When there is a need to lift or reposition heavy loads around an industrial facility, there are various tools that can be used for the job.
Two of the most common pieces of lifting equipment include overhead cranes and forklifts. However, while both can technically be used for material handling, how they work and their overall usage suitability are very different.
Metreel is a leading manufacturer of material handling equipment.
To help you make an informed purchase decision, we’re here to cover the most important differences between overhead cranes and forklifts to guide you.
Forklifts
Lifting capacity: 1,000kg-8,000kg
Usage suitability: Moving pallets and goods across a warehouse. Loading and unloading shipments
Space utilisation: Floor
Movement type: Multi-directional trucks with up and down movement of the load
Upfront cost: £5,000-£40,000
Maintenance: Every 200 to 500 hours of operation
Typical lifespan: 5-6 years
Forklifts give you the freedom to drive around facilities such as a warehouse while carrying loads that are too heavy or bulky to lift manually. However, adequate space is required to manoeuvre the forklift and any accompanying loads safely.
As a result, the safe operation of a forklift very much depends on the operator. Not only is training required to be able to drive a forklift, but the operator must remain focused. Otherwise, the risk of safety issues such as collisions becomes more likely. Likewise, the facility requires various safety measures to ensure the safe movement of forklifts.
Where forklifts do come in handy is when there is a need for an ultra portable lifting device. For instance, in a warehouse to unload goods that have arrived and then transport the load to where it will be stored. When the load needs to be retrieved, a forklift is equally capable of taking the load to its next destination elsewhere in the facility.
Overhead Cranes
Lifting capacity: 125kg-100,000kgs
Usage suitability: Lifting and transporting extremely heavy items in industrial environments such as construction, manufacturing or shipyards
Space utilisation: Fixed overhead position
Movement type: Precise forward and backwards movements along a predetermined path
Upfront cost: £10,000-£100,000
Maintenance: While frequent inspections are required, cranes most need a professional service every 12 months
Typical lifespan: 20-30 years
Overhead cranes can be custom-built to withstand various load capacities, from lighter lifting tasks to lifting on an industrial scale. As a result, their cost can also vary depending on the overall lifting capabilities required.
The key difference between an overhead crane and a forklift is that an overhead crane offers precise lifting along with specific load movements. Therefore, overhead cranes are ideal when the lifting requirements can be contained to a specific area of a facility, rather than when there is a need to physically transport the load across multiple destinations.
Boasting a solid construction, overhead cranes cannot topple over like forklifts can. Collisions with personnel are also less likely due to the predictable movement patterns.
So long as an overhead is correctly installed and maintained, it can provide potentially decades of dedicated service. For extreme lifting requirements, an overhead crane can prove to be a smart investment that also promotes better workplace safety.
In Summary
For flexible lifting, a forklift is a nimble device that can easily move around your facility. That said, this freedom of movement can reduce both safety along with its overall lifting capabilities.
Overhead cranes are best for lifting heavy loads in a fixed area. Being positioned in one spot also allows for a more sturdy construction which not only provides greater lifting capacity but also improves safety.
Discover Metreel Overhead Cranes For All Your Material Handling Requirements
When in search of any material handling equipment such as an overhead crane, it’s essential to choose exactly the right lifting device to suit your needs.
Here at Metreel, we are industry leaders specialising in the design and installation of overhead cranes.
To find out more about purchasing a Metreel overhead crane, please get in touch with our team.
Alternatively, please give us a call on 0115 647 0451 to speak about your overhead crane requirements with one of our technicians.