A single-girder crane is more compact and lighter than a double-girder crane, which makes it a preferred choice for facilities where headroom and floor space is limited, advise Konecranes experts about the right crane choice

A common misconception about overhead cranes is that double-girder cranes are perceived to be more durable and of higher quality than single-girder cranes. 'Both types of overhead cranes are, however, equally durable and of the same high quality,' says Ajit Kumar, operations director of Konecranes Middle East.

'On the contrary, single-girder cranes can actually have plenty of advantages over double-girder cranes,' he adds.

Benefits of a single-girder crane: A single-girder crane is more compact and lighter than a double-girder crane, which makes it a preferred choice for facilities where headroom and floor space is limited. Even in situations where items have to be lifted and moved close to the building walls, a single-girder crane can have a better end approach to the building, allowing the hook to move closer to the wall. With only one girder, minimum deadweight is applied to the building foundations, allowing for more cost-effective building designs and runway constructions. On top of that, less steel is required to manufacture the girder, making it an inexpensive lifting solution for various applications and industries.

Understand various lifting needs: A single-girder crane may not, however, be the most suitable choice in every scenario. If a higher lifting capacity, height of lift or a service platform is needed, a double-girder crane might be the better option. It is always important to understand the requirements of the lifting task and the environment where it is planned that the crane will operate, to provide the best lifting equipment for the site.

Konecranes CXT wire rope hoist cranes: The Konecranes range of CXT wire rope hoist cranes is ideal in almost any industrial setting where a lifting capacity of up to 80 tonnes is required. Adaptability gives the CXT wire rope crane one of its greatest strengths –being available in every form from basic standard to high-tech advanced lifting.Single-girder cranes are available with low headroom trolleys up to 12.5 tonnes or normal headroom trolleys up to 40 tonnes, while CXT double-girder cranes can feature up to an 80 tonne lifting capacity.

Efficiency and intelligence at work: The CXT hoist is known for its efficient use of space under the crane and its excellent hook approaches. Because all the key mechanical components are designed specifically for crane usage, manufactured and assembled in-house by crane experts, the CXT is a top performer.

Safety is improved through high-performance brakes, durable wire ropes and remote operation. The adaptive speed range means that loads move at an optimal rate, enhancing control over the load and improving productivity, yet still saving energy.

CXT double-girder crane, featuring lifting capacities up to 80 tonnes

In its field, this robust, all-purpose crane is ideal. The CXT is an industry leader in medium-heavy lifting indoor cranes and is a firm favourite around the world: over 10,000 CXT hoists sold every year indicates its reliability, efficiency and value.

Konecranes is a world-leading group of lifting businesses, serving a broad range of customers, including manufacturing and process industries, shipyards, ports and terminals. Konecranes provides productivity-enhancing lifting solutions as well as services for lifting equipment and machine tools of all makes. In 2015, Group sales totalled €2,126 million ($2.397 million). The Group has 11,900 employees at 600 locations in 48 countries.

Konecranes in the Middle East: With over 20 years’ experience in the Middle East region, Konecranes Middle East is a 100 per cent owned subsidiary of the Konecranes Group based in Finland. With a regional head office and engineering centre located in Dubai, UAE, it serves 15 countries in the Middle East. Having sold its products in the Middle East since 1994, it has obtained a good knowledge of the market and its requirements. It has also established long-term partnership companies all over the Middle East and a joint venture with the Kanoo Group, Crane Industrial Services Company in the UAE to be in close proximity to its clients and provide fast and reliable service.

Factory: The company in 2011 :acquired Saudi Cranes and Steel Works Factory Co Ltd in Jubail, Saudi Arabia. Since 1983, the factory has been committed to the sale and manufacture of overhead cranes to the highest safety and quality standards. The state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, with close to 200 employees, is spread over 20,000 sq m and is comprised of a team of highly qualified engineering professionals who take pride in providing our customers with the best possible products and services.

Management experience: With a wealth of experience in project management, Konecranes Middle East can assist companies at all stages of a project. From planning, manufacturing and site operation until handing over the project to the end client, it can provide with a single source solution. Having worked in close cooperation with major local and global EPC companies over the years, it has gained the knowledge and the experience to manage complex projects for a variety of industries, including the energy, metal, infrastructure, petrochemical, port and general manufacturing sectors. 'By successfully managing numerous projects, we know the importance of providing our clients with comprehensive documentation and responding quickly to customer needs, while keeping you up to date of any status change,' the company says in a statement.

Service and parts network in the Middle East: Konecranes has the world’s largest service organisation, which includes more than 1.75 million service calls each year for equipment’s of different makes and industries. 'We have our own service branches in the UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) as well as in Saudi Arabia (Jubail, Jeddah, Riyadh and Yanbu). To further support our customers in the region, a parts distribution center was opened in the Jebel Ali Free Zone, UAE to provide time effective spare parts supply for Industrial Cranes, Port Cranes and Lift Trucks of almost any brand,' it says.