Overhead cranes come in two basic styles: single-girder and double-girder. Understanding the difference between the two is essential if you want to purchase the right type of crane for your business.
On an overhead crane, a girder is a heavy-duty steel beam that runs horizontally above the ground. Each end of the girder is attached to the wall or to a support leg, depending on the style of the crane.
Single-girder cranes have one girder while double-girder cranes have two girders running next to one another in a parallel line. There is a common misconception that double-girder cranes are stronger than their single-girder counterparts.
In fact, however, single-girder cranes can be every bit as strong as double-girder cranes assuming they are well-designed. To increase their lifting capacity, they use stronger crossbeams. They also have lateral support braces that increase their strength and durability.
As long as they are designed correctly, both styles are comparable in terms of their strength. Given that, why would you choose a double girder-overhead crane for your business? What are the benefits of including an extra girder in the design?
The primary advantage of the double-girder design is that the height of the hook can be quite a bit higher above the ground. Depending on the crane, the hook height on a double-girder model is usually anywhere from about 2 to 3 feet higher than on a single-girder model. This has to do with the way that the trolley is mounted.
With single-girder cranes, the trolley is mounted underneath the girder. Both it and the hoist hang down from the bottom of the beam. This reduces the amount of overhead clearance, causing the hook to hang quite a bit lower in the room.
With double-girder cranes, on the other hand, the trolley is mounted either on top of or between the girders. This raises the hoist higher above the ground, creating a greater hook height. As a result, there is more overhead clearance.
Based on all of this, why would you want to choose a double-girder crane for your business? One reason would be if your building doesn’t have high ceilings. In structures with low ceilings, single-girder designs may cause the hook to hang too low. Switching to a double-girder design raises the hook up higher, helping to ensure that there is plenty of clearance.
You also may want to opt for a double-girder crane if the distance that the crane needs to span is extremely wide. Single-girder cranes are usually recommended for relatively short spans, while double-girder models are usually considered a better choice for spanning longer distances.
Trying to figure out what type of crane you need can be a little bit tricky. There are a lot of different styles out there, each offering different advantages and disadvantages. Discussing your options with an expert can help you determine which type of crane you should buy. By explaining how you plan to use the crane, where it will be installed, and what types of loads you plan on carrying, a qualified crane specialist can help you choose the perfect crane for your business: https://overheadcranesmanufacturer.com/overhead-crane-for-sale/