What is the Difference Between a Crane and a Jib Crane?

A big manufacturing industry or business is incomplete without cranes as they need to carry heavy tools, equipment, and other materials on a regular basis. Also, there is no doubt that cranes have revolutionized the way industries handle heavy lifting and material movement as it offers solutions to complex logistics in a range of sectors. Although there are multiple cranes available in the market but out of all, two of the most widely used ones are jib crane and crane. These two cranes look like close cousins but they have vastly different strengths. Both the crane serves similar purposes i.e. lifting and moving heavy weight and loads, but they are designed and serve differently in various applications. So, without wasting any time, let’s explore some key difference between a crane and a jib crane. 

Definitional Difference

The difference between the two is that when it comes to a crane, it is a term used for a mechanical device that is used to move and lift heavy objects. It is designed with a rotating structure or tower with a hook or any other lifting tool at the end of the arm or boom. Moreover, a crane can be fixed or mobile and it comes in a range of types like tower cranes, overhead cranes, or mobile cranes. On the other hand, a jib crane is a type of crane that has a horizontal arm which is mounted on a vertical mast. A jib crane features a rotating or fixed arm which excellently supports the lifting mechanism. Unlike large cranes, jib cranes are mostly used for lifting smaller tools and equipment. 

Load Capacity

When it comes to cranes, they are known for their impressive load capacity. On one hand, where jib cranes can typically lift less load which is anywhere between 500 kg to 10 tons, there are even some crane models that can lift up to hundreds of tons. This whole lifting weight also depends upon the model. For example, gantry cranes or tower cranes are used in industries where shipbuilding or construction takes place. In short, it can be said that cranes have much higher lifting capacity compared to nib cranes. Jib cranes cannot handle massive loads that normal cranes can. Therefore, jib cranes can be used in smaller, more manageable lifting. 

Size and Capacity

Cranes vary in size which can range from small and portable models to massive industrial machines. On the other hand, jib cranes are generally smaller and stationary in comparison. In addition, cranes can be mobile or fixed both, i.e. either truck-mounted cranes and crawler cranes, or overhead and gantry cranes. This is a great thing as a crane offers flexibility for both large and small scale projects.However, when it comes to jib crane, it is designed to be fixed on a specific location, which can be either on wall or freestand base. Jib crane manufacturers design it in various sizes, which allows it to run operations within a confined area like warehouses and workshops. 

Reach and Lifting Height

When it comes to great flexibility to reach and lifting heights, cranes are the best options. Selecting the right crane for your operations also depends on the type, as there are cranes that can reach hundreds of meters in height and can extend over large distances. On the other hand, a jib crane has a limited reach and height, in-comparison to large cranes. A jib crane’s arm can extend from 2 meters to 10 meters. In addition, the jib crane’s height depends on its location and design, but it is also more restricted than that of cranes. This is because jib cranes are better suited for lifting loads within a more localized and confined area. 

Application and Versatility Range

Cranes are versatile machines which are used in a range of industries like shipping, oil rigs, construction, manufacturing, and more. Cranes are used to move heavy and large loads across multiple distances. In addition, cranes can also adapt to different environments like they are ideal for lifting heavy equipment onto ships, moving materials on construction sites, and unloading goods at ports or any other location. Talking about the jib crane, it is mainly used for localized tasks. Its applications are mainly seen in environments where smaller loads are needed to be lifted or to be carried from one place to another. Some places where jib cranes can be used are warehouses, assembly lines, or factories. Moreover, they are great for tasks like lifting parts of different machines along with assisting in heavy lifting within a warehouse. 

Cost

After going through the above mentioned points, it is totally clear that cranes are more expensive than jib cranes because of their larger size, high load capacity, and complex design. Not only this, the cost of a crane can vary as per its model. However, large cranes like mobile or tower cranes mostly cost hundreds of thousands to millions, as per requirement, manufacturer’s reputation in market, and design. Talking about jib cranes, it is more affordable because of its simpler design, lower load capacity, and smaller size. If you are looking for a crane that can lead smaller operations, jib crane is a very cost-effective option. 

Overall Setup

In comparison between jib crane and crane, large cranes have a more complicated installation process. If it’s a mobile crane, it needs to be positioned properly before use. However, in fixed cranes like tower cranes, all the parts of the crane need to be assembled on-site and then the installation takes place. Not to forget, this is a time consuming process and it also requires significant resources to execute the whole scenario. On the other hand, jib cranes are easy to install. These cranes are super versatile as they can be mounted on column, floor, or wall, depending upon its type. This feature of jib crane makes it suitable for pre-existing or smaller facilities. Not only this but a jib crane is super easy to install as well and once it is installed, it can be used immediately without any extensive setup. 

Maintenance Requirements

To ensure safety and reliability, cranes, and especially large cranes need regular maintenance. In this process, several things are included like inspection of ropes, hoisting mechanisms, hydraulic systems, and electrical systems. In addition, regular maintenance of the crane also depends on the environment in which it is being operated. When it comes to jib cranes, it needs less maintenance, however it still requires periodic checks in some areas like motors and hoisting mechanisms. Maintaining a jib crane is simpler and less costly, which is a great advantage. 

Although the fundamental purpose of both crane and jib crane is to move and lift heavy weight, they differ in size, capacity, applications, and load capacity. In one place, where cranes are suited for large-scale operations, jib cranes are excellent for localized and small operations. If you are looking to invest in a crane or jib crane, check for Bright Crane, as it is a renowned crane manufacturing company in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.