Most people who hear the word “crane” automatically think of the large construction cranes that are used to build and destroy buildings around the world. While that’s certainly a valid use for cranes, their size and scope can be radically reduced so that they’re small enough to take on the day-to-day tasks faced by most commercial and industrial businesses around the world. These lever adjustable cranes are used for rather small loads, lifting typical inventory or warehouse equipment from place to place while taking much of the job out of the hands of workers.
Cranes, like all industrial equipment, need to be purchased with a careful eye for details. Those details include things like portability, installation method, rated weight capacity, and several other factors that will determine if the crane is big enough, strong enough, and able to perform a task quickly enough, for a business to even consider purchasing it. Before securing a crane, here’s what buyers need to know and think about.
Weight Capacity is the Number One Consideration
Of course, a crane’s primary task is to attach itself to a piece of equipment, elevate it slightly, and then place it in a new position while being guided by workers. The task sounds simple, and it’s generally quite easy to perform, but that’s only true of the crane can actually handle the size and weight of the load being attached. If not, things get a bit more complex and, in some cases, even a little dangerous.
Today’s lever adjustable cranes for small loads typically come with weight capacities that are measured in the hundreds or thousands of pounds. While many industrial cranes can lift several tons, the smaller, lever adjustable models are capable of a bit less than that. Therefore, business owners should have a rough idea of how much weight will be lifted with the crane before buying. When in doubt, always round up when estimating this amount. It’s always better to have a bit too much lifting power than not enough.
Consider the Crane’s Portability and Ease of Use
One thing that trips up many business owners is the portability and usefulness of the crane that they end up buying. By their nature, lever adjustable cranes are designed to be a bit more portable than many other models, and they’re often operated in a manual way by using the built-in lever. Though they’re intended for smaller loads, particularly heavy jobs might make them nearly impossible to use.
Make sure that a crane can be easily transported throughout a facility, and be sure to check into its lever system and ease of use. If the crane gets very tough to use with heavier loads, it might be worth checking out a different option that can help the business maintain good levels of safety and productivity.
Trust Douglas Equipment for Cranes and Other Products
With several decades in the business, Douglas Equipment has the right combination of products and knowledge to help virtually every customer. We know what the best cranes are for every application, and our history in the industry will allow us to recommend the best option for each business owner’s unique needs. Contact us today and put our experience to use for your own business’ needs.
