A top running bridge crane is a crane that is designed to run on top of a runway system that is supported by building or engineered columns. These cranes are available in single girder manual, single girder motor driven, and double girder. They are one the most effective types of cranes for use lifting in a variety of industries and applications. They are an effective tool and handy addition to any shop.
Types of Top Running Cranes
The first type is the single girder push/pull manual crane. This type of crane is pushed and pulled by the operator. The speed of the crane’s motion is also controlled by the operator. These cranes are best for use where higher elevation needs to be achieved, but they are not recommended for shops where the operator cannot get stable footing, like on a slick floor.
Some manual cranes also work by pulling a chain to turn the drive shaft and the drive gears such as the hand chain drive cranes. These cranes are easier to operate when lifting heavier objects than the push/pull cranes.
Single girder motor driven cranes operate the drive shaft and drive gears by using the power of a motor and can be controlled by remotes, which helps ensure the safety of the operator. Double girder cranes are rated for a higher capacity that single girder cranes and because they have a hook that travels between the beams, they give a higher lift than single girder cranes.
Top Running vs. Underhung Cranes
Underhung cranes are suspended from the overhead structure rather than using support columns like with a top running bridge crane. Underhung crane systems are great for use with production processes that require operations such as lifting and moving across a fixed path, whereas top running systems are better utilized in applications that require the lifting of heavy loads as well as transferring heavy loads.
Top running bridge crane systems also allow for more headroom because they run above the overhead runway, rather than below it like an underhung crane. In order to get the most headroom in a facility with low headroom, the double girder top running crane offers the most headroom.