Use this page to understand the main parts of an EOT crane before preparing an RFQ, comparing supplier quotations or inspecting a crane for handover. The goal is practical clarity: what each part does, what to specify, what to compare and what can go wrong.
A good quotation should not only say "EOT crane with hoist and panel." It should clearly define the load path, motion system, component makes, safety devices, testing scope and documentation. Use these checks before comparing prices.
Main load-carrying beams spanning the bay. They drive capacity, deflection, headroom, weight, building loads and long-term alignment.
Carry the bridge on runway rails and control long travel. Poor alignment or underspecified wheels causes flange wear, skewing and rail damage.
The lifting package includes motor, gearbox, drum, rope, brake, hook block and trolley travel. This is where most duty and reliability differences appear.
The rope system transfers the load. Rope construction, reeving, drum groove, sheave fit and hook-block design affect safety and rope life.
Brakes hold and stop motion. Motors, gearboxes, VFDs and brakes must match duty, starting frequency, speed control and emergency stopping needs.
Power supply failures stop the crane even when the structure is fine. Current rating, voltage drop, collectors and travel length must be defined. Use the electrification and power supply guide before accepting DSL, busbar or festoon scope.
The electrical panel and control method determine smoothness, diagnostics, maintainability and operator safety.
Safety scope should be written explicitly. Never assume overload protection, anti-collision, emergency stop or limit switches are included just because the quote says "complete crane."
The runway is the crane's road. Even a good crane will perform badly if the rail size, fixing, alignment, end stops or building support are unclear.
Gearboxes convert motor speed into usable hoisting, cross-travel and long-travel motion. Couplings, shafts and mounting quality affect noise, backlash and maintenance life.
Operator controls affect safety and productivity. A pendant may be simple and robust; a radio remote improves visibility but needs pairing, batteries and emergency-stop discipline.
These devices prevent unsafe travel, over-hoisting and overload events. Buyers should confirm whether protection is mechanical, electrical, electronic or load-cell based.
The moving electrical path is a frequent nuisance point. Cable trolley wheels, collector shoes, shrouding, cable bend radius and junction quality decide reliability.
Access is often forgotten during purchase and regretted later. Maintenance teams need safe reach to brakes, panels, hoist, DSL, limit switches and lubrication points.
A crane is not complete until tests, certificates, drawings, manuals and handover documents are closed. These items protect the buyer after commissioning.
Use this table when a supplier sends a quote. If the answer is blank, vague or "as per standard," ask for written clarification before treating the quote as comparable.
| System | What to ask | Why it matters | Useful next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | Girder type, span, deflection, camber, platform, paint, fasteners and runway interface. | Defines building load, hook height, rigidity and long-term alignment. | Compare single vs double girder |
| Hoist package | Hoist make, duty class, lifting speed, creep speed, motor, gearbox, brake, rope and hook block details. | Controls lifting reliability, safety margin, cycle capability and maintainability. | Use the RFQ checklist |
| Electrical power | DSL or busbar rating, voltage drop, feed point, collectors, festoon, cable sizes and earthing. | Undersized power supply causes voltage drop, faults, heating and downtime. | Review electrification checks |
| Controls | VFD or contactor control, pendant or radio remote, emergency stop, panel enclosure and diagnostics. | Affects smoothness, safety, troubleshooting and operator confidence. | Review control system checks |
| Acceptance | FAT, SAT, load test, trial run, documents, certificates, training and warranty start point. | Prevents handover disputes and incomplete commissioning. | Open safety acceptance guide |
Once you understand the parts, capture your capacity, span, lift, duty, controls, power supply, component preferences and acceptance scope in a structured requirement before asking suppliers for quotations.