Visualize an overhead crane’s runway system as the train tracks for a big crane. It’s made up of strong beams, tall columns, and tracks where the crane’s wheels roll.
There are two ways to set up the beams. For some cranes, the beams are like bridges on top of strong columns. Others hang from the ceiling, using the roof’s structure to hold them up.
If you want to add a new crane to your building, you have to make sure the columns can handle the crane’s weight. There are two ways to do this. Tied back columns connect to your building, like a friendly hug, giving extra support. Free-standing columns are like strong pillars that don’t touch the building’s insides.
Tied back columns help the crane stay steady and balanced. Runway systems come in two main types: Top Running and Underhung.
So, in simple terms, the runway is like train tracks for cranes, and we’ve got different ways to set it up to make sure everything stays safe and strong. Contact us today for more information on runway systems!
Workstation
Stand-alone workstation bridge cranes are header-braced across both ends. The header and runway beams are connected to the top of the column with a rigid moment connection. This removes the need for knee-braces and other braces, which in turn keeps the workstation free of obstructions and allows for maximum use of the work area. Header-bracing also eliminates the need to brace the crane structure to the building structure, which affords maximum flexibility in runway location.
The bridge rides on the top of the structure, providing maximum hook height. The additional hoist hook height gained by the unique momentary connection and top running design ranges in many cases from 10-24 inches.
Free-Standing
A great choice for when maximum hook height is desired. Because this system doesn’t have a brace, it requires at least six inches of concrete to mount it to the floor. Because freestanding crane structures don’t require support headers, they allow the crane to ride on the very top of the structure, affording maximum hook height – frequently as much as 10-24 additional inches. Maximize production space by adding a second or third overhead bridge crane onto the runway.
Semi Free-Standing
When a new or existing building has enough reserve capacity to resist the longitudinal and lateral forces, Harriman can attach the columns and runways to these buildings, reducing the amount of steel required. Ideal for situations requiring minimum floor obstructions and maximum headroom (hook height). Engineering services are available through Harriman to help determine if your building has the required strength to support one of these budget-friendly runway systems.
A main feature of a semi-freestanding overhead traveling crane system is a top running single- or double-girder bridge crane designed with the bridge on the top of the runway. The crane runway is positioned on self-supporting columns. For greatest use and versatility, consider adding two or more bridge cranes onto the same runway.
Header-Braced
Harriman top running header-braced overhead crane systems are self-supporting and ideal where minimal floor obstructions are essential and the lowest obstruction in the building is high enough for the system to be installed while still giving adequate headroom (hook height). No knee braces are required, increasing production space. The runway is supported by the freestanding support columns, each pair tied together by a header. Header-braced systems are ideal when the lowest obstruction in the building is high enough that it doesn’t limit hook height. To maximize use and flexibility of production space, consider installing multiple overhead cranes on the same runway.
Knee-Braced
Freestanding knee-braced industrial crane systems are great where maximum hook height is desired and additional floor obstructions created by the knee braces don’t pose an issue. Because the system is braced this way, no attachment back to the building or other structures is required. Because no support headers are required, an overhead bridge crane can ride along the very top of the structure, allowing for maximum hook height – in many cases an additional 10-24 inches. Consider adding a second or third overhead bridge crane onto a runway to maximize production space and increase productivity.
Free-Standing
Underhung runway systems are designed to support the stand-alone workstation bridge crane from the lower flange of the runway girder. These girders are commonly constructed from I- or W-flanged beams. Heavy-duty patented track runways are available for high-usage applications. The patented track is fabricated with a hardened lower flange to resist wear. Underhung runways and monorail spurs can use the same track, the interconnectivity serving as a cost-effective means of transferring loads between building bays via transfer switches. By design, nothing obstructs the path of the runway, making easy system extension possible.
Ceiling-Mounted
Our underhung ceiling-mounted runways attach directly to the ceiling or roof structure of a building. Ceiling-mounted workstation bridge cranes are bolted directly to the ceiling frame or trusses or else hung from suspension rods or tube brackets. Custom support brackets are available for sloped and pitched ceilings. The crane’s traveling bridge is suspended under the runway track system.
Free-Standing Workstations
A free-standing bridge crane is intended to be bolted to the floor and to support loads that will be moved vertically and horizontally. One worker can manipulate the load along a series of tracks, including curves and monorails, inside a closed system. This design works well in an area with limited headroom and/or a ceiling that is not strong enough to support a mounted bridge crane.
Ceiling-Mounted
Ceiling-mounted bridge cranes are great for applications with limited floorspace, facilities with large mobile equipment, and facility layouts that might change in the future. Ceiling-mounted systems also allow you to readily expand runway lengths and the number of bridges, and add links to monorail crane systems.
P.O. Box 357, Morristown, IN 46161
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Office: 765.763.8985
Fax: 765.763.8986
