Customer Question: Can an Overhead Crane Be Used to Lift a Guided Load?

In a recent webinar, a customer asked the following question related to the use of overhead cranes:

“Can an overhead lifting system, such as a crane, be used for lifting a guided load, like the door on a large furnace, for example?”

Our Columbus McKinnon Corporate Trainer answers:

According to information posted by the Hoist Manufacturers Institute (HMI), an overhead hoist is a machine used for lifting of material (not people) that is freely suspended (unguided). With that said, overhead cranes SHOULD NOT be used to lift a guided load.

Why? There are numerous potential hazards in doing this. A guided load is typically on a set of tracks of some kind. An example of this would be an overhead door that would be opened or raised using a hoist. If a load is guided by tracks, when the crane lifts the load, it can tilt and get wedged in the track. If that occurs, the hoist could be dangerously overloaded. Not only can this damage equipment, it could cause serious operator injury if the crane were to drop the load due to an overload condition or the load were to suddenly become unsnagged and break or jump off the track. 

For more information on the proper use of overhead cranes and hoists, you can attend one of our training classes.