Underhung Vs. Overhead Bridge Cranes: The Difference And The Pros And Cons Of Each Cranes

Everywhere you go, you will see cranes. You see it on construction sites, in factories, in docks and even at the back of someone’s pick-up truck. Cranes are one of the most useful material handling equipments ever invented. It can relatively lift huge amounts of loads with great ease.

Cranes have been in use for quite a long time now. The use of cranes dates back to the ancient times where early humans used it to construct palaces, bridges, monuments and even temples. Today, cranes are used pretty much the same way humans have used it then, even if the cranes you see today are more advanced in terms of its construction. The cranes you see today are now constructed with the strongest materials available and this enables it to lift loads far heavier than before.

Also, cranes today are integrated with state-of-the-art computer technology to enable it to lift and handle materials safer and more efficient.

There are also different types of cranes available in these modern times. Tower cranes are by far, the most common crane you will see in a construction site. Here are two other kinds of cranes available in the industry with different kinds of uses:

•Underhung bridge cranes •Overhead bridge cranes

At first look, you will not notice anything really different from both of these cranes. However, the use and the construction of each crane are different from one another. If you are in the business that requires heavy material handling and lifting, you should know which crane to choose in order to maximize its use.

First of all, both of these cranes are an assembled structure which spans between parallel runway tracks. The load is carried with a hook and runs horizontally along the runway. Bridge cranes can be overhead cranes or underhung cranes with single or double girder configurations. Both cranes are integrated with hoist and trolley systems to move the load vertically as well as laterally.

In overhead bridge crane, the bridge girder is located on top of the runway girder and is also integrated with a trolley and hoist system and an operator’s cab. In the underhung version of the crane, the bridge girder is located on the bottom of the runway girder. It also has a hoist and trolley system and can also be integrated with an operator’s cab.

As you can see, both of the cranes don’t have much difference in construction. The main advantage of overhead bridge cranes is that it can lift very heavy loads. Also, it is a crane that is preferred by factories for their assembly area. Another advantage of overhead bridge crane is that it can really make lifting and handling heavy equipments from one place to another easier. The only disadvantage of overhead bridge crane systems is that with more bridge dead weight, the harder it is to move the system.

In underhung crane systems, the main advantage is the same as overhead bridge cranes, it allows great load capacity and it also is easier to move the load from one place to another. The disadvantage is also the same, with more bridge deadweight the more it is unstable.

There isn’t much different in underhang bridge cranes and overhead bridge cranes. Choose one that suits your needs. If your factory ceiling is a low, you can consider underhung bridge cranes, but if it has space for the girder, then you can also consider the overhead bridge crane system. Whatever type of bridge crane you need both can offer quality and ease with your material handling needs. The age-old question of the underhung vs overhead bridge cranes depends on where and how you use your crane.

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