Crane Control: Remote control, Pendant Control & Cabin Control

Crane control overview: Remote crane control, Pendant crane control & Cabin crane control, which do you need? Check advantages of types of crane control to get right crane control!

Why crane control is important?

• The crane's controls allow an operator to direct the crane and hoist operation on electrified overhead crane systems. The three forms of movement that a crane's control system influences are:
• Crane motion– moving the overhead crane and gantry crane up and down the runway(s)
• Hoist positioning– side-to-side / lateral movement of crane hoists, including chain hoists and wire rope hoists, etc.
• Hoist lifting motion– moving the hook up and down of the hoists.

There are 3 ways that a crane can be operated:

• An operator can operate the crane from an uncovered or enclosed cab attached to the crane, with the assistance of one or two coworkers on the ground who use hand signals to guide and position the load.
• An operator on the floor can operate a crane using a push button pendant system attached to the crane or a wireless control system that uses a radio transmitter and receiver.
• An operator in a crane control cabin can operate a crane. Crane cabin, also known as crane operator's cab, is an important crane component used in overhead traveling cranes and gantry cranes to provide safe crane operation in a variety of applications, including harsh ones.

Over time, there has been a trend toward moving operators out of the cabs and onto the floor, where they are closer to the load and have greater visibility and perspective points for lifting and lowering loads.

One person can operate a crane using pendant or remote radio crane controls to raise, position, and lower the load. For years, the typical crane was equipped with pendant crane controls, but as remote radio crane controls have become more affordable, the cost of both types of control systems has been balanced.

Pendant and remote radio crane controls can both be completely safe techniques for controlling and operating a crane if a crane operator is properly educated. Our customers commonly ask us if push button pendant crane controlsor remote radio crane controls are better when studying and constructing an overhead crane system, or which technology they might be able to utilize to upgrade or modernize their overhead crane.

Radio Controls for Overhead Cranes

Radio crane controls for various types of overhead cranes can be constructed with a range of speed controls, button and lever combinations, and other features.

The operator holds a wireless remote transmitter with a set of buttons or levers, or it is hooked onto a harness or belt worn by the operator. A radio signal is sent from the distant transmitter to a reception unit positioned on the crane. This unit converts the signal into electrical energy, which is then sent on to the crane's intermediate relay unit, which activates the proper contact to move the crane up and down the runway, move the hoist or trolley side to side, and raise or lower the hook.

Crane remote control

Crane wireless radio crane control

Push button remote control

Advantages of Using Radio Controls

Radio crane controls for overhead crane systems had a bad reputation 20-30 years ago. They were costly, and they had a lot of interference difficulties, which produced control concerns, resulting in decreased productivity and irritation for the end-user.

The functioning of the transmitter and receiver has substantially increased over time, making them a stable and trustworthy alternative for managing an overhead crane system. Furthermore, when wireless and radio crane controltechnologies grew more common, the cost of these remote systems dropped dramatically, making them a more cost-effective alternative and more comparable to pendant control systems.

• Radio crane controls are battery-operated and can be portable or "bellybox" style, with the user clipping it to their belt or attaching it to a harness or shoulder strap. With different speed options and straightforward controls, both kinds can be compact, lightweight, and ergonomically constructed.
• The primary benefit of employing a radio crane controlfor an overhead crane is that it eliminates the need to be attached to the crane via cab controls or pendant crane controls. Because the operator does not have to be close to the weight in order to lift, position, or lower it, remote radio crane controls can assist safeguard them from dangers such as:
• Vapor, smoke, or chemical exposure
• Radiation
• High heat or hot metals
• High voltage / electric shock
• High humidity

Not only will the operator be able to operate safely on the floor away from potential hazards, but they will also have a better vantage point from which to perform the lifts. Because the operator does not have to walk alongside the load as it moves along the crane bay, remote radio crane controls keep the operator safe from trip and fall dangers such as barriers on the floor, workers, and other gear or equipment in use. They're also perfect for higher duty classifications, when the crane is required to run up and down the runways more frequently and at a faster rate.

One of the cost-cutting advantages of using remote radio crane controls to operate a crane is that the operator has better visibility. You no longer need a team of two or three people controlling a crane from the cab and the floor to raise, move, and lower cargo by hand signals because just one operator is necessary to manage the crane from the ground. Better visibility can also aid with faster load placing and damage management since the operator can better evaluate the load and clearing obstructions from the ground.

Advanced developed remote radio crane controls can also offer diagnostics and data to a crane operator or a service professional who is servicing or inspecting an overhead crane on site. These sophisticated radio systems can provide information on:

• Runtime usage
• Drives
• Weight on the hook
• Number of picks or hooks made
• Diagnostics or fault codes for issues requiring maintenance

A crane service specialist can extract information directly from the radio crane controlin the event of an issue or fault code that requires maintenance, rather than needing to climb up on a lift to rummage around and identify the source of the problem.

Disadvantages of Using Radio Controls

For overhead cranes that aren't utilized frequently, radio crane controls aren't suggested. The reason for this is that the controls are battery-powered, and there's a greater possibility that the batteries will be dead or not fully charged when the crane is needed.

Because these controls rely on disposable or rechargeable batteries, they must be examined or replaced on a regular basis, which can cause hassles for the operator and have an impact on productivity if not maintained properly.

Another downside of utilizing a radio crane controlto operate an overhead crane is that, as a handheld device, it is more vulnerable to damage. Even though it's built of durable plastic and rubber, it can still be damaged and lose functioning if dropped frequently.

There are several settings that produce their own radio waves that can interfere with the operation of an overhead crane, however they are uncommon. A facility that performs induction heating or induction welding techniques is an example. The radio waves generated during these operations may interfere with communication between the transmitter and receiver of the radio.

Finally, because the transmitter is not connected to the crane, it is vulnerable to being misplaced if a central storage location is not established ahead of time.

Pendant Controls for Overhead Cranes

The operator can manage the crane and the load as it moves down the runway using a pendant control that hangs from the hoist or a separate festoon track.

The operator uses a handheld controller with push buttons that is directly hooked into the hoist or a separate festoon track and hangs down. The operator goes down the runway with the crane and the load, holding the control pendant. The operator can also use the pendant control to position the hoist laterally and control the up and down lifting movement of the hook.

Advantages of Using Pendant Controls

Pendant controls used to be included with almost all types of overhead crane systems years ago. Radio control systems became more commonly employed as their prices fell. Because of its dependability and ergonomic design upgrades that make them more comfortable for the operator to use, pendant systems are still quite popular today. The modern pendant is much smaller and lighter, and it can be controlled with with one hand.

The most significant benefit of pendant crane controlsis their dependability. There is no interference between a remote radio transmitter and the receiver because they are hard linked into the hoist or festoon system.

Pendant controls are very resistant to mechanical damage and pollutants due to their tough construction. The following are some of the advantages of their design:

• High impact resistance -
• because it's suspended from the crane, it can't be dropped by the operator.
• Corrosion, moisture, dust, filth, and grime resistance Insulated construction for shock resistance
• Ergonomic design for operator comfort and minimal fatigue

Pendant controls are appropriate for cranes with lower duty cycle classifications, while they can be utilized on practically any type of overhead crane. The crane controls will always have power because they are hardwired into the electrification system, so the operator won't have to worry about changing or charging batteries for a crane that isn't used very often. For explosion-proof cranes, pendant crane controlsare frequently the favored control option.

The pendant, unlike remote radio crane controls, is always accessible because it hangs from the crane itself. Unlike a radio transmitter, the operator does not have to worry about finding it or keeping track of it.

Disadvantages of Using Pendant Controls

The main disadvantage of employing a pendant control is that it keeps the operator constantly near to the load. Putting the operator near the load, especially when dealing with big loads and/or dangerous items like hot metals or chemicals, might increase the risk of an accident or exposure to harmful elements.

Another significant disadvantage is that the operator must follow the weight across the facility's floor, thus increasing the risk of a trip or fall. The operator must be aware of any materials or barriers on the floor, as well as where their coworkers are working and what machinery or equipment is in the immediate vicinity.

In high-use duty cycles, overhead cranes can move up and down the runway quickly, making it difficult or impossible for the operator to keep up with a pendant system. When employing a process crane or a heavy-duty crane, the operator will find it far more convenient to manage the crane from a cab or by radio crane control.

Finally, the pushbutton controls within a crane bay can become stuck on machines or other impediments, causing the pendant to become detached from the crane. Furthermore, as the pushbutton cable goes down the crane bay, the wires inside it can break owing to dragging and catching on impediments and obstacles.

Both pendant crane controlsand remote radio crane controls are good solutions for safely controlling the crane and hoist operation if your crane operators have been adequately educated.

Pendant controls were the standard for many years, but as remote radio crane controls have improved in reliability and cost, they are becoming more popular on standard crane systems. Pendant controls, on the other hand, are still a popular choice when building crane systems for our customers due to their durability and reliability.

Crane cabin control

Crane cabin, also known as crane operator's cab, is a critical crane component of overhead traveling cranes and gantry cranes that ensures safe crane operation in a variety of applications, including harsh ones. Cabin crane control are used on a wide range of industrial overhead travelling cranes and gantry cranes, including container cranes, ship unloaders, rubber port gantry cranes, shore container gantry cranes, metallurgical use overhead travelling bridge cranes, general use bridge cranes, and general use gantry cranes, among others.

Crane cabin

Crane oeprator cab

Overhead crane cabin

Crane cabs Configurations

The right crane cab for your overhead traveling cranes and gantry cranes will help improve the performance of the cab-operated cranes. Cabin crane control and crane operator's cabs are typically offered in three different configurations:

A fixed crane cabin is one of the most commonly used crane cabins, and it is situated beneath the walkway beneath the crane main girder. An autonomously traveling crane cab is one that runs on the track beneath the walkway along the main girder. The independent travelling crane cab provides the crane operator with the best possible optical line of sight at all times.

The crane cabs that move with the trolley and are always in front of the cargo are referred to as trolley crane cabs.The parts and components of Standard crane cab including:A ceiling lamp, safety rails and grilles (footrest), outlets and plugs, and a door locker are all included in the package.A rubber floor mat for insulation; an oscillating fan; a clothes-hook;

Optional:

• Air Conditioner
• Crane Operator Console
• Windshield wiper & washer;
• Roller blinds;
• Alarm; fire-extinguisher;
• Spare sockets/outlet;
• Door limit switch,
• Pedal-controller; -
• Other on request

Advantages of crane cab

Cabin crane control increase crane operator safety while also allowing the crane driver to monitor the operating status of the cab-operated crane, hook, and loads in real time. The following are the general benefits of crane cabs:

• Ergonomic design is a term that refers to the design of a product that is
• Safety gadget that can be relied on
• Broad view, pleasant working environment; high-quality, advanced welding and construction process; long-lasting, attractive exterior

Our overhead crane cabins and gantry crane cabins give a good vision and pleasant operation environment, are equipped with reliable safety protection devices, are processed with advanced technology, and have a beautiful look, all based on ergonomic and safety principles. Processed overhead crane cabins and gantry crane cabins are available to fulfill the needs of specific industrial crane applications, ensuring a comfortable working environment for crane operators and crane operations.

Contact us today to speak with a crane specialist about pricing a new overhead crane system or upgrading or modernizing the controls on your existing overhead crane system.

Article by Bella ，who has been in the hoist and crane field since 2016. Bella provides overhead crane & gantry crane consultation services for clients who need a customized overhead travelling crane solution.Contact her to get free consultation.