In theory, one could order an enormous jib crane of any capacity or reach. In fact, the principles of the jib crane are employed on oil rigs and in harbors on what is commonly known as a “whirly crane” (pictured), a crane that rotates as a jib crane but travels as a bridge or gantry crane would.
But there is a practical limit to the industrial jib crane. After all, most factories and warehouses where jib cranes are installed do not have the same space configurations as a harbor. A harbor has little land to mount a bridge or gantry crane on, but lots of air space to let the top of a jib crane swing around. A factory has little air space because of the roof, but the entire factory has a floor underneath it to mount a crane.
The jib crane then is available up to fifteen tons rated capacity and twenty feet reach. Many times we find the jib crane is really only practical up to five tons rated capacity and twenty feet reach, but that is a game-time decision. If your project manager notices the design of a crane is approaching the threshold for design effectiveness, he or she will mention such an issue and make suggestions.
Wall mounted jib cranes are available to twenty feet reach in the cantilever format, and thirty feet reach in the tie-rod format. Again, it’s important to ask your project manager what solution is best when approaching the limits of the design.
