A jib crane is a type of lifting device designed to handle loads within a defined working radius. It consists of a horizontal arm which is known as the boom or jib and this mounted on either a vertical mast, wall bracket or structural column. The boom supports a hoist and trolley, allowing operators to lift, lower and swing loads through an arc without the need for a full overhead crane system.
Jib cranes are used across manufacturing, engineering and warehouse environments where lifting is concentrated within a specific workstation or bay. They are compact, straightforward to operate and capable of handling loads up to 1,000kg in the case of Metreel’s Met-Track jib crane range.
The use of a jib crane is important to any environment that has products or materials that would be otherwise impossible to move. Research suggests that the average man should lift no more than 25kg to elbow height and close to the body at work, for women this falls to 16kg. However, a Met-Track jib crane has the capacity to lift up to 1000kg worth of weight at any one time.
How Do Jib Cranes Work?
Jib cranes can come in a number of different ways in which they can be operated. Anything from manual to powered operation is available. So, depending on the type of jib crane you’re looking for, they’re operated in slightly different ways but work mostly the same.
The jib crane has 3 main motions that you’re likely to utilise during its use, these are rotation, transverse and lift motions.
Rotational motion – this is essentially the way in which the boom will spin around the pillar/mount.
Transverse motion – this is the movement of the hoist along the boom (horizontally)
Lift motion – this refers to the movement of goods or materials vertically (up and down)
If your jib crane is manually operated you’ll find that the lift motion (and sometimes the transverse motion) is done using a winch, hoist or pulley system, more often than not using a chain. However, if you opt for a powered jib crane, you can simply use the included controls to activate the movements mechanically.
Key Components of a Jib Crane
Understanding the main parts of a jib crane helps when specifying the right system for your facility.
Boom: The horizontal arm that extends from the mast or wall bracket. The hoist and trolley travel along the boom, allowing loads to be moved in and out within the crane’s working radius.
Mast: The vertical support structure that the boom attaches to. On floor-mounted systems, the mast is anchored directly to the facility floor. On wall-mounted systems, it is secured to an existing structural wall or column.
Trolley: Runs along the length of the boom, carrying the hoist and allowing horizontal (transverse) movement of the load.
Hoist: The lifting device that raises and lowers the load. Hoists can be manual, electric or pneumatic depending on the application.
Rotation mechanism: Allows the boom to swing around the mast through a defined arc. Depending on the crane type and mounting position, rotation ranges from 180 degrees to a full 360 degrees.
Rotation stop: Limits the swing of the boom where an obstruction such as a wall or column is present, preventing collision.
Collector rings: Fitted to the top or bottom of the mast on powered jib systems, these allow continuous 360-degree rotation without cable tangling.
Types of Jib Crane
Jib cranes can be used both inside and outside which means that this type of lifting equipment is a worthwhile addition to any industrial environment. There are many different styles and types of jib crane which means that no matter the use case, you’ll find them to be
Floor Mounted Jib
The most common configuration. The mast is anchored directly to the facility floor, providing a freestanding lifting station that does not rely on existing building structure. Floor-mounted jib cranes typically offer rotation of up to 270 degrees, with full 360-degree rotation achievable on certain designs. This makes them well suited to workstations where loads need to be repositioned across a wide arc.
Because they require a secure foundation, floor-mounted jib cranes are a more permanent installation. They can be positioned independently of walls and columns, giving flexibility in facility layout.
Wall-Mounted Jib
Where floor space needs to remain clear, a wall-mounted jib crane attaches to an existing structural wall or column. Rotation is typically between 180 and 200 degrees depending on the mounting position and surrounding obstructions. Wall-mounted systems are a practical choice for maintenance bays, assembly lines and fabrication shops where the lifting zone is concentrated along one side of a workspace.
Over-Braced Jib
You’ll see that an over-braced jib crane has a support brace that helps to add structural support to the boom/track. This brace is situated over the top of the track and will share the stress and load of the items you’re lifting. This not only makes the crane stronger but will also help to increase durability
Under-Braced Jib
The under-braced variant positions the support brace beneath the boom rather than above it. This configuration is better suited to low headroom environments where an over-braced design would reduce available lifting height. Performance is broadly comparable to the over-braced configuration, with the primary difference being suitability for restricted vertical clearance.
Where are Jib Cranes Used?
Jib cranes are used across a wide range of industrial and commercial environments, including:
- Manufacturing and assembly – for lifting components onto machinery or assembly fixtures at individual workstations
- Engineering workshops – for handling tooling, moulds and fabricated parts within a machining bay
- Loading docks and warehouses – for positioning loads during unloading or staging operations
- Maintenance areas – for lifting equipment for inspection, repair or replacement without disrupting the wider facility
- Production lines – for managing high-frequency, repetitive lifts where ergonomic handling reduces operator fatigue and injury risk
HSE data indicates that manual handling accounts for over 20% of non-fatal workplace injuries in manufacturing and warehousing. Jib cranes reduce reliance on manual lifting by providing a controlled, mechanical means of repositioning loads within a workstation.
Buying A Jib Crane From Metreel
Metreel has been supplying and installing mechanical handling equipment across the UK for over 40 years. Our jib crane range covers floor-mounted, wall-mounted, over-braced and under-braced configurations, with bespoke solutions available where standard designs do not meet your requirements. All systems are supplied and installed by our LEEA-accredited team and supported by full documentation for LOLER compliance.
If you’re in need of a jib crane, or you’d like to know more about how we could help you, get in touch with us on 0115 932 7010 or email us at [email protected].