FAQ’s


Forklift & Crane Accessories

IS YOUR FORKLIFT MAN CAGE COMPLIANT AND SAFE?

Forklift Man Cage safety checklist:

    • Must be manufactured in accordance with Australian Standard AS 2359.1
    • Must have guardrails, mid rails and kick boards fitted
    • Gates must open inwards only with spring loaded latch installed for automatic closing
    • Two metre high guard must be fitted to the back of the platform. This shall be sufficiently wide that prevents contact to the lifting mechanism.
    • Must be operated with the tilt lever on the forklift controls that is locked out or made inoperable. Alternatively, must have a fall restraint system that comprises of a full harness and short lanyard to allow free movement within the confines of the platform only
    • Operating instructions must be available
    • Working load limit must be displayed in a prominent position
    • Man cage shall be properly secured to the forks in such a way that it cannot slide, tilt or be displaced
    • Should only be used by a competent forklift operator
    • Should only be used while an operator is at the controls of the forklift or there is an independent means of access to and egress from the platform.

View the Worksafe Guidelines here

What is the maximum length fork extension that I can fit to my forklift?

AS 2359.15 states that the blade length of the of the parent fork arm shall be greater than or equal to 60% of the fork arm extension.


Gantry & Crane Systems

What are workstation light crane systems used for?

Workstation light gantry cranes are used in a wide variety of applications, but are predominantly found in production lines, factories, workshops, and light industrial manufacturing operations where finished goods, componentry, and raw materials need to be repeatedly lifted and transported from one location to another within the same facility.

Workstation light crane systems have a number of benefits over traditional larger gantry overhead crane setups:

  • Best-in-class weight to load capacity ratio, improving cost-efficiency.
  • Highly adaptable - can be configured to suit the task at hand, and disassembled and moved location, should operational requirements change.
  • Installed either freestanding or suspended/fixed to the building structure, with a comparatively fast installation/disassembly (against other crane types), reducing downtime.
  • Freedom of movement - perfect for repetitive tasks and precision operation.
Is a workstation light overhead gantry crane a bridge crane?

As is often the case in our industry, terminology tends to get mixed with varying results, and workstation light overhead cranes are no exception.

A workstation light crane may go by many names: Light gantry crane, overhead crane, work station crane, track crane, and bridge crane to name a few - all of these labels are used interchangeably throughout the industry to describe a workstation crane system.

The ‘bridge’ in the bridge crane is the overhead cross-beam that sits between two parallel tracks of the workstation crane. The hoist trolley runs across the 'bridge' providing the left-to-right positioning of the hoist. The bridge is occasionally referred to as a ‘girder’, but it is important to note that a workstation crane is not a heavy girder or heavy bridge crane.

Can workstation light crane systems be customised for tailored use?

Highly adaptable, workstation light crane systems can be precisely configured for specific loads and layouts, and can feature either single or double tracked bridges to meet the required load capacity.

We are able to customise workstation light cranes to meet your required application, and can provide custom paint jobs and surface treatments (including hot dipped galvanising) on request.

What is the “girder” on a single girder crane?

A single girder crane features only one girder in its configuration - the girder being the metal beam on which the central lifting point of the crane (the hoist head) runs.

The girders used on such cranes are 'I' profile beams, meaning they are typically straight and feature an 'I' style construction which can be reinforced throughout or at points to accommodate different loads and crane arrangements.

What are double girder cranes used for?

Similar to their single girder crane system cousins, double girder cranes are often utilised to safely and efficiently transport heavy goods and materials such as steel, industrial machinery, shipping containers, and train and railway components.

Double girder cranes can be found throughout the heavy industry and transport sector, with operators including:

  • Logistical transport and warehousing hubs
  • Factories
  • Steelworks
  • Mining operations.
Advantages and disadvantages of a double girder crane system

Double girder cranes differ from their single girder crane counterparts in that they feature two girders in their configuration. These girders are metal beams from which the central lifting point of the crane (the hoist head) runs.

The girders used on such double girder crane systems are generally “I” profile beams, typically straight in their design with a distinctive “I” style construction. Girder beams can be reinforced throughout or at points to accommodate different loads and crane arrangements.

The key advantages of a dual or double girder crane system are:

  • Superior hoist/hook height compared to a single girder crane
  • Theoretically no limitations regarding maximum span or capacity rating
  • Special features such as maintenance walkways and platforms, cabs, lights, and magnetic reels can be supported by a double girder crane design
  • Suitable for indoor and outdoor use

The double girder setup typically offers greater lifting capability at the trade-off of higher material and freight cost, design complexity and additional challenges around installation compared to a single girder crane.

Why use a workstation light overhead gantry crane?

Workstation light crane systems feature freedom of movement that is unseen with larger, bulkier cranes. Perfect for precise, repetitive tasks, workstation cranes are great at supplementing forklift fleets or jib crane systems, workstation cranes are known for being operator user-friendly and improving productivity.

Highly durable due to their closed profile construction which prevents the system from being exposed to dust, workstation cranes feature steel profiles which are surface treated with impact resistant powder coating to provide further protection and longevity.

A selling point of workstation cranes is that the lifting device (typically a hoist) and trolley can be replaced if required, improving the adaptability and longevity of the entire system.

All connections in the system are bolt connections which make the system easy to install and easy to adapt to changing layout requirements. The patented hoist trolley runs inside the track profile and features special nylon wheels with sealed bearings making the trolley movement almost effortless, with a rolling resistance of only approximately 1% of the moved load.

With a large range of accessories available, almost any requirement can be met, guaranteeing a high level of operational capability and risk mitigation, while keeping investment costs in check.

Is a workstation light crane system a type of jib crane?

No. Another important distinction is that the workstation light crane systems we design and supply are overhead (or bridge) cranes by definition, and do not feature the cantilevered jib arm design that people commonly associate with cranes in general.

However, we do supply jib crane systems that are well suited to assisting in a set workspace environment. Two variants that fit this criteria are column mounted jib cranes and wall mounted jib cranes - both of which feature the classic jib arm design, meaning they do not feature a bridge for the hoist or lifting device to run along, but are a great choice for repetitive tasks in a fixed workspace where the work radius is defined.

It is not uncommon to see both workstation cranes (and larger gantry cranes) and jib crane systems sharing a single workspace such as a factory floor or logistics centre.

  • If interested in a crane with a jib arm design (including wall mounted, column mounted, and industrial manipulator variants), our jib cranes section has you covered.
What are single girder cranes used for?

Whether suspended from the roof with standard suspensions or mounted on the floor with freestanding support frames, single girder cranes are commonly found in industrial environments where a dedicated lifting capability is required.

Single girder cranes are utilised to safely and efficiently transport heavy goods and materials such as steel, industrial machinery, or mechanical components.

Several locations where single girder cranes can commonly be seen include:

  • Automotive workshops - particularly useful in the removal of engines
  • Factories
  • Steelworks
  • Engineering and fabrication workshops.
What is the difference between a single girder crane and a dual girder crane?

As implied by the name, single girder cranes differ from dual (double) girder cranes in that they feature a solitary metal beam girder in their design. This single girder configuration results in a reduction in materials and engineering design, making the single girder crane a cost-effective and comparatively lightweight lifting solution when weighed up next to a dual girder crane.

Single girder cranes are often designed to be somewhat portable, making them easier to install and transport than dual girder cranes - though this is determined on a case by case basis, depending on the structural design and material composition of the crane system.

This single girder design is a double edged sword, as the reduction in structural material and relative design complexity of a single girder crane system means that the total span and capacity rating is likely to be lower, with special features like lights and maintenance components such as service walks often more difficult to incorporate than on a dual girder crane system.

Dual girder cranes feature two metal beam girders. This dual girder setup usually offers greater lifting capability at the trade-off of higher material and freight cost, design complexity and additional challenges around installation compared to a single girder crane.

How does a double girder crane system work?

The dual or double girder crane is a precisely engineered overhead gantry crane lifting instrument with a three-dimensional construction to provide the most height possible by lifting from the bridge profile, located between the track profiles, maximising the hoist height and work space. With a double girder crane, the clearance height is increased compared to a single girder crane, as the hoist can run on top of the girders.

By giving you more room to manoeuvre within, a double girder crane provides greater safety for personnel and transported goods, and increases the efficiency of your material handling operation.


Vacuum Lifters


Hoist & Winches

SAFE OPERATION PROCEDURE FOR YOUR ELECTRIC CHAIN HOISTS
  • When operating the hoist, always maintain a firm footing and only operate from a location that will always be safe.
  • People must stay clear of the suspended load.
  • Never use the hoist to lift, support or transport people and never lift load over or near people.
  • Before lifting a load, confirm that all sections of the hoist function properly.
  • Always keep the load chain well lubricated and protect it from weld spatter or other damaging contaminants.
  • Never allow the chain or hook to be used as a ground for welding and never touch them with live welding electrodes.
  • Never use the hoist with twisted, kinked, damaged or worn chains and never attempt to lengthen the load chain.
  • Always use proper slings and attachments in the correct manner and confirm that they are seated properly in the hook.
  • Also confirm that the safety latch assembly has closed completely.
  • Never use the load chain as a sling and never apply the load to the tip of the hook.
  • Never lift more than the rated load.
  • Never operate the hoist unless the load is centred underneath it.
  • Slack must be taken up carefully. After the load has been lifted a few centimetres, confirm that the load is well balanced. When lifting, this prevents the load from swinging.
  • Never allow your attention to be diverted when operating the hoist and never leave a suspended load unattended.
  • Inspect the hoist regularly. Never use a hoist when malfunction, unusual performance, damage or extensive wear are found.
  • Never adjust or repair a hoist unless you are qualified to perform hoist maintenance.
  • Never modify the hoist. A qualified approval is required for all nonstandard applications of the hoist.
  • Use only genuine parts for repairs.
  • Never remove or obscure the warnings on the hoist.

Industrial Lifting Accessories


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