Bridge Crane
A company that needs to install a bridge crane or hoist crane no longer has to build one from scratch or order a custom built crane. Such companies can now save money by ordering a crane kit.
A crane kit is a ready assembled piece of equipment that includes all of the components for a large scale bridge or hoist crane. The average kit will contain hoists, festoon, controls and radio controls.
Instead of a crane built all the company has to do is order the kit and have it shipped to their location. Once the crane arrives it can be assembled on site and installed.
Advantages to Crane Kits
There are several advantages to using kits instead of custom built cranes. The first is that the company doesn’t have to pay extra for design and custom building. Instead all the customer has to pay for is the crane assembly itself, shipping and installation.
Another advantage is that the kits use ready made off the shelf components. Since custom work is done, replacement parts won’t have to be specially fabricated. This can save a company time and money.
Production will not be held up because components for the crane have to be custom made and shipped to the location. Using kits will also reduce other service costs because service personnel will be more familiar with the kits.
Ordering a Crane Kit
There are a number of companies out there that construct kits and ship them all over North America. Typical kit cranes will come in 10 ton, 25 ton and 45 ton lift capacity versions.
A typical 10-ton lift capacity would include four top running girder cranes mounted on 600 foot runways. This could be used for a wide variety of industrial and other applications.
To order a kit, a manufacturer will have to specify the tonnage they want to lift and the conditions in the yard or building where they want it installed. It is not possible to install some kits in some buildings or yards.
Customization of Crane Kits
There are many circumstances in which a crane kit will have to be customized. Customers that want to lift really large loads usually over 40 tons will probably have to order a custom kit.
So will companies with very small buildings or work areas and those that want to lift specialized loads. Kits can be ordered with specialized controls and other modifications.
The modified kits will naturally cost more than the ordinary kits. Keeping the amount of specialization and modification low should reduce kit costs.
Used Crane Kits
A good way to save money on overhead cranes is to order a used or refurbished crane kit. Most of the crane manufacturers refurbish older equipment for future use.
Ordering a used crane can save a company money and time because new construction won’t be necessary. Manufacturers may not begin work on new kits until they have an order to fill but they may have the refurbished products in stock and ready to ship.