Comparison of Five Common Crane Spreaders

Introduction to Crane Spreaders

Crane spreaders might sound complex, but they're vital tools in industries like shipping, construction, and manufacturing. In this simplified guide, we'll break down crane spreaders into easy-to-grasp concepts. By the end, you'll have a solid understanding of these essential lifting devices.

Crane spreaders are devices used to lift and handle heavy loads safely. They attach to cranes, which provide the lifting power, and help distribute the weight of the load evenly. This even weight distribution prevents damage to the load and ensures safe lifting.

Crane Spreader 1: Crane Hook

Hook Spreaders are one of the most commonly used types of crane spreaders. They are designed with a hook attachment that securely grips and lifts the load. This simple design allows for fast and efficient load handling.

They can be categorized into single hooks and double hooks according to the shape of the hook:

Single Hook: Single hook hangers are characterized by a simple design with a single curved arm and tip that provides a secure attachment point for lifting equipment. Single hooks are simple to manufacture and easy to use, but are not well stressed and are mostly used in workplaces with lifting capacities below 80 tons.

Double Hook: As the name suggests, the double hook has two bent arms instead of one. This design enhances the stability and load carrying capacity of the hook, making it ideal for heavier lifting tasks. The double hook provides a balanced lifting point and ensures even weight distribution, reducing the risk of load shifting or imbalance. This type of hook is ideal for applications that require increased stability and higher load capacity. Double hooks are commonly used in industries such as shipbuilding, aerospace and heavy machinery manufacturing.

Hooks can be categorized into forged hooks and laminated hooks based on the method of manufacture:

Forged Hooks: Forged hooks are made by heating and shaping a solid piece of metal using a forging press or hammer. This method ensures that the hook has superior strength and durability. The forging process eliminates weak points or potential areas of failure, making forged hooks highly reliable and resistant to warping. These hooks are commonly used in industries such as industrial, construction and logistics. Forged hooks are simple to manufacture and easy to use, but they don't hold up well to force, and once a forged hook is damaged, it's essentially all but obsolete.

Laminated Hooks: Laminated hooks are specially constructed using multiple layers of steel plates welded together. This unique design provides superior strength and load carrying capacity. The layered construction of laminated hooks allows them to withstand heavy loads without the risk of bending or breaking under pressure. Known for their resistance to deformation, these hooks are perfect for extreme lifting conditions. Laminated hooks are commonly used in areas such as shipping, offshore operations and steel production.

Also available is the C-hook.

C-hooks: The C-hook is a specialized tool for handling cylindrical objects such as coils or pipes. Its unique shape resembles the letter C and holds these objects securely. The arm of the C-Hook supports the cylindrical load, preventing it from slipping or moving during lifting. C-Hooks are commonly used in industries that handle cylindrical materials, including the steel, paper and textile industries.

Crane Spreader 2: Crane Lifting Tongs

Crane lifting tongs spreaders are specifically designed to handle heavy loads by means of a mechanism similar to a spreader. They consist of two jaws that clamp the load from both sides, providing a firm and secure hold during lifting.

 

Crane Spreader 3: Crane Grab

Crane grab including hydraulic grab, remote control grab, mechanical grab, electric grab.

Hydraulic grabs: Hydraulic grabs utilize hydraulic power to operate the grapple mechanism, which enables a firm and reliable grip on the material. The hydraulic system provides the force required to open and close the grapple, facilitating efficient loading and unloading operations. With their versatility and advanced hydraulic technology, these grabs are well suited for handling a variety of materials, including sand, gravel, coal and scrap metal. Hydraulic grabs are capable of withstanding high pressure and heavy loads to ensure efficient and safe operations.

Remote Control Grab Buckets: In today's technologically advanced world, remote control grab buckets offer unprecedented convenience and precision. These grabs are equipped with a wireless remote control system that allows the operator to control the grapple mechanism from a distance. By using remote control, operators can easily maneuver the grapple to ensure accurate and efficient material handling without the need for direct physical contact.

Mechanical Grab Buckets: Mechanical grab buckets rely on mechanical force and leverage to perform material handling tasks. These buckets are typically operated manually or through the use of mechanical linkage systems. Mechanical grabs are designed with sturdy jaws that can be opened and closed manually or by mechanical force for efficient and controlled material handling. These grabs are typically used in small operations where hydraulic or remote control systems may not be required or feasible.

Electric Grab Buckets: Electric grab buckets combine the benefits of advanced technology with ease of operation. These grabs are electrically powered and utilize an electrical control system to operate the grab mechanism. The electrical mechanism ensures precise control of the gripping action for efficient material handling. Electric grabs are typically used in applications where a controlled and accurate grip on materials is critical. These may include industries such as waste management, recycling and mining, where proper material sorting and handling is critical to achieving optimum productivity.

Crane Spreader 4: Electromagnetic Spreader

Electromagnetic Suction Cups: The key to an electromagnetic lifter is the electromagnet. When energized, the electromagnet will tightly pick up the steel object and lift it to a specific area. When the current is disconnected, the magnetic force weakens and the steel object will be released. Electromagnetic cranes are easy to use but must have an electric current in order to work, and can be used in the scrap steel recycling industry and iron production plants.

Permanent Magnetic Suction Cups: In contrast to electromagnetic chucks, permanent magnet chucks are made of permanent magnets and do not require an electric current to maintain a magnetic field. It provides a reliable and constant magnetic force, making it suitable for applications that require a continuous magnetic connection. Permanent magnet chucks are commonly used in machining and grinding operations.

Electro-Permanent Magnetic Chucks: Electro-permanent magnetic chucks combine the advantages of electromagnetic and permanent magnet chucks. Its design features the ability to turn the magnetism on and off using an electric current, but once magnetized, no additional power is required to maintain the magnetic field. The Electro-Permanent Magnet Suction Cup offers the convenience of easy activation and deactivation while providing stability and reliability during lifting.

Crane Spreader 5: Container Spreader

In the shipping and logistics industry, the efficient handling of containers is crucial. Container spreaders are specifically designed to facilitate the loading and unloading of these containers.

Fixed container spreader: Fixed spreader, also known as integral spreader, can only load and unload a specification of the container. It does not have a specialized power unit, it is through the lifting and lowering of the wire rope drives the ratchet mechanism to drive the rotation of the rotary lock, so as to realize the automatic opening and closing of the locking pins by means of mechanical movement. The wire rope. This kind of spreader is simple in structure and light in weight, but it is not convenient to use, and it is generally used for multi-purpose gantry cranes and general-purpose gantry cranes.

Telescopic Container Spreader: Telescopic container spreader is a flexible and adjustable spreader that can accommodate containers of different sizes. It consists of multiple sections that can be extended or retracted to match the length of the container. This versatility makes it suitable for operations that need to handle containers of different sizes.

Master-Slave Container Spreader: Master-slave spreaders are also known as combination spreaders. This type of spreader consists of a combination of an upper spreader and a lower spreader. Generally the upper spreader is 20 feet and the lower spreader is 40 feet. The upper spreader is equipped with a power unit. When lifting containers of different sizes, only the lower spreader needs to be loaded and unloaded. Compared with fixed spreader, master-slave spreader is easy to use but heavier.

Under Table Container Lifting Spreader: This type of spreader is equipped with a power system on its special spreader beam to drive the rotary locking mechanism on the lower spreader. The underside of the spreader beam can be replaced with a fixed spreader for containers of sizes such as 20 feet, 40 feet, and so on. Compared to the master-slave spreader, it is lighter in weight but takes longer to change spreaders.

Why Custom a Crane Solution?

At Yuantai, we know that there is no "one size fits all" in the lifting field. Universal cranes are suitable for general factories, warehouses, etc. Besides, different applications have different needs for cranes. For example, steel industries often lift steel plates, so need electromagnetic cranes. Ports and docks often need to load ore, gravel, and other bulk goods, so need to grab bucket cranes. Chemical dangerous places often need to carry flammable and explosive materials, so need explosion proof cranes.

So, we provide customized cranes according to the special needs of our customers. Custom crane solutions offer many benefits in a variety of applications：

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