What is a jib crane?
A jib crane (slewing jib crane) is a lifting system with a horizontal arm that rotates around a column or a wall bracket. An electric chain or wire rope hoist travels along the arm and carries the load to any point within the circular area the arm covers. It is the most practical solution for lifting at a specific workstation: workbenches, machine loading, assembly lines and loading points.
Why a jib crane at the workstation?
- No more waiting: each lift at the workbench no longer waits for the bay crane to be free; the station gets its own lifting point.
- Ergonomics: manual lifting and carrying are reduced, lowering fatigue and the risk of accidents.
- Speed and precision: parts are picked quickly and set down gently and precisely, shortening machine set-up and idle times.
- Easy installation: mounted on the floor or an existing column without altering the building structure.
Jib crane types
- Free-standing column jib crane: rotates on its own floor-anchored column. It offers 270° or 360° slewing and can be installed anywhere in the bay.
- Wall or column mounted jib crane: attached to an existing building column or load-bearing wall with clamps or brackets and takes up no floor space. Slewing is limited to 180°.
- Low-headroom (I-beam) jib: the hoist runs inside or just below the arm, giving a long hook path where ceiling height is low.
- Braced jib: the arm is tied back to the column; a longer arm can be built for the same weight, and it slews easily even under load.
- Twin-jib column: two opposite arms on one column serve two neighbouring work areas at the same time.
Jib crane components
- Column: rigid steel column, with the emergency stop placed within easy reach of the operator.
- Column head and slewing joint: ensures smooth, play-free slewing of the arm.
- Floor connection: fixed to an existing concrete floor with an anchor plate, or to a new foundation with anchors aligned by a template.
- Jib: I-beam or braced arm, chosen for capacity and jib length.
- Slewing limiter: limits the slewing range as needed; it can also be fitted later.
- Electric hoist: our own electric chain or wire rope hoist.
- Trolley: push-type or motorised travel trolley.
- Power supply: low-maintenance flat cable along the arm.
- Wall / column connection: brackets for mounting on a column or wall.
- Motorised slewing: smooth, inverter-controlled slewing for heavy loads and long arms.
Options
- Motorised trolley and motorised (inverter-controlled) slewing
- Slewing lock to hold the arm in a set position
- Radio remote control
- Paint and protection suitable for outdoor use
- Project-specific column height
- Adjustable slewing limiter
When choosing
- Capacity: add the weight of the hook, slings and attachments to the heaviest load.
- Jib length: the distance from the column axis to the farthest point where loads are picked.
- Lifting height and ceiling: the highest point the hook must reach and the ceiling height; if the ceiling is low, a low-headroom jib is chosen.
- Slewing angle and drive: manual slewing is enough for light loads; motorised slewing is recommended for heavy loads and long arms.
- Mounting and floor: for floor anchoring, the concrete thickness and grade are checked; if insufficient, a separate foundation is made. For wall mounting, the load capacity of the column is verified by calculation.
Why a Beta Crane jib crane?
- The arm, column and connections are calculated for the project and manufactured in Bursa.
- Our own electric chain and wire rope hoists are used as the lifting unit, so spare parts and service come from one source.
- Floor checks, installation, load testing and commissioning are carried out by our team.
Frequently asked questions
How much can a jib crane lift?
Jib cranes are usually engineered between 250 kg and 5 t, depending on jib length and mounting type. The exact capacity is set by calculation for the jib length and the supporting structure.
Jib crane or overhead crane?
If loads are lifted at a specific station (workbench, machine, loading point), a jib crane is more economical. If loads must reach every point of the bay, choose an overhead crane. Many plants use both.
Can a jib crane be installed on an existing concrete floor?
In most cases, yes. The column is fixed to the existing concrete floor with an anchor plate; the concrete thickness and grade are checked first. If the floor is insufficient, a separate foundation is made for the column.
Can a jib crane be used under a low ceiling?
Yes. With a low-headroom I-beam jib, the hoist runs inside or just below the arm, so a long hook path is achieved even with a low ceiling.
What information is needed for a quotation?
Capacity, jib length, lifting height, ceiling height, mounting type, required slewing angle and site location. A photo of the installation spot also helps a lot.
