"Stand Alone Bridge Crane Systems Provide Cost Effective Solutions To Lifting Problems"

SPANCO, manufacturer of gantry cranes, jib cranes and enclosed track workstation cranes, provided overhead material handling solutions to the repair and service division of Kingsbury Inc., manufacturer of thrust and journal bearings. Before the installation of two SPANCO overhead enclosed track workstation cranes, shop employees used forklifts and chains to lift and transport damaged parts weighing between 100 to 1,600 lbs. from work area to work area. It required at least two employees, one to operate the forklift and another to facilitate maneuvering, which meant workflow delay and interruption. Workflow interruption created a substantial problem for the repair and service division because of the quick turn around needed by Kingsbury's customers.

In addition to interrupted workflow, the fork lift and chain method also damaged and "banged up" parts. "It would take us an extra couple of hours just to repair damages from lifting and transport," recalled maintenance technician, Ray Koch. Space constraints added to the list of problems for Kingsbury. "Our overall facility is small and our work floor is normally utilized to its fullest capacity," said Koch. "We used a tripod, which required considerable floor space, in our welding area before the installation of the workstation crane system."

To solve these problems and create an ergonomic lifting system, Kingsbury engineers and shop equipment operators considered the option of installing a ceiling mounted bridge crane. However, this option was not the most feasible because of a low ceiling in their facility. Aside from space limitations, Kingsbury had specific budget limitations making the ceiling mounted crane an even more difficult option. Kingsbury contacted their local material-handling distributor to further troubleshoot the problem. The distributor felt the best way to create an ergonomic lifting solution and to cost effectively solve Kingsbury's problems would be to install a SPANCO enclosed track stand alone workstation bridge crane system in their main repair area and to later install another stand alone workstation bridge crane system in their welding area.

Kingsbury's engineers and operators were enthusiastic about the proposed solution, but were slightly skeptical about how an enclosed track workstation crane system would meet their space and budget criteria. A team of SPANCO’s technical staff gave a tour, coordinated through the distributor, of SPANCO’s facility. The tour gave Kingsbury's engineers and operators the opportunity to address their concerns, to see an overhead workstation crane system in action and a chance to compare how a system could work in their facility. SPANCO's technical staff worked with Kingsbury's engineers to customize a system that would solve their problems.

The customized system they developed for the main service area includes one support structure with two 2000 lb. capacity bridges and air hoists, one to cover each work area. In order to prevent the bridges from operating too close together, SPANCO incorporated bridge buffers into the design of the crane. "This system allows full utilization of our ceiling space without interfering with water pipes and lighting fixtures. It also eliminates damages to parts and the need for more than one worker to lift and transport loads because of the ease in operating the system."

Following the installation and success of the 2000 lb. capacity system, Kingsbury installed another 1000-pound capacity system with an electrified hoist in the welding area to eliminate a tripod. "This system, again, allows full utilization of ceiling space and also allows for opening and closing clearance of a loading dock door. The crane opened up needed floor space as well," explained Koch.

Aside from productivity, cost and space benefits, Kingsbury succeeded in their goal of having an ergonomically justified crane system. "We've always been a safety minded company and we feel these systems have successfully fulfilled our safety expectations.”