Overhead cranes
Tailored lifting solutions for industrial safety
Efficiency and safety form the backbone of any industrial environment. At Mennens, we understand that an overhead crane is more than just steel and engineering; it is the guarantee that your production process continues uninterrupted. As the market leader in the Benelux, we offer high-performance overhead cranes designed not only to simplify your lifting and transport tasks but to fundamentally improve them.
What is an overhead crane?
An overhead crane (often referred to in the industry as a bridge crane, traveling crane, or indoor crane) is a lifting mechanism located in the superstructure of your workspace. The system moves along a crane runway structure, allowing you to move loads safely and in a controlled manner across the length, width, and height of the workshop.
Unlike floor-bound transport, an overhead crane utilizes the "dead" space in the roof of the facility, keeping your floor area free for production and storage.
Why choose a Mennens overhead crane?
Buying from Mennens means choosing certainty. We are not a "box mover," but a technical partner that thinks along with you regarding the entire lifecycle of your installation.
- Brand-independent advice: We are not tied to a single manufacturer for crane parts. This means we select the crane components (wheel blocks, hoists, drives, controls) that perform best for your specific situation.
- Safety & Certification: Every crane is delivered in compliance with the Machinery Directive and carries the CE mark. As an EKH-recognized company, we also handle the mandatory inspections before commissioning.
- 24/7 Service & Maintenance: Downtime costs money. Our nationwide service team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to resolve malfunctions and perform preventive maintenance.
- Fully Customized: From the engineering of the overhead crane, crane runway construction, and other lifting equipment to the choice of radio remote control, modern speed systems for stepless crane movements, or a stability system—your process dictates the design.
Expert Tip: Doubting the condition of your current crane runway? A poorly aligned runway causes excessive wear. Mennens performs advanced crane runway measurements to detect problems early.
From traveling crane to crane runway: our technical capabilities
An overhead crane consists of complex technology. From the wheel blocks and drives to the wire rope hoist and power supply: every part must be perfectly tuned to the others. View an overview of the crucial parts of an overhead crane here.
In addition to the crane itself, Mennens handles all peripheral matters:
- Crane runways and rails
The foundation of every well-functioning overhead crane is the runway. We design, supply, and assemble the rail systems, including the necessary support structures. You have also come to the right place for the renovation of existing runways. - Lifting components and hoists
We equip our electrically driven cranes with frequency inverters (VFDs) for crane travel and trolley travel as standard. Depending on your requirements, we equip the crane with chain hoists (for lighter loads) or wire rope hoists (for heavy loads and high speeds). Options such as VFDs for hoisting, tandem operation (two cranes simultaneously), modern speed and stability systems, and load readouts on the remote control are all possible. - Inspection, testing, and maintenance
Legally, in addition to user inspections, an overhead crane must be fully mechanically inspected and dynamically tested at least once a year. These inspections and tests must also be registered. Mennens is EKH-certified and takes this entire burden off your hands. We manage your certificates in our online portal so that you always have immediate insight into the status of your lifting equipment—for example, during an audit.
Mennens in practice: proven quality
From complex new construction projects to large-scale modernizations at multinationals: Mennens delivers lifting solutions that work. See how we solved these challenges for our customers:
- Large-scale projects: For the NS (Dutch Railways) train modernization in Haarlem, we delivered no fewer than 11 overhead cranes—a complex logistical project where timing was crucial.
- Capacity expansion: See how we installed three new overhead cranes on-site in Dongen to increase efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions about overhead cranes (FAQ)
What is the difference between an overhead crane and a suspension crane?
An overhead crane rides on rails that rest on a structure or consoles. A suspension crane (or underslung crane) hangs under the rails, which are often attached to the roof structure. Suspension cranes are ideal when floor space is limited and you cannot place columns.
How often must an overhead crane be inspected?
According to Art. 7.20/6 of the Working Conditions Decree (Arbobesluit) and the EKH guidelines, an overhead crane must be fully mechanically inspected and tested with a test load of 110% by an expert at least once a year. In addition, a test with a test load of 125% of the working load (WLL) is mandatory upon commissioning or after major repairs.
What does an overhead crane cost?
The price depends heavily on the capacity (WLL), the span, and the desired or required options (such as radio control). Because it almost always involves custom work, we are happy to prepare a no-obligation quote based on your specific situation.
What is the maximum span of a single-girder crane?
Although this can vary technically, for spans greater than 19 meters, we often advise a double-girder crane. For larger spans up to approx. 30 meters, we recommend a specific box-profile girder to minimize deflection and guarantee stability.
Does Mennens also supply the power supply?
Naturally. We supply and install the complete power supply system, ranging from conductor bars (safe and neatly concealed) to drag chains or festoon systems, depending on the environment and the length of the track.
Are your cranes suitable for outdoor installation?
Yes, we supply cranes with special coatings, rain covers for the hoists, and heating elements in the motors and control cabinets to prevent condensation.
What is the benefit of a frequency inverter on an overhead crane?
A frequency inverter (VFD) ensures stepless driving and/or hoisting and prevents shocks when starting and stopping. This reduces load swing and enables precise positioning of the load. The frequency inverter also significantly eliminates wear on the brakes and motor and makes the overhead crane more energy-efficient. We therefore equip our cranes as standard with frequency inverters for crane travel (forward and backward) and trolley travel (left and right). Frequency inverters for hoisting movements (up and down) are optional.
Ready to optimize your lifting capacity?
An overhead crane is a long-term investment. Choose the quality, safety, and service of Mennens. Our experts are happy to visit you to assess the situation on-site and provide tailored advice.
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