One of the first things that come to mind is when buying a 50 ton overhead crane is its cost. It is a significant investment. In this article, we are going to discuss important factors that affect the overall cost of a 50 ton overhead crane.
Type of 50 Ton Overhead Crane
Overhead cranes are available in many different configurations such as a single girder crane or a double girder crane or an underhand bridge crane or a top running crane. The choice of a particular type of crane depends on its operation requirements as well as its application.
Span of the 50T Overhead Crane
This one is pretty obvious. In fact, it is one of the most significant contributing factors to the cost. The bigger the span of the crane, the more material is needed for building the girders which obviously results in additional cost.
Maximum Capacity
Since we are discussing a 50 ton overhead crane, it is assumed that this particular crane should be capable of lifting a maximum of 50 tons. However, it can also vary significantly in configuration depending on the type of lifting devices as well as the size of the material that needs to be lifted. These cranes are available in single hoist as well as double hoist configurations. In most cases, a double girder design will be required for a crane with 50 tons capacity.
Duty Cycle
People who are well-versed with overhead cranes know that there are many service classifications based on the frequency of use, lifts per hour, regularity of service, and other such factors. Typically, overhead cranes are classified into 6 different classes. The Class F cranes are those that are required to handle loads close to their maximum rated capacity on a continuous basis and under severe service conditions.
These heavy duty overhead cranes tend to be the most expensive as there are many additional costs related to engineering and design. Also, these cost a lot more in terms of labor, materials as well as installation. The Class A cranes tend to be the cheapest as these are not used as frequently which means there are long periods of idle time between the lifts.
Operating Environment
The working environment or operating environment also has a significant impact on its overall cost. If a crane is required to operate in severe environmental conditions such as the presence of dust, steam, chemicals or high heat, or excessive moisture, the material will need to be coated with special chemicals in order to protect its operating life.
Special components will need to be included in order to withstand the severity of the operating environment. Sometimes, explosion proof cranes are required for fertilizer plants, wastewater treatment plants, and other such facilities. A specific system is required to make the crane explosion proof which will result in additional cost.
Overall, a number of factors affect the overall cost of a 50 ton overhead crane. These factors include the type of Crane, the span of the crane, maximum rated capacity, duty cycle as well as operating environment. While there are a number of manufacturers of these cranes, it is important that you partner with someone with extensive experience in building and installing 50-ton cranes. Pay special attention to customer reviews as well as their experience in order to get the best value for your money.