacturers Association (MMA), and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We are also ISO 9001:2015 certified and a Certified Welding Fabricator with the American Welding Society.

Try our online system selector if you’re unsure which crane is best for your application. We’re also happy to help you find the right product and answer any questions. For more complex material handling challenges, our talented team of engineers can create a custom crane solution to meet your needs.

Find a local Spanco distributor, or contact us today to get started.