WESTERN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
LUNA ST. LA PAZ, ILOILO CITY
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
PSME CODE
CHAPTER 5
CRANES AND OTHER HOISTING
EQUIPMENT
DEFINITION OF TERMS:
1. Boom - A timber or metal section or
strut which is pivoted or hinged at
the heel (lower end) at a fixed point
on a frame, mast, or vertical
member.
2. Boom Type Excavator - Means a
power operated excavating crane-
type machine used for digging or
moving materials
3. Booming, luffing or topping -
Raising or lowering the head of a
boom.
4. Brake (electric) - An electric motor
acting as a brake by regenerative,
counter-torque, or dynamic means.
5. Brake (electrically operated) - A
friction brake actuated or controlled
by electrical means.
6. Bridge (of an overhead, gantry, or
storage bridge crane) - Structural
member or members supporting one
Or more trolleys.
7. Buffer- A Cushioning device at the
ends of the trolley, bridge, or other
moving part of a crane operating on
rails to minimize shock in the event
of collision.
8. Bumper- A device which stops the
moving part at the limit of travel of a
trolley, bridge, or crane operating on
rails, and prevents further motion
beyond that point
9. Cab - An enclosure for housing the
operator and the hoisting
mechanism, power plant, and
equipment controlling crane.
10. Cage - An enclosure for housing the
operator and equipment controlling a
crane.
11. Crane - A machine for lifting or
lowering a load and moving it
horizontally, in which the hoisting
mechanism is an integral part of the
machine. It may be driven manually
or by power and may be a fixed or
mobile machine, but does not
include stackers, or lift trucks.
Uses of cranes:
The invention of cranes made things
easy for humankind because without them,
loading, unloading, and lifting had to be
done by human hands, would consume
more time, and the entire system was not
efficient at all.
A crane uses the pulley and cable
system to create a mechanical advantage
so that large loads can be lifted. The two
most important criteria in crane design are
lifting capacity and stability. Winders,
cables, ropes, chains, and a basic level-
pulley system are essential parts of any
type of crane. The lever and other simple
machines make work easier by decreasing
the amount of force required to accomplish
lifting and moving tasks. Levers manipulate
the torque involved and enable construction
engineers to lift heavy loads. A pulley
serves its basic purpose, which is to
distribute the amount of weight needed to lift
an object.
COMMON TYPES OF CRANES:
a. Boom type mobile crane - A self-
propelled crane equipped with a
boom and mounted on a chassis
which is supported on rubber tires,
endless belts or treads, or railway
wheels running on railroad tracks.
b. Cantilever gantry crane - A crane
in which the bridge girders or trusses
are extended transversely beyond
the crane runway on one or both
sides
c. Crawler crane - A boom-type
mobile crane mounted on endless
tracks or tread belts.
 WESTERN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
LUNA ST. LA PAZ, ILOILO CITY
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
d. Gantry crane - A crane similar to an
overhead travelling, except that the
bridge for carrying the trolley or
trolleys is rigidly supported on two or
more movable legs running on fixed
rails or other runway.
e. Hammer head Crane – A rotating
counterbalanced cantilever equipped
with one or more trolleys and
supported by a pivot or turntable on
a travelling or fixed tower.
f. Jib crane - A fixed crane consisting
of a supported vertical member from
which extends horizontal swinging
arms carrying a trolley hoist or other
hoisting mechanism.
g. Locomotive crane - A boom type
mobile crane consisting of a self-
propelled car operating on a railroad
track, upon which is mounted a
rotating body Supporting the power
operated mechanism together with a
boom capable of being raised or
lowered at its head (outer end) from
which is led to the wire rope or chain
connected to the hoisting
mechanism for raising or lowering a
load.
h. Motor-tractor crane - (see crawler
crane).
i. Motor truck crane - A boom type
mobile crane mounted on a motor
truck frame or rubber- tire chassis
j. Over head travelling or bridge
crane - A crane on a pair or parallel
elevated runways, adapted to lift and
lower a load and carry it horizontally
partner to, or at right angles to, the
runways, On consisting of one or
more trolleys operating on the
bridge, which in turn consist of one
or more girders or trusses mounted
on trucks operating on the elevated
runways in operation is limited to the
area between the runways.
k. Pillar crane - A fixed crane
consisting of a vertical member held
at the base, with horizontal.
l. Pillar jib crane - A fixed crane
consisting of a vertical member held
at the base, with horizontal revolving
arm carrying a trolley.
m. Pintle crane - A Crane similar to the
revolving am carrying a trolley
vertical member held at the base, wit
horizontal revolving am carrying a
trolley hammerhead, but without a
trolley, and which Supports the load
at the outer end of the cantilever am.
n. Portal crane - A gantry crane
without trolley motion, which has the
boom attached to a revolving Crane
mounted on a gantry, with the boom
capable or being raised or lowered
at its heel (lower end).
o. Semi-gantry or single leg crane -
A gantry with one of the bridge
rigidly supported on one or more
movable legs, running on a fixed rail
or runway, the other end of the
bridge being supported by a truck
running on an elevated rail or
runway.
p. Semi-portal crane - A portal crane
mounted on a semi-gantry frame
instead of a gantry frame.
q. Tower crane - A portal crane, with
or without an legs of its supporting
opening between the structure,
adapted to hoist and swing load over
high obstructions and mounted upon
a fixed or mobile tower-like gantry.
r. Tractor crane - (caterpillar crane)
(see crawler crane).
s. Wall crane - A crane having jib with
or without a trolley and supported
from a side wall or line of columns of
a building so as to swing through the
arc.
12. Crane runway - A structure
consisting of columns, Elevated
beams, girders, or trusses in a
building or on the side of a building,
for supporting travelling cranes,
Surface tracks or trestles.
 WESTERN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
LUNA ST. LA PAZ, ILOILO CITY
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
13. Derrick - A structure or building
appurtenance for hoisting, but does
not include a hoist way nor a car or
platform travelling through guides
14. Hoist- A mechanical contrivance for
raising or lowering a load by the
application of a vertical pulling force,
and does not necessarily include a
car or platform travelling through
guides.
Common types of hoist:
a. Base mounted electric hoist.
b. Clevis suspension hoist.
c. Hook suspension hoist.
d. Monorail hoist.
e. Overhead hoist.
f. Simple drum hoist.
g. Double drum hoist.
h. Single drum hoist.
i. Single fixed drum hoist.
j. Triple drum hoist.
k. Trolley suspension hoist.
15. Jib - A horizontal arm, for supporting
a trolley or fall block which does not
change its inclination with the
horizontal,
16. Radius - (of a crane or derrick). The
horizontal distance from the center
of rotation of a tower, hammerhead
portal or pillar crane, or derrick to the
center of the hook or load.
17. Swinging or slewing -The act of
moving a boom through the
horizontal arc.
18. Trolley. A truck or carriage on which
the hoisting mechanism is mounted
and which travels on an overhead
beam, or track.
19. Truck - (of an overhead, gantry, or
locomotive crane). The framework
and wheels operating on the runway
or rails, and supports the bridge,
trolley, or body of the crane.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
FOR CRANES
A. Access to Cage, Cab or Machine
House
Required:
1. Access to the cage or machine
house shall be by a conveniently
placed stationary ladder Houses. The
cages, cabs, or machine houses on
cranes used in inclement weather
shall be stairs, or platform requiring a
step-over. No gap exceeding 300 mm
(and in no case Exceed 815 mm) shall
be so located that a person
approaching or leaving the crane shall
Not be exposed to dangerous shear
hazards.
2. For the bridge and gantry Cranes,
there shall be a ladder, stairs or others
are means provided for convenient
access to the bridge walkway.
3. When necessary to go out on
booms or bridges to oil the blocks or
other parts of the Machinery. Each
boom or bridge shall be equipped with
a suitable oiler's walkway or platform
with grab irons giving access to the
outrage blocks and machinery.
Permanent elevated platforms
attached to the building at the end of
the bridge crane runways and at the
same level of the bridge will be
acceptable in lieu of the oiler's
platform on the bridge.
Single girder or monorail bridges with
underhand trolleys and hoists are
exempt from this requirement provided
the hoists and trolleys are serviced or
repaired from a safe portable ladder or
other sate temporary means.
4. Where practicable, overhead every
travelling crane walkway shall have a
headroom of at least 1950 mm.
However, when such headroom is not
practicable, the
Crane walkway shall have at least 1
500 mm clearance or it shall be
omitted from a crane and a permanent
elevated platform attached to the
building at the end of the crane
runway shall be provided.
 WESTERN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
LUNA ST. LA PAZ, ILOILO CITY
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
B. Outdoor cages, cabs or machine
houses – are used in inclement weather
shall be enclosed to protect the
operator.
C. Warning devices:
1. A gong or other effective warning
signal shall be mounted on each
cage or cab controlled crane
equipped with a power travelling
mechanism which can be sounded
continuously while the crane is in
motion.
2. Any cage or cab controlled crane
whose warning device has become
inoperative shall not be operated
until the warning device is repaired
or replaced. Temporary crane
operation will be permitted provided
there is an available flagman whose
sole duty is to warn those in the
path of the crane or its load.
D. Fire extinguisher- A carbon-
tetrachloride, carbon dioxide, or other
non-conducting medium portable fire
extinguisher shall be kept in the cage,
cab or machine house of each electric
or internal combustion engine crane.
E. Controllers:
1. Each electric cage-operated crane
shall be provided with a device that
will disconnect all motors from the
line in case of power failure or
intimation.
2. For floor-operated cranes, the
controller or controllers,
automatically return to the "off
position when released by the
operator
3. Lever operated controllers shall be
provided with a mechanical device
which will hold the handle in the "off
position requiring voluntary effort to
move it from the "off position to the "on
position.
4. All electrically operated cranes shall
have its controller plainly marked to
indicate its functions and which
equipment its controls.
5. The controller operating handles
shall be located within convenient
reach of the operator
6. As far as is practicable, the
movement of each controller handle
shall be in the same general direction
as the resultant movements of the load,
7. The controls for the bridge and
trolley shall be so located that the
operator can readily see the direction of
travel while operating the controls.
8. All electric cranes of the same type
operating in a given plant shall be so
wired that -like motion of controller
handles will produce like effect in
similar controlled mechanisms.
F. Hoist Limit Switches - The hoisting
motion of all electric overhead travelling
cranes shall be provided with a suitable and
effective enclosed type limit switched so
placed and arranged as to disconnect the
hoist motor and. apply the brake in time to
stop the motor before the hook passes the
highest point of safe travel.
G. Brakes:
1. Each electric crane hoist motor shall be
provided with an electrically or mechanically
operated brake so arranged that the brake
will be applied when the power is cut off
from the hoist. This brake shall have
sufficient holding torque to sustain not less
than one and one- half times the rated load.
2. Each independent hoisting unit shall be
equipped with two breaking means except
for Worm geared hoists where the angle of
the worm is such as to prevent the load
from lowering. One brake shall be covered
by above, and each braking means shall be
capable of sustaining or safely controlling
the lowering of not less than one and one-
half times the rated load.
3. Each ingot-pouring crane shall be
provided with two brakes each of which
shall have sufficient torque to sustain one
and one-half times the rated load.
H. Foot Brake Pedal - Foot brake pedals
shall be so roughened or covered with high
friction material that the operator's foot will
not easily slip off.
I. Locking Device - A locking device
capable of withstanding 50 percent more
than the maximum rated load shall be
provided on each hand or foot operated
hoisting motion brake unless a paw is
provided on the drum.
 WESTERN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
LUNA ST. LA PAZ, ILOILO CITY
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
J. Brakes for Bridges and Swinging
Motion:
1. On cage operated cranes with the
cage mounted directly on the bridge
girders, a foot brake to properly
retard and stop the motion of the
bridge shall be installed unless the
bridge stops automatically when the
power is cut off. This does not apply
to under slung cab monorail cranes.
2. Brakes for retarding the motion of
the bridge shall be capable of
retarding it at the rate of 305
mm/min., while full load is being
carried.
3. The swinging or slewing mechanism
on bottom type cranes shall be
provided with a brake or lock having
adequate holding power in either
direction. The lever operating this
brake or lock shall have a device by
which it can be secured in the hold
or locked position.
K. Booming Mechanism - All boom-type
cranes equipped with a mechanism for
raising and lowering the boom shall comply
with the following:
Requirements:
a. Brake –worm geared boom hoist
mechanism where the worm angle of
which is such as to permit the
loaded boom to lower shall be
equipped with a brake to hold the
loaded b0om in any position.
b. Ratchet and Pawl - A ratchet and
pawl shall be provided on the
mechanism for raising and lowering
the boom, unless a self- locking
worm and gear is part or the
mechanism. There shall be no
intervening clutch between any
boom hoist drum and its reduction
gear train.
L. Runway Bumpers - At the limits of travel
of the bridge or gantry structures, bumpers
shall be provided which will prevent bridge
or gantry structures from leaving the ends of
the rails. if the bumpers engage the tread of
the wheel they shall be of height at least
equal to the radius of the wheel.
M. Trolley Bumpers:
1. Bumpers shall be provided at each end of
the trolley travel top prevent trolleys leaving
the rails. If the bumper engage the tread of
the wheel they shall be of a height at least
equal to the radius of the wheel.
2. If there is more than one trolley on the
same bridge girders, buffers or other
cushioning shall. be placed between the
trolleys.
N. Bridge or Gantry Buffers - If there is
more than one crane on the same runway,
buffers or other cushioning devices shall be
placed between the crane at both ends of
the bridge or gantry.
O. Truck Fenders:
1. Bridge truck wheels, except on under
hung Cranes shall be equipped ith fenders
which extend below the top of the rail and
project in front of the truck wheels.
2. Gantry. Tower, hammerhead, or portal
Crane truck wheels shall be equipped with
wheel guards, or be otherwise similarly
guarded at both ends of each truck to
prevent a person being crushed beneath the
wheels. the clearance between the guard
and the rail shall be such as will afford
maximum protection against crushing
injuries.
P. Capacity Marking and Load Indication
:
1. The maximum rated load of all cranes
shall be plainly marked on each side of the
crane, and if the crane has more than one
hoisting9 unit, each hoist shall have marked
on it or its load block its rated capacity and
this should be clearly legible from the
ground or floor.
2. Each variable radius boom-type crane
shall be equipped with a safe load diagram
or table which will give a clear indication of
the permissible loads at the various radii,
3. If change-speed gear is used on the
lifting motion, the rated load for each speed
shall be similarly indicated.
 WESTERN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
LUNA ST. LA PAZ, ILOILO CITY
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

Q. Runway Repair - No repairs on COMPONENTS OF HOISTS:

travelling Crane runways or Within such
proximity to same as to constitute a hazard a. Limit Switches
t0 workmen shall be made unless a wheel b. Brakes
stop of a height at least equal to the radius c. Hoist Trolley Frames
of the wheel is secured to each rail and a d. Capacity Marking
warning sign is placed on each rail a e. Stops
reasonable distance from the worker, or f. Control Equipment
properly shielded rail-road torpedoes or g. Warning device
watchmen are employed to warm workers of
the approaching crane.

R. Crane Runways: DERRICKS IN PERMANENT LOCATION:

1. Runway anchored to a foundation. a. Construction

2. The structure shall be free from b. Load indication
excessive vibration under operating c. Hoisting Ropes
conditions. d. Access to Sheaves, Bearings and
3. Runway girders shall be level and parallel Blocks
within commonly tolerances. Columns shall
be securely accepted engineering.

S. Rails: AUXILIARY HOISTING EQUIPMENT:

1. Rails shall be securely attached to the a. Hoisting Chains and Ropes:

girders or to the foundation. b. Hooks, Sling and Fitting
2. Rails shall be level, in elevation with each c. End Attachment
other, parallel and in correct span within d. Chain Splices
commonly accepted engineering tolerances. e. Hoist of Sling hooks

T. Clearances – All travelling cranes the

supporting trucks or wheels of which travel
rails on the ground shall have at least 600 OPERATING RULES:
mm clearance between the crane and
stationary structures or stacks or piles of a. Size of load
materials. b. Attaching the load
c. Riding on Load
BOOM TYPE MOBILE CRANES: d. Holding the Load
e. Limit Switch
a. Operating levers f. Signaling
b. Boom stops g. Posting of Signals required
c. Capacity Marking h. Provision for preventing Accident
d. Access to Cage, cab, Due to Proximity of High Voltage
Machine and Boom Blocks Lines.
e. Protection for Operators of
Outdoor cranes.
f. Gage Glasses
g. Couplers INSPECTION:
h. Lubricator Glass
i. Brake or locking device a. The employer shall require that
j. Booming Mechanism fast moving parts such as wire
k. Ringing of the Boom Hoisting ropes, bearing gears, friction
Line clutches, chain drives and
l. Warning Device other parts subject to wear be
m. Wheel Guards inspected at adequate intervals
n. Truck Wedges and any unsafe conditions
o. Fire Extinguisher must be corrected. The
p. Lighting engineer must be required to
 WESTERN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
LUNA ST. LA PAZ, ILOILO CITY
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

keep properly indicating the

date of inspections in the
action made of each and every
equipment under his area of
supervision accomplished
logbooks and electrically
operated

b. Mechanically and brakes shall

be inspected periodically or as
often adjustments when
necessary should be made
immediately and necessary.

c. Canes handling molten metal

shall be inspected at least
once a week when in use and
necessary repairs made
accordingly.