How to Choose the Right Overhead Cranes in South Africa for Your Facility

Industrial cranes replace manual labour for tasks involving immense weight or height. Their lifting power handles a wide range of construction materials, heavy machinery, raw materials, and finished products across multiple operational requirements. Selecting the right type of overhead cranes in South Africa for your facility requires a clear view of crane types, load capacities, and the engineering benefits offered by specialists like Condra Cranes & Hoists.  

Considerations When Selecting Overhead Cranes in South Africa

Several parameters need to be factored in when choosing overhead cranes in South Africa:

• Load capacity requirements: Assess the maximum weight to be lifted and moved. This determines the necessary rating capacity to ensure the crane can safely and effectively handle the heaviest loads.
• Facility space and layout: Evaluate your facility’s physical constraints and floor plan. This dictates which crane configuration is the most appropriate fit for your operational space.
• Frequency of operation: Ensure durability and sustained performance for applications involving continuous or heavy-duty operations with a sturdy option, such as a double-girder crane.
• Operating environment: Consider using a bridge-type crane if it is to be used outdoors or within a hazardous or corrosive environment, as its structure is better suited to withstand external elements compared to typical indoor overhead cranes.

 

Double- and Single-Girder Cranes Explained

At Condra, we offer a wide range of cranes engineered for virtually any industrial application. Here are some of our preferred options and popular solutions:

1. Double Girder A double-girder crane incorporates two parallel beams upon which a trolley moves either between the beams or along the top. This configuration delivers superior rigidity, allowing for higher capacities, accommodating long spans, and facilitating increased lifting height. As the trolley can operate between the girders, the hoist is positioned higher, maximising the hook height, which is a distinct benefit in facilities needing to optimise headroom. Essential additions like maintenance walkways, service platforms, and auxiliary hoists can also be accommodated. This adaptability makes them exceptionally well-suited for demanding, continuous applications such as mining operations and large-scale processing plants.
2. Single Girder This type of crane uses a single main bridge beam that accommodates a trolley and hoist running along its lower flange, offering a straightforward, efficient solution suitable for lighter or moderate-duty applications. A single-girder crane provides advantages in ease of installation and simpler maintenance, coupled with lower overall weight and reduced demands on supporting structural elements. Their compact profile makes a single girder the ideal choice for retrofitting into existing buildings without requiring extensive or costly structural modifications. They are typically used in workshops or warehouses where space may be restricted and lifting cycles less frequent.
3. Specialised Bridge Crane Systems: EOTs An electric overhead travelling crane (EOT) operates along elevated runway tracks installed within industrial or manufacturing facilities. The bridge beam, or girders, together with the hoist, trolley, and end tracks, enable the crane to move heavy loads with precision, performing operations both vertically and horizontally. EOTs are electrically powered and operated through various interfaces, such as wireless remote systems or dedicated operator cabins. The cranes can be either single or double girder, depending on the loading capacity.

 

Your Trusted Crane Suppliers

Condra’s overhead cranes in South Africa are engineered and manufactured to meet rigorous specifications, including the capacity for heavy-duty operations up to and including Class 4 standards. Our commitment to quality is upheld through adherence to South African and internationally recognised quality standards and control bodies. For expert advice, consult with our qualified team.