The Ultimate Guide to Industrial Jib Cranes: Types, Benefits, and Selection for 2026

Industrial jib cranes play a vital role in modern industries such as assembly, warehousing, and heavy manufacturing, thanks to their spatial flexibility and cost efficiency. An industrial jib crane is characterized by its rotating arm, which pivots around a fixed point and can cover a semicircular or full circular working area. There are many different designs of industrial jib cranes to meet various applications and operational requirements. However, with so many types available, you may have the following questions before making a purchase:

• What is an industrial jib crane?
• What types of industrial jib cranes are available, and what are their differences and key features?
• How do you choose the right jib crane for your specific working conditions?

Common Types of Industrial Jib Cranes

A jib crane is a small- to medium-sized jib-type lifting device, mainly used for short-distance, high-frequency, and intensive lifting operations in factories, workshops, warehouses, and similar environments. Based on structural configuration, jib cranes can generally be classified into five types. Before selecting a jib crane, it is essential to understand the differences between these types.

Free Standing Jib Crane

A free-standing jib crane is an independent, floor-mounted light-duty lifting device that is anchored to a concrete foundation and does not rely on any building structure for support. This design allows the crane to be precisely positioned at any production workstation, enabling independent material handling at the workstation level.

Industrial Jib Crane Application Scenarios

Wall-mounted Jib Crane

A wall-mounted jib crane is a light-duty lifting device fixed to a wall or building column. It is designed to transfer lifting moments through the main building structure, providing efficient material handling within a 180° semicircular working area while achieving zero floor-space occupation.

Wall-mounted jib cranes are specifically intended for workstations along the edges of production lines. By utilizing vertical space, they help relieve the workload of main overhead cranes and reduce material-handling bottlenecks, thereby improving overall production efficiency.

Industrial Jib Crane Application Scenarios

Wall-Travelling Jib Crane

A wall-travelling jib crane is a lifting unit that runs along a longitudinal rail installed on the side walls or building columns, enabling rectangular area coverage. It allows an independent operating zone to be created beneath the main overhead crane without interference. By supporting efficient multi-workstation coordination, it maximizes productivity while completely freeing up floor space.

Industrial Jib Crane Application Scenarios

Articulating Jib Crane

An articulating jib crane is a precision material-handling solution that features a dual-joint configuration with a main arm and a secondary arm. By utilizing two independent rotational pivot points, it enables non-linear coverage that can maneuver around columns, piping, or equipment obstructions.

This design minimizes the operational blind spots commonly found near the mast of traditional straight-arm jib cranes, allowing the crane to reach into tight spaces or inside machinery for high-frequency loading, unloading, and assembly operations.

Industrial Jib Crane Application Scenarios

Portable Mobile Jib Crane

A portable jib crane is a local lifting solution that uses a counterweighted base instead of anchor bolts, eliminating the need for foundation construction. This design allows the crane to be quickly relocated between workstations using a forklift and supports plug-and-play operation.

With extremely low on-site installation costs and a very short commissioning cycle, portable jib cranes provide a flexible mobile material-handling solution for production lines that require frequent layout changes or dynamic adjustment.

Industrial Jib Crane Application Scenarios

How to Choose the Right Industrial Jib Crane: A 4-Step Selection Process

When selecting a industrial jib crane, you need to consider not only your current lifting requirements but also the building's structural limitations and potential future expansions. Follow these five key steps:

Step 1: Define Your Capacity (Working Load Limit)

The lifting capacity is the primary parameter. You should account for both the heaviest load and the weight of the lifting device (e.g., hoist, magnet, or clamp).

• Safety Margin: Choose a model slightly above your maximum load. For example, if you frequently lift 450 kg, a 500 kg or 1 ton crane is safer.
• Impact Factor: Consider dynamic loads during lifting startup; allow a suitable safety factor.

Expert Tip: Never operate at full load. Selecting a rated capacity 15–20% higher than the maximum requirement extends equipment life and ensures safety.

Step 2: Determine the Area of Coverage (Span & Rotation)

Decide whether you need to cover a circular area or specific workstations.

• Span (S): The length of the jib. Note that the “effective reach” is usually slightly less than the total arm length, as the trolley cannot reach the base of the mast.
• Rotation Degree:
• 360°: Choose a freestanding column-mounted jib crane.
• 180°: Choose a wall-mounted jib crane.
• Double-jointed: If you need to navigate around obstacles, select an articulating jib crane.

Step 3: Measure Your Height Constraints

Height determines lifting efficiency and compatibility with your building.

• Height Under Boom (HUB): Distance from the underside of the jib to the floor. Ensure that after accounting for the hoist and attachment height, your load can still be lifted safely.
• Overall Height: Make sure the top of the jib crane won't collide with lighting, piping, or existing overhead cranes.

Step 4: Power Supply and Control Options

• Manual vs. Motorized: Small loads (<1 ton) and short travel distances can be manually operated.
• Control Method: Operation is typically via a pendant control (button handle) or remote control.

This systematic approach ensures you select an industrial jib crane that meets both operational and safety requirements while maximizing efficiency and flexibility.

Quick Selection Comparison Table of Industrial Jib Crane

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Types	Free-Standing Jib Crane	Wall-Mounted Jib Crane	Wall-Travelling Jib Crane	Articulating Jib Crane	Portable / Mobile Jib Crane
Illustration
Max Load Capacity	16 t	5 t	5 t	0.5 t	1 t
Max Jib Length	12 m	6 m	7 m	6 m	4 m
Installation Method	1. Chemical anchor bolts 2. Embedded bolts	Fixed to wall or column with clamps/through-bolts	Rail installed on building columns	Chemical anchor bolts	Counterweighted basesimple installation
Rotation Angle	n × 360°; motorized rotation available	Maximum 180°	No rotation (moves along rail)	Main arm: 360° / Secondary arm: 270°	n × 360°
Hoisting Device	Electric chain hoist / Electric wire rope hoist	Electric chain hoist / Electric wire rope hoist	Electric wire rope hoist	Electric hoist / Intelligent servo electric hoist	Electric chain hoist / Manual chain hoist
Control Method	Pendant / Remote control	Pendant / Remote control	Pendant / Remote control	Gravity-sensing handle / Pendant	Pendant / Remote control
Key Features	Full 360° rotation High load capacity (up to 16 t)	Saves floor space, ideal for workstation edges	enables longitudinal coverage along wall	Two rotating arms can maneuver around obstacles	Highly mobile Can be relocated using a forklift

Every workshop or factory has a unique structure and set of operating conditions. If you're still uncertain after following the five-step selection process, or if you face special space constraints, don't worry.

DGCRANE's team of experienced engineers has delivered custom lifting solutions for over 100 countries worldwide, ensuring your industrial jib crane is perfectly tailored to your facility and workflow.

Zora Zhao

Expert in Overhead Crane/Gantry Crane/Jib Crane/Crane Parts Solutions

With 10+ years of experience in the Crane Overseas Export Industry, helped 10,000+ customers with their pre-sales questions and concerns, if you have any related needs, please feel free to contact me!

WhatsApp: +86 189 3735 0200

Email: zorazhao@dgcrane.com