How to Choose the Right Jib Crane for Your Facility

One of the most effective tools for localized lifting is the jib crane. From manufacturing floors to logistics warehouses, jib cranes offer versatile, space-efficient solutions that support repetitive lifting tasks with minimal operator strain.

If you're evaluating lifting solutions for your facility, this guide explores the technical and buying considerations to help you choose the right jib crane. We also include real-world use cases featuring Aardwolf products to illustrate best-fit applications.

Explore The Efficiency of Jib Cranes in warehouse for a full range of lifting solutions.

Understanding the Purpose of Jib Cranes

Jib cranes are a category of material handling equipment designed for lifting, moving, and lowering loads in a specific radius. Unlike overhead or gantry cranes, which serve larger operational areas, jib cranes focus on improving efficiency within individual workstations or zones.

They are ideal for:

• Repetitive material transfer in work cells

• Machine loading and unloading

• Tool or mold handling in assembly stations

• Ergonomic support in labor-intensive operations

Learn more about the types of cranes in How to handle Jib Cranes Installations.

Types of Jib Cranes and Their Benefits

Choosing the correct jib crane starts with understanding the configuration that best suits your layout, lifting needs, and space availability.

1. Freestanding Jib Crane

Freestanding jib cranes are mounted to a concrete foundation and offer full 360° rotation. These cranes are extremely versatile and do not rely on building structures for support.

Benefits:

• Standalone base—no wall or ceiling requirements

• Suitable for indoor and outdoor use

• Can handle higher capacities

Ideal For: Warehouses, logistics centers, and fabrication plants with open floor space.

2. Wall Mounted Jib Crane

Wall-mounted jib cranes are fixed to a vertical wall or structural column, offering 180° to 200° rotation. This type is preferred in facilities with limited floor space.

Benefits:

• No floor footprint required

• Ideal for side-station operations

• Cost-effective installation (if wall structure supports load)

Ideal For: Assembly lines, loading docks, fabrication areas.

3. Ceiling Mounted Jib Crane

Ceiling-mounted cranes are used when floor and wall options are unavailable or need to remain clear. They are installed on the roof trusses or ceiling beams of a facility.

Benefits:

• Zero impact on usable floor area

• Seamless overhead lifting

• Ideal for tight or congested environments

Ideal For: High-traffic production zones, small workshops, labs.

4. Articulating Jib Crane

Articulating jib cranes feature a two-arm pivot system, enabling movement around corners, pillars, or tight machinery layouts.

Benefits:

• Exceptional maneuverability

• Perfect for precision tasks

• Easy to use in irregular workspaces

Ideal For: Automotive plants, electronics assembly, CNC stations.

5. Pillar Jib Crane

Also referred to as column-mounted or over-braced jib cranes, these are installed on a concrete floor with a steel column support.

Benefits:

• High load capacity

• Excellent for centralized lifting

• Supports consistent radius operation

Ideal For: Heavy manufacturing, tooling facilities, injection molding.

For differences among crane types, visit The difference between crane and jib cranes.

Key Considerations Before You Buy

Load Capacity

Evaluate the maximum weight your crane must handle. Consider not just the heaviest item, but also any tooling or grippers added to the lifting assembly.

Rotation Range

A 360° rotating crane offers maximum coverage, but sometimes a limited arc (180°–200°) may better fit a workspace’s layout and safety parameters.

Mounting Method

Does your facility have structural walls or ceiling beams strong enough for mounting? If not, a freestanding or pillar-mounted solution is ideal.

Space and Obstruction Analysis

Measure your available space, check for overhead interference (pipes, lighting), and determine if articulating arms are needed for maneuverability.

Floor Conditions

A floor-mounted crane requires a reinforced concrete slab, typically at least 150 mm thick and properly rated for the crane’s load.

Check A useful key to apply jib cranes for installation guidance.

Aardwolf Case Studies

Example 1: Sheet Metal Fabrication (Victoria, Australia)

Product: Wall Mounted Jib Crane – 4m-250
Challenge: Handling large metal sheets without crowding the floor
Solution: Installed Aardwolf wall-mounted cranes to transfer material from racks to laser beds with 180° motion
Result: 30% reduction in material handling time and fewer lifting injuries

Example 2: Logistics Warehouse (Brisbane)

Product: Freestanding Jib Crane with custom boom
Challenge: Support for high-volume palletizing
Solution: A 5m arm with 360° rotation and electric chain hoist
Result: Increased throughput and eliminated need for structural reinforcement

Example 3: Automotive Assembly (Melbourne)

Product: Articulated Jib Crane – Wall Mounted
Challenge: Navigating tight layouts for engine installation
Solution: Articulating design enabled flexible movements
Result: Workflow handled by one operator instead of two

Example 4: Injection Molding (NSW)

Product: Pillar-Mounted Over-Braced Crane
Challenge: Mold changeovers in cramped central area
Solution: Crane placed centrally in the mold-change zone
Result: 40% reduction in tool swap times

Example 5: Stone Fabrication

Product: Manual Counterbalance Jib Crane
Challenge: Safely maneuvering heavy stone slabs
Solution: Portable counterbalance crane supported movement between stations
Result: Safer and more mobile operations

Installation & Maintenance Tips

• Always inspect concrete integrity before floor mounting

• Use torque-tested anchors and follow manufacturer guidance

• Conduct annual inspections and grease the pivot bearings

• Replace worn wire rope or chains as per OEM schedules

• Document and log every maintenance cycle

For more detailed guidance, see Installing wall-mounted jib cranes.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Jib Crane

The right jib crane depends on your workspace, lifting needs, and material flow. Aardwolf offers a wide variety of models to match each facility’s unique requirements—from compact wall-mounted units to heavy-duty freestanding cranes.

Whether you're moving engine parts, metal sheets, molds, or granite slabs, a well-selected jib crane will reduce downtime, improve safety, and streamline your operations.

Start your search by reviewing The Efficiency of Jib Cranes in warehouse, and explore the full product line to find a solution tailored to your application.

References

1.     How to operate a Jib Cranes safely

2.     What is a Jib Crane?

3.     Over brace jib crane wall mounted

4.     Wall mounted Jib Crane

5.     Is a Jib Crane a Gantry Crane

6.     Articulated Jib Crane Wall Mounted

7.     Where is Jib Crane used?

8.     Manual Counterbalance Crane

9.     Floor Mounted Jib Crane

10.  Over Braced Jib Crane Column Mounted

11.  Powered counterbalance Crane

12.  Portable Gantry Crane