Deck Crane

Our factory
Ifima Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.(YFM) was established as an agent subsidiary of Jiangsu YFM group company focuses on expanding oversea market of the crane business. The factory covers an area of 18,000 square meters, with a scientific management team, advanced production equipment, exquisite technology, professional testing and inspecting equipment, as well as completed management system.

Our product
The company's main products are Marine cranes, port cranes, bulk cargo handling grab, and related customized steel structure products.

Our service
There is a skilled sales and R&D team focuses on providing solution-based services pre and after sale to our clients. In order to extend the service life of equipment, Our dedicated team will provide regular maintenance and repair service for your crane , this service is not limited to our products.

Our certificate
As a design and production enterprise of Marine and port equipment , it has been certified by Chinese CCS, American ABS, French BV, Norwegian DNV, British LR, Korean KR, Japanese NK, Russian RS and other classification societies.

A deck crane is more than just a truck with a lifting boom. These machines have specialized components that enable them to transport and lift materials efficiently around job sites. Here are the elements that make deck cranes stand out:

Self-loading carry decks
A defining feature of deck cranes is their self-loading carry decks. Unlike simple transport vehicles, these cranes can load and unload materials onto their decks autonomously. This self-loading capability is crucial for job site efficiency, as it allows the crane to place cargo onto its deck and remove it at different locations without requiring additional equipment or personnel.

Fully hydraulic controls
Deck cranes are equipped with fully hydraulic controls, which provide the operator with precise control over lifting and movement operations. Designed for single-person operation, these hydraulic systems enable pinpoint accuracy in positioning loads. This level of control is essential for safely maneuvering materials in tight or crowded job sites where precision is key.

Outriggers for stability
Outriggers are an essential component of deck cranes, ensuring stability during lifting operations. While rubber wheels offer excellent mobility, they are not sufficient for maintaining balance when the crane is lifting heavy objects. Outriggers extend from the crane to provide a stable base, allowing the machine to handle heavier loads with confidence. This added stability is crucial for maintaining safety and efficiency on the job site.

Load capacity
The load capacity of deck cranes varies by model and specific application. These cranes are designed to handle a wide range of lifting tasks, but it’s important to consult the load charts specific to each model to understand their capacity limits. Generally, deck cranes have a significant lifting capacity, although the transport capacity on the deck may be lower due to the weight resting entirely on the wheels.

Integrated counterweights
Counterweights are built into deck cranes to help to ensure stability and balance during lifting and pivoting operations. Unlike other types of cranes that require manual setup of counterweights, deck cranes have these counterweights integrated into the design. This feature simplifies setup and enhances safety, making the crane more efficient to operate.

Weight and compact design
The weight of a deck crane depends on its size and load capacity. These cranes typically weigh between 3 to 30 tons, depending on the model. Despite their relatively compact size, deck cranes can lift more than cranes of similar weights, thanks to their robust design and integrated counterweights. Their compact design also allows them to maneuver and operate in confined spaces, making them ideal for urban construction sites or areas with limited access. Deck cranes incorporate these specialized components to deliver a versatile, efficient, and reliable lifting solution, making them an invaluable asset for various job site applications.

Computer-based cargo spotting systems enable even relatively unskilled operators to cope with the pendulum effects and centrifugal forces. They also help in keeping containers or other cargo units constantly aligned with a given axis, regardless of slewing motion and other external forces. Such electronic aids substantially improve productivity. Some owners report a doubling of the hourly container-handling rate. Other benefits include: reduced operator fatigue, improved safety and lower cargo and ship structure damage.

Cranes have replaced derricks on many modern ships. Generally they are considered as an alternative to the union purchase rig. Deck cranes have a number of advantages, the rigging time being negligible, and the crane is able to pick up and land permitted loads anywhere within its working radius. The safe working loads of cranes is generally of the order of 10 to 15 tonnes and larger cranes are available capable of lifts from 30 to 40 tonnes. As with the union purchase rig the crane is intended for rapid cargo loading and discharging duties with loads which only occasionally exceed, say, 3 tonnes. There is some controversy regarding the merits of cranes as opposed to the union purchase rig, but evidence is available to show that the crane is perhaps less efficient with very light loads.

Cranes may often be positioned on the ship’s centre line, but this may require an extremely long jib when the ship’s beam is large and a reasonable outreach is desired. Transverse positional cranes may then be fitted which, when not under load, can be moved port or starboard and secured to work the hatch and give the desired outreach. Alternatively fixed cranes, one at each end of the hatch, may be placed at opposite corners. This is an arrangement which is useful in discharging to port and starboard simultaneously. There is also a crane which is mounted on a hatch cover section capable of travelling under load along the hatch coaming in the longitudinal direction.

Deck cranes are available from specialist manufacturers and the shipbuilder would be responsible for installation, any local strengthening, and seatings. They are normally positioned between the holds, often on a platform which can be rotated through 360°, provides an immediately operational unit requiring only one man to operate it. Double gearing is a feature of most designs, providing a higher speed at lighter loads. Various types of crane exist for particular duties, for example a general duties crane using a hook and a grabbing crane for use with bulk cargoes.

Three separate drives provide the principal movements: a hoisting motor for lifting the load, a luffing motor for raising or lowering the jib, and a slewing motor for rotating the crane. The operator's cab is designed to provide clear views of all the cargo working area so that the crane operator can function alone. The crane is usually mounted on a pedestal to offer adequate visibility to the operator. For occasional heavy loads arrangements for two cranes to work together, i.e. twinning, can be made with a single operator using a master and slave control system in the two cranes. A common revolving platform will be necessary for this arrangement. The operating medium for deck crane motors may be hydraulic or electric, utilising circuits referred to earlier.

Winches and cranes fitted for lifting cargo on board is required to be of adequate strength and stability for each load, having regard in particular to the stress induced at its mounting or fixing points , securely anchored, adequately ballasted or counterbalanced and supported by outriggers as necessary to ensure its stability when lifting.

The drum end of wire runners or falls should be secured to winch barrels or crane drums by proper clamps or U-bolts. The runner or fall should be long enough to leave at least three turns on the barrel or drum at maximum normal extension. Slack turns of wire or rope on a barrel or drum should be avoided as they are likely to pull out suddenly under load.

When a winch is changed from single to double gear or vice versa, any load should first be released and the clutch should be secured so that it cannot become disengaged when the winch is working. Steam winches should be so maintained that the operator is not exposed to the risk of scalding by leaks of hot water and steam. Before a steam winch is operated, the cylinders and steam pipes should be cleared of water by opening the appropriate drain cocks.