Thursday 24th April 2025
Slewing jib cranes are a popular choice across many industries when a permanent lifting solution is needed for both vertical lifting and limited horizontal movement. They’re commonly used over workbenches, in maintenance workshops, at machine stations, and in loading or unloading zones.These cranes provide excellent floor coverage within the slewing radius of the jib arm, making them a practical and cost-effective alternative to full overhead crane systems—especially where space or budget constraints make large systems impractical. In some cases, they’re also used to complement existing overhead cranes by covering specific work areas.
It's important to note that a slewing jib crane is only operational once it's equipped with a lifting appliance—such as a hoist, or a hoist and trolley combination. While many slewing jib arms are designed and tested without a hoist included, they must be fitted with one before they can function as a complete lifting system.
10.1 Scope of Slewing Jib Cranes
10.1.1 Types and Design
- Slewing jib cranes included in this section may be:
- Wall-mounted, column-mounted, or free-standing in design.
- Constructed using standard structural sections or proprietary track systems.
- Suitable for a variety of general-purpose lifting applications across many industrial settings.
10.1.2 Use With Lifting Appliances
These cranes are always used in conjunction with a lifting appliance—typically:
- A hand chain hoist, or
- A powered hoist, often mounted on a trolley for movement along the jib arm.
- Section 3 – Hand Chain Hoists
- Section 6 – Power Operated Hoists
- Section 8 – Travelling Girder Trolleys
10.1.3 Exclusions
The following equipment types are not covered in this section:
10.2 Definitions
- Derricking (luffing) cranes
- Lifeboat cranes
- Cranes used on offshore platforms for vessel loading/unloading
- Cranes used for lifting or transporting people
10.2 Definitions
This section explains the key terms specific to slewing jib cranes, building on the general definitions already outlined in Section 1.2 of the LEEA Code.
10.2.1 – Slewing Jib Crane
A slewing jib crane consists of a cantilevered beam or horizontal jib arm, mounted on a king post that sits in bearing brackets. It can be:
- Wall-mounted or column-mounted, using an existing structure, or
- Free-standing, built into a custom support column.
10.2.2 – Slew (or Slewing)
Slewing refers to the rotary movement of the jib arm around a vertical axis. The angle of slew is the arc covered by the jib arm between its furthest rotation points.
10.2.3 – Overbraced
A jib is overbraced when its horizontal arm is supported from above by angled bracing.
A jib is overbraced when its horizontal arm is supported from above by angled bracing.
10.2.4 – Underbraced
A jib is underbraced when its horizontal arm is supported from below by angled bracing.
🖼️ (See Figure 10.2: Underbraced Slewing Jib Crane)
A jib is underbraced when its horizontal arm is supported from below by angled bracing.
🖼️ (See Figure 10.2: Underbraced Slewing Jib Crane)
10.2.5 – King Post
The king post is the main upright structure to which the jib arm and bracing are connected. It may be:
The king post is the main upright structure to which the jib arm and bracing are connected. It may be:
- A vertical shaft with top and bottom journals that rotate in bearings (Figure 10.3a), or
- A fabricated section with spigots and rollers designed for tubular column jibs (Figure 10.3b).
10.2.6 – Effective Radius
The effective radius is the horizontal distance from the center of rotation to the outermost point where the lifting hook aligns vertically.
🖼️ (See Figure 10.4)
The effective radius is the horizontal distance from the center of rotation to the outermost point where the lifting hook aligns vertically.
🖼️ (See Figure 10.4)
10.2.7 – Effective Travel
This refers to the distance the hoist or trolley can move along the jib arm, measured between fixed end stops.
🖼️ (See Figure 10.4)
This refers to the distance the hoist or trolley can move along the jib arm, measured between fixed end stops.
🖼️ (See Figure 10.4)
10.2.8 – Height
- Height is measured from the floor to the underside of the jib arm.
- Overall height is measured from the floor to the highest point of the crane.
10.2.9 – Effective Height
The effective height is the vertical distance from the floor to the bottom hook seat when the hoist is in its fully raised position.
🖼️ (See Figure 10.5)
The effective height is the vertical distance from the floor to the bottom hook seat when the hoist is in its fully raised position.
🖼️ (See Figure 10.5)
10.3 Types of Slewing Jib Cranes
Slewing jib cranes come in two primary types, each available in overbraced or underbraced configurations depending on the application and space constraints.
10.3.1 – Wall or Column Mounted Jib Cranes
In this setup, the jib arm, king post, and bracing are pre-assembled into a single unit. These can be either:
In this setup, the jib arm, king post, and bracing are pre-assembled into a single unit. These can be either:
- Wall-mounted, using drilled bolt holes in the brackets.
- Column-mounted, using clamp fixings that wrap around a structural column.
Slewing Angle:
- Wall-mounted jibs typically offer a 180° angle of slew.
- Column-mounted jibs can reach up to 270°, depending on the length and design of the brackets.
- Stops may be installed to limit the swing to any desired position within the arc.
10.3.2 – Free Standing Jib Cranes
These cranes include a fully integrated column, arm, and bracing—built as a standalone unit. Like wall-mounted types, they can be overbraced or underbraced depending on use and location.
🔧 Column Types:
⚙️ Slewing Features:
🔧 Column Types:
- Tubular columns allow for continuous 360° rotation.
- Box or fabricated sections typically allow up to 270° slew, with stops to limit the swing.
- Slip ring units are used for electric hoists when 360° rotation is required—avoiding cable twisting.
- For pneumatic hoists, the air is routed internally through the column and along the jib via a flexible hose. In these cases, rotation must be limited to avoid damaging hoses or fittings.
Foundation Options
1- Surface Mounted
– Base plate drilled to accept anchor bolts.
2- Cast-in Foundation
– Column extended below ground to counteract turning moments.
1- Surface Mounted
– Base plate drilled to accept anchor bolts.
2- Cast-in Foundation
– Column extended below ground to counteract turning moments.
🖼️ (See Figure 10.7 for foundation design)
10.4 Principles for Selecting Slewing Jib Cranes
Choosing the right slewing jib crane involves evaluating a number of technical, operational, and safety considerations. This section outlines key factors to ensure your selection meets both your performance needs and legal requirements
10.4.1 – Application Fit
Slewing jib cranes can be:
Slewing jib cranes can be:
- Custom-built for specific tasks
- Configured from standard kits, offering quicker and more economical solutions
10.4.2 – Selecting the Right Jib Crane
Several design and site-related considerations must guide your selection:
1- Wall or Column Mounted Cranes
Overbraced Jibs
✔️ Maximize travel and coverage
❌ Require significant overhead clearance
Underbraced Jibs
✔️ Provide maximum lifting height
❌ Reduce effective travel near the support column
4- Hybrid Option
🛑 Use slewing stops where needed to avoid collisions with machinery, walls, or nearby cranes.
Several design and site-related considerations must guide your selection:
1- Wall or Column Mounted Cranes
- A qualified engineer must verify the supporting structure’s ability to withstand the added loads.
- Require engineered foundations considering column type, soil loading, mounting method, and imposed forces.
Overbraced Jibs
✔️ Maximize travel and coverage
❌ Require significant overhead clearance
Underbraced Jibs
✔️ Provide maximum lifting height
❌ Reduce effective travel near the support column
4- Hybrid Option
- Underbraced jibs with spaced bracing allow trolley passage, but reduce slewing angle and increase arm width.
10.4.3 – Choosing a Lifting Appliance
Your lifting appliance (hoist) should match both the task and the crane design:
- Hand chain, electric, or pneumatic hoists
- Match hoist capacity to the crane's Safe Working Load (SWL) to avoid confusion
- Consider the hoist size, weight, and how it affects end approach and slewing limits
10.4.4 – Slewing Mechanism Selection
Jib arms can slew:
Jib arms can slew:
- Manually by pushing the load
- Using manual gears
- By powered rotation
- Obstructions at ground level
- Suspended load positions
- Hazardous load types
🛑 Use slewing stops where needed to avoid collisions with machinery, walls, or nearby cranes.
10.4.5 – General Considerations
Other key factors to keep in mind:
1- Power Supply Requirements
Other key factors to keep in mind:
1- Power Supply Requirements
- Ensure access to a suitable power source with isolation capability
- Most free-standing powered jibs are supplied with integrated power systems and isolators
- Essential to prevent trolleys from overtraveling or hitting bracing/structure
- Use internal stops to restrict travel for workflow efficiency or safety
- Standard cranes are primed and painted, but may need further treatment in harsh or sensitive environments (e.g., outdoor, humid, or food-grade applications)
- All equipment should include documentation for compliance with legislation
- If documentation is missing, arrange a thorough examination by a Competent Person
10.5 Key Information to Exchange with the Crane Supplier
When selecting or designing a slewing jib crane, clear communication between the user and the supplier or designer is essential. Since these cranes are often tailored using standard components, sharing detailed site and usage information ensures the correct specification and safe performance.
📌 A site visit by the supplier is strongly recommended to reduce miscommunication and ensure the right crane is selected for your location and application.
Essential Information to Provide:
1- Type and Style
– Wall/column mounted or free-standing
– Overbraced or underbraced
2- Safe Working Load (SWL)
– Weight and type of load to be lifted
1- Type and Style
– Wall/column mounted or free-standing
– Overbraced or underbraced
2- Safe Working Load (SWL)
– Weight and type of load to be lifted
3- Lifting Appliance
– Type to be used (e.g. electric, pneumatic, manual hoist)
4- Effective Radius
– Include both minimum and maximum, to define travel range
5- Effective Height
– Distance from floor to underside of jib arm
6- Available Headroom
– Total installation height available
7- Required Slewing Angle
– Arc of rotation needed (e.g. 180°, 270°, 360°)
8- Crane Classification
– If known, specify; otherwise, see note 2 below
9- Electric Power Feed
– Type required, with voltage, phase(s), and frequency
10- Pneumatic Power Feed
– Type required, with pressure and airflow rate
– Type to be used (e.g. electric, pneumatic, manual hoist)
4- Effective Radius
– Include both minimum and maximum, to define travel range
5- Effective Height
– Distance from floor to underside of jib arm
6- Available Headroom
– Total installation height available
7- Required Slewing Angle
– Arc of rotation needed (e.g. 180°, 270°, 360°)
8- Crane Classification
– If known, specify; otherwise, see note 2 below
9- Electric Power Feed
– Type required, with voltage, phase(s), and frequency
10- Pneumatic Power Feed
– Type required, with pressure and airflow rate
For Free-Standing Jib Cranes:
- Size and type of column
- Fixing details (bolt type, grade, size, PCD)
- Minimum foundation dimensions
- Downward load reaction
- Turning moment at full outreach
For Wall/Column-Mounted Jib Cranes:
- Type of mounting bracket
- Max reaction force on top and bottom brackets
Environmental and Safety Conditions:
- Indoor or outdoor use
- Exposure to corrosive or hazardous environments
- Handling of dangerous or sensitive loads
Surface Finish and Paint:
- Special coatings, finishes, or colours (e.g. for food handling, outdoor exposure, or safety marking)
Other Special Requirements:
- Flameproofing or hazardous zone compliance
- Unique technical specifications
- Installation and maintenance instructions
Notes:
(1) Structural and foundation-related data from items 11 and 12 should be confirmed by a qualified engineer as per Section 10.4.2.
(2) If crane classification is unknown, provide:
Estimated utilization:
(1) Structural and foundation-related data from items 11 and 12 should be confirmed by a qualified engineer as per Section 10.4.2.
(2) If crane classification is unknown, provide:
Estimated utilization:
- Lifts per hour
- Daily/Monthly usage
- Lifts at 100%, 75%, 50%, and 25% of SWL
- Weight of lifting appliance (if known)
- Desired design life (in years)
📣 Final Tip
If you’re unsure about any details, consult your supplier. Their guidance ensures you get the most suitable and compliant jib crane for your needs. Always follow any restrictions or recommendations provided.
10.6 Legal Requirements
When it comes to slewing jib cranes, compliance with health and safety legislation is critical. This section outlines the key legal responsibilities for suppliers, purchasers, and users.
📌 For broader legislative context, refer also to Section 1.3 of the LEEA Code of Practice.
10.6.1 – Documentation on Supply
1- If the crane is supplied without electrics or a hoist, the supplier must provide written documentation confirming:
2- If the crane is supplied as a complete unit, it must:
1- If the crane is supplied without electrics or a hoist, the supplier must provide written documentation confirming:
- Compliance with essential health and safety requirements
- Any standards used in the structure's design and manufacture
- Information for use to ensure safe operation
2- If the crane is supplied as a complete unit, it must:
- Be clearly marked
- Be delivered with all relevant legal documentation
- Comply with the applicable design and manufacturing standards for lifting equipment
10.6.2 – Inspection and Examination Requirements
1-Slewing jib cranes and their structural components (anchors, fixings, supports) are classified as lifting equipment.
2-Unless a written scheme of examination (per LEEA 032) is in place, cranes must undergo:
1-Slewing jib cranes and their structural components (anchors, fixings, supports) are classified as lifting equipment.
2-Unless a written scheme of examination (per LEEA 032) is in place, cranes must undergo:
- Thorough examination by a Competent Person at intervals not exceeding 12 months
- Retained
- Cross-referenced with the crane's historical records
- Available for inspection by enforcement authorities or Competent Persons
10.6.3 – Post-Installation Inspection
1- After initial installation or relocation, cranes must be:
1- After initial installation or relocation, cranes must be:
- Thoroughly examined by a Competent Person before first use
- Typically include a proof load test
10.6.4 – Post-Repair Verification
- After any repair work, especially to the foundation or fixings, the crane must be:
- Re-verified by a Competent Person