A jib crane is a small crane with a horizontal arm that swings around a pillar or a wall bracket. Factories use jib cranes to lift parts at one work station, such as loading a machine, moving dies, or lifting items onto a bench, without waiting for the main overhead crane.
This guide explains the most common jib crane uses in factories in simple words. You will learn the main types, where each one fits, how to choose capacity and reach, and the safety points to check before you order. It is written for plant heads, maintenance teams and purchase managers.
If you need to lift loads across a whole bay, an EOT overhead crane is usually the right tool. A jib crane is the right tool when you need fast, local lifting at one spot.
What Is a Jib Crane?
A jib crane has three main parts. The first is the support, which is a pillar fixed to the floor or a bracket fixed to a strong column or wall. The second is the jib arm, which is a beam that sticks out from the support. The third is the hoist, which runs along the arm and lifts the load.
The arm can swing (slew) to cover a round or half-round area. The hoist can move in and out along the arm. Together, this lets one operator place a load almost anywhere inside that circle.
Most jib cranes use an electric chain hoist for light loads or an electric wire rope hoist for heavier loads and higher duty. Our guide on wire rope hoist vs chain hoist explains how to pick between the two.
Common Jib Crane Uses in Factories
Jib cranes are popular because they solve small, repeated lifting jobs. Here are the places where they help the most.
- Machine loading: lifting heavy jobs onto lathes, milling machines, drilling machines and CNC centres, and taking them off again.
- Die and tool change: moving press dies, moulds and fixtures in press shops and plastic moulding units.
- Assembly stations: lifting motors, gearboxes, castings and sub-assemblies into place on an assembly line.
- Welding and fabrication bays: turning and positioning jobs for welding, grinding and painting.
- Loading docks: loading and unloading small trucks, pallets and crates at a fixed point.
- Maintenance workshops: lifting pumps, motors and valves for repair.
- Under a main crane: working below a large EOT crane so the big crane stays available for big jobs.
In each case, the jib crane cuts waiting time, reduces manual handling and lowers the risk of back injuries and dropped loads.
Main Types of Jib Crane
Pillar-mounted (floor-mounted) jib crane
This type stands on its own pillar, bolted to a concrete foundation. It can often swing a full circle. It suits open floor areas, loading docks and outdoor yards where there is no strong column nearby.
Wall-mounted or column-mounted jib crane
This type is fixed to a building column or a strong wall with brackets. It saves floor space because it has no pillar. It usually swings about half a circle. The column must be checked by an engineer to make sure it can carry the extra load.
Articulating jib crane
This type has an arm with a joint in the middle, like an elbow. It can reach around columns and into machines. It suits light loads and assembly work where the load must be placed with care.
Jib Crane Types Compared
| Point | Pillar-mounted | Wall / column-mounted | Articulating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Support | Own pillar on a foundation | Building column or wall | Pillar or column |
| Swing | Up to a full circle | About half a circle | Wide, with a bend in the arm |
| Floor space used | Small footprint for the pillar | None | Small |
| Load range | Light to medium-heavy | Light to medium | Light |
| Best for | Docks, open floors, yards | Machine lines along columns | Assembly and tight spaces |
Exact capacity, reach and height are set during design for your site and your loads.
How to Choose the Right Jib Crane
Answer these simple questions before you ask for a design.
- What is the heaviest load? Include the weight of any lifting tackle, such as slings or a magnet.
- How far must the arm reach? Measure from the pillar or column to the farthest point you need to lift.
- How high must it lift? Measure the height under the arm and the hook height you need.
- How much swing do you need? A full circle, half a circle, or less.
- How often will it run? A few lifts a day or every few minutes. This decides the duty class of the hoist.
- What support is there? A strong column nearby, or open floor that needs a foundation.
- Indoor or outdoor? Outdoor cranes need weather protection for the hoist and panel.
Duty class matters even for small cranes. It is defined in IS 3177 and IS 807. A hoist rated for the right duty lasts longer and needs fewer repairs.
Jib Crane or Overhead Crane?
Many plants need both. Use this simple rule. If the load moves along the length of the shed, use an overhead or gantry crane. If the load is lifted, turned and placed at one work station, use a jib crane.
If your shed cannot carry an overhead crane, read our guide on gantry vs semi-gantry vs goliath crane. For large bays, see single vs double girder EOT crane to choose the right main crane.
Safety Points to Check
- Foundation or column checked by an engineer for the crane load
- Load test at 125% of rated capacity before handover
- Upper and lower limit switches on the hoist
- Overload protection on the hoist
- Slew stops so the arm cannot hit walls, machines or people
- Clear capacity marking on the arm
- Pendant or remote control with an emergency stop
- Operator training and a regular inspection plan
R K Engineering Works, Jaipur, has been building lifting equipment since 1998. We are ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certified, and our cranes are load-tested at 125% before handover.
FAQs
What is a jib crane mainly used for?
A jib crane is mainly used for lifting and placing loads at one work station, such as loading machines, changing dies, assembly work and loading small vehicles.
Can a jib crane be fixed to any column?
No. The column must be strong enough to carry the load and the turning force of the arm. An engineer should check the column before a wall or column-mounted jib crane is fixed.
Does a pillar jib crane need a foundation?
Yes. A pillar jib crane needs a concrete foundation designed for its load and reach. Our team shares the foundation details after design.
Which hoist is used on a jib crane?
Light-duty jib cranes often use an electric chain hoist. Heavier loads and higher duty usually need an electric wire rope hoist.
Can a jib crane work below an EOT crane?
Yes. This is a common setup. The jib crane must be placed so its arm and hoist stay clear of the EOT crane hook path.
Plan Your Jib Crane with Our Engineers
Tell us your load, reach, lift height and work area, and share a few photos. Our team will suggest the right jib crane type and hoist for safe, long-life use.
Request an engineering consultation or book a site survey: call +91 9799108009 or +91 9413341806, email contact@rkengineeringworks.in, or visit our contact page. R K Engineering Works, VKI Area, Jaipur.