How Jibs Help Lift Cranes

February 3, 2024

Lift crane are large, powerful machines that can lift heavy loads. They work like levers, with their long arms (booms) as the fulcrum and the load they are lifting as the resistance force and the engine providing the effort force. Because the fulcrum and resistance force are farther apart than the engine and effort force, cranes must apply more force over a shorter distance to move the load. That’s why cranes must be built on-site to allow for varying counterweights and different configurations for each lift.

A crane’s main load line can only support a certain amount of weight, so to increase the lifting capacity of a crane, operators use a jib to add length to the boom. Jibs come in two fundamental types: boom extensions and luffing jibs. Both types of jibs extend the boom to reach higher or farther away than the crane’s maximum rated capacity, but each requires its own set of rigging to attach and support the load.

Understanding Lift Cranes: Types, Uses, and Benefits

To keep a load stable while being lifted, cranes must have a strong hook that can withstand the forces of gravity. But hooks aren’t the only essential component to a crane’s ability to lift heavy objects: The wire ropes that give cranes their strength also play an important role. These aren’t just ordinary cables; they’re steel wires twisted into the shape of helixes and then braided together into very strong ropes. A crane’s hook, jib, and other rigging equipment must have third-party certificates with valid dates and meet the crane’s safe working load (SWL).