Getting the balance right
Bas Tolhuizen, E‑Crane, Belgium, explains how equilibrium-balanced cranes offer particular benefits for the bulk materials handling industry.
E-Crane developed the first equilibrium‑balanced cranes 25 years ago. The design is based on an innovative parallelogram‑style boom that provides a direct mechanical connection between the counterweight and the load. This four‑bar mechanism system ensures that the crane remains in balance throughout its working range.
Compared to conventional cranes, which require as much as 80% of their available energy just to move...