📅 DECEMBER 9, 2025

This Condra 4-ton overhead crane with suspended helicopter fuselage accurately replicates helicopter motion in the hover, allowing simulated but realistic training of emergency rescue teams.

They are part of the University of Johannesburg’s newly opened Rescue Centre.

By lifting, rotating and tilting the suspended Eurocopter A365N3 helicopter fuselage above a five metre deep survival pool, the crane helps deliver an authentic, low-risk training experience at economical cost, allowing trainees to prepare for real world rescue conditions.

Officially opened in October 2025, the Rescue Centre is a four storey high, 3000 square-metre building equipped with a plethora of specialised machinery to immerse trainees in controllable air rescue conditions of high wind, rough seas and heavy rain.

Hundreds of hours of design work went into the integration of crane and helicopter through a complex system of electronics and control systems.

UJ’s Rescue Centre addresses a critical gap in regional training capabilities by providing an accessible environment to train and re-train coast guard teams,

 oil-rig rescue and multiple other crews who execute land-sea emergency rescue missions.

It is the only facility of its kind in Africa, establishing Johannesburg as the continent’s hub for advanced rescue training. Teams that previously had to train abroad for mandatory certification can now train closer to home at lower cost and without any need to use actual helicopters in potentially dangerous weather conditions.

Visit Condra’s website: www.condra.co.za

________________________________________________________________

Issued on behalf of Condra (Pty) Ltd
Further information: Marc Kleiner (managing director)
Telephone: +27 11 776-6000
Fax: +27 86 669-2372
E-mail: sales@condra.co.za

P O Box 752639, GARDENVIEW, 2047, SOUTH AFRICA

Issued by The Press Agency
Further information: Alan Thrush
Telephone: +34 633 01 8008
E-mail: thrush.elpajaro@yandex.com
Calle Vázquez de Mella 18 4-D, Alicante 03013, Spain

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📅 NOVEMBER 10, 2025

💵💵💵 Condra is running a competition to find the company’s oldest working crane, showcasing product durability and offering cash prizes for the three longest-working machines discovered.

The contest is part of the run-up to diamond jubilee celebrations, aiming to reinforce a core company concept of delivering value over time. Open to hoists, original cranes and refurbished machines (to highlight the viability of upgrading veteran cranes to modern, fit-for-purpose standard), entry is free.

Condra will turn sixty in 2026.

Managing director Marc Kleiner said that buying new is not always the best option.

He listed the two principal advantages of crane refurbishment – an immediate realisation of cost savings, and the continued use of an as-new machine already familiar to operators. This avoids any need for retraining, he said. Production can continue as before, with no change to established procedures.

“We need about three weeks to refurbish to top standard,” said Kleiner. “The cost is almost always less than buying a new crane, and we can upgrade to incorporate any kind of modern technology the customer wants.

“If the crane is one of ours, then refurbishment is usually worthwhile,” he said. “We encourage it because new crane prices are about 60% higher today than they were ten years ago. If needed, we can change crane capacity and span. Even cranes twenty years or older can usually be improved by installing variable frequency drives to facilitate easily changeable speeds. “By refurbishing, we deliver back to the customer a crane much faster and lighter than before, and we can automate it, too, upgrading the mechanicals to work with new electrical equipment. “These options are offered during any refurbishment, from standard 2M workshop cranes to the higher performing machines such as Class 3 and Class 4,”

“I believe it’s fair to say that the Condra product not only works, but also lasts because it has 60 years of manufacturing and service experience behind it.” Kleiner admitted the difficulty of competing with the sale price of imported machines in the absence of South African tariffs or other protective mechanisms. “It’s not easy,” he said, “but where we are more than competitive is in the overall lifetime cost of the crane, because imported parts are expensive and often not readily available. “We compete on product reliability and durability. Many operators don’t factor into their cost projections production losses caused by downtime. The purpose of an overhead crane is to move what the factory is producing. If the crane isn’t working, the factory isn’t producing. It isn’t making money. “Initial price is not what overall cost effectiveness is all about.”  

2026 will mark sixty years since Condra’s formation as a general engineering company offering a range of locally made, competitively priced hoists. Crane manufacture began in 1971. Today the company is headquartered at a 22 000m² factory site in Germiston, with a second factory in Cape Town. There are subsidiary companies in Bulgaria and Chile.

Full details of the contest to find Condra’s oldest crane can be found at the company website: www.condra.co.za .

ENDS PHOTOGRAPH SHOWS: Oldest Condra crane? (When it was still new, of course.)

______________________________________________________________________

Issued on behalf of Condra (Pty) Ltd
Further information: Marc Kleiner (managing director)
Telephone: +27 11 776-6000
Fax: +27 86 669-2372
E-mail: sales@condra.co.za
P O Box 2639, BEDFORDVIEW, 2008, SOUTH AFRICA

Issued by The Press Agency
Further information: Alan Thrush
Telephone: +34 633 01 8008
E-mail: thrush.elpajaro@yandex.com
Calle Vázquez de Mella 18 4-D, Alicante 03013, Spain

The post CASH PRIZES HIGHLIGHT LIFTING DURABILITY appeared first on Condra.

Considerations When Selecting 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

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

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Mechanical Design of Electric Wire Rope Hoists

• Motor: Supplies the electrical energy required to drive the wire rope over the drum. The motor is engineered with various power levels to match the required load weights and operational frequency precisely.
• Gearbox: The gearbox ensures that the motor’s rotary motion is at the required speed and torque to control lifting and lowering.
• Rope drum: The wire rope is precisely wound onto or unwound from this cylinder. The physical size and design of the drum directly influence both the maximum lifting height and the load capacity of the hoist.
• Rope: A high-tensile steel rope physically carries the load. For safe operations, the rope must be subjected to regular, thorough inspection for any signs of wear or damage.
• Hook: Attached at the end of the terminal steel rope is a hook or lifting attachment to safely secure the load.
• Control unit: Hoists include a control unit that gives the operator precise management over the load’s direction and speed. It also allows the operator to make exact starting, stopping, and speed adjustments, ensuring maximum control and safety. The control unit can operate via pendant controls, wireless remote systems, or automatic, integrated systems.

Operational Safety

Importance of Regular Maintenance

• Lubrication: Ensure all moving parts are routinely lubricated. This minimises friction and significantly extends the components’ service life.
• Rope inspection: The rope needs to be frequently checked for signs of wear, such as broken wires or deformed sections. Replace it immediately if damaged to maintain safe operation.
• Electrical check: Inspect all electrical components for any loose connections or damage that can compromise safety or function.
• Specialist servicing: Critical safety and performance components like gearboxes and brakes should be inspected and serviced regularly by a qualified specialist to guarantee reliable operation.

Partner with Reputable Manufacturers

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Condra jib crane

Hoist from Condra’s K-Series

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Cranes under manufacture at Condra’s Raceway Industrial Park factory, outside Johannesburg.

An SH (short headroom) hoist from Condra’s Titan range.

The post PORTAL CRANES FOR GHANA & SAUDI ARABIA appeared first on Condra.

Rovic’s new factory in Blackheath, Cape Town, with the overhead cranes manufactured by BB Cranes installed and commissioned.

Jan Nel, manager at BB Cranes.

Rovic’s new factory in Blackheath, Cape Town, with the overhead cranes manufactured by BB Cranes installed and commissioned.

The post CRANES SPEED UP GRAIN-PLANTER PRODUCTION appeared first on Condra.

Condra hoists and overhead crane

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How to Enter

1. Find a Condra crane that’s still operational.
2. Take clear photos showing:
   • The crane in its working environment
   • The serial number/nameplate clearly displaying the year of manufacture
3. Submit your entry by email to: condracompetitions@gmail.com Include:
   • Your name and contact details
   • Location of the crane (the crane’s city and country)
   • A short note or story about the crane (optional but encouraged)

Prizes

• 🥇 1st Place – R10,000
• 🥈 2nd Place – R5,000
• 🥉 3rd Place – R2,500

All winners will also be featured on our website and social media channels as part of our “Condra Legacy” campaign.

Competition Dates

Opens: 1 June 2025 Closes: 30 September 2025 Winners announced: October 2025

Competition Rules

1. The crane must be a genuine Condra-manufactured unit, still in operational condition.
2. The serial number and year of manufacture must be clearly visible in one of the submitted photos.
3. Only entries received between 1 June and 30 September 2025 will be eligible.
4. By entering, you give Condra permission to publish submitted photos and stories, with appropriate credit (unless anonymity is requested).
5. Winners will be chosen based on the oldest verified year of manufacture. In the case of a tie, Condra reserves the right to award multiple winners or use submission date as a tiebreaker.
6. Decision of the judges is final.

The post CONDRA COMPETITION: HUNT FOR OLDEST CRANE IN OPERATION! appeared first on Condra.

Typical Condra portal crane

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