How To Choose A Crane Operation Method?

How do cranes operate?

In many industrial occasions, we can see bridge cranes and gantry cranes everywhere, but there are still many customers who will have a lot of doubts when purchasing, mainly because they do not know how to operate them. Therefore, I want to take this opportunity to share with you the three operation methods of the lower bridge/gantry crane:

The operation modes of bridge/gantry crane are mainly divided into three types: driving operation, ground wire control operation, and remote control operation. It can also be divided into air operation (driving operation) and ground operation according to the spatial position (ground operation can be divided into handle operation and remote control operation)

1. What is a crane air operation?

Crane aerial operation (driving operation) is the operation of the crane in the air and in the cab.

The crane cab is generally designed at one end of the crane beam. After the crane is installed, it is located in the air. Therefore, the operation in the cab is referred to as an air operation or a driving operation.

Note: Because the cab is mostly at the middle height of the gantry crane, the operator's operating perspective and actions are limited to a certain extent, which may easily lead to safety accidents. It is necessary to provide ground commanders to assist in the operation.

2. What is crane ground operation?

Crane ground operation means that the crane operation is completed on the ground.

At present, there are two types of crane ground operation methods: wired handle operation and wireless remote control.

3.  What is a wired handle operation? 

The wired handle operation mode is that the operator controls the crane on the ground by connecting the crane control line and the operating handle. The crane operator needs to follow the crane, which will shorten the distance between the operator and the hoisting items, so that the operator is the in potential danger.

Furthermore, some work environments are inconvenient and dangerous.

4. What is wireless remote control operation? 

The operation form of the wireless remote control is that the crane operator controls the crane on the ground through the wireless remote control, and does not need to follow the crane all the time. It is a relatively safe way of operation.

What are the remote control buttons?

There are emergency stop buttons, start buttons, up, down, left, right, front, and rear buttons on the remote control. The hard abort button is very important. Its main function is to stop when a risk arises. For example, when the overhead crane is sliding, the slip hook can be operated by pressing the hard stop button.

Long-term electrification during driving will also affect the service life of electrical components. For example, warning lights will flash permanently, and overload limiters will remain in operation. Over time, the service life of these electrical components will decrease.

The hard abort button is similar to the power button and unlock function on a mobile phone. When we use the phone, we turn on the power button and unlock it, then press the power button to power off. If used for a long time, it will shorten the service life and consume a lot of power. Therefore, good habits should also be developed when using overhead cranes.

Regarding the emergency abort button, the improvement takes into account the occasional oversight of the operator. Therefore, the electrical design has been improved. After the operation handle stops working for 3 minutes, regardless of whether it is continued to be used or not, it will automatically cut off the driving power. If you keep using it, you need to open it again. Avoid the safety hazards caused by negligence or forgetting to press the emergency stop button.

How to choose an operation method?

Single-girder overhead cranes and single-girder gantry cranes generally use the ground wired handle or wireless remote control operation mode, which is convenient to operate and saves costs, and is the best choice for our customers.

Double-girder cranes and double-girder gantry cranes generally use the cab operation mode. Because of the working time and work intensity, the use of the cab can reduce the work intensity of the crane operator and ensure the safety of the crane operator.

Light-duty double-girder cranes or small-tonnage double-girder gantry cranes can also be operated by ground remote control, and single-girder gantry cranes can also be operated by air operation according to the use environment.