Used Cranes & Hoists
Cranes and hoists are material handling equipment used to lift, lower, and transport heavy loads in manufacturing, processing, and warehouse environments. Hoists provide vertical lifting through chain, wire rope, or strap mechanisms, while cranes combine hoisting with horizontal movement across a defined work area. Both are critical for safely positioning heavy equipment, vessels, drums, and process components during installation, maintenance, and production operations.
Federal Equipment Company stocks a range of used cranes and hoists from established manufacturers, including David Round and Sons, Yale, Vulcan Hoist, Harrington, and others. Available configurations include electric chain hoists, wire rope hoists, strap hoists, jib cranes, overhead bridge cranes, and mobile rough-terrain cranes, with lifting capacities ranging from 125 lbs to 60 tons.
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Cranes and hoists serve as the backbone of material handling in industrial facilities where heavy components must be moved safely and precisely. Hoists use a drum or lift wheel and a chain, wire rope, or lifting strap to raise and lower loads vertically. Electric hoists are the most common configuration in manufacturing environments, using motors typically ranging from 0.5 to 2 HP to drive the lifting mechanism. Pneumatic hoists offer spark-free operation for hazardous environments, while manual hoists provide a cost-effective option for lighter or less frequent lifting tasks.
Cranes extend the functionality of hoists by adding horizontal travel. Jib cranes mount to a floor or wall and rotate to cover a defined arc, making them well-suited for workstation-level material handling. Overhead bridge cranes span the width of a bay and travel along elevated runways, providing full coverage of a work area for heavy lifts. Mobile rough terrain cranes offer self-propelled lifting capability for outdoor yard operations and equipment installation.
In pharmaceutical and chemical processing, stainless steel and explosion-proof hoists are essential for maintaining cleanroom standards and for safe operation in classified areas. These units feature corrosion-resistant construction and sealed electrical components rated for hazardous environments. Federal Equipment Company carries hoists and cranes from leading manufacturers in both standard industrial and sanitary configurations, with capacities from fractional-ton units for lab and cleanroom use up to multi-ton systems for heavy process equipment. All equipment is available for inspection, and Federal Equipment Company can coordinate rigging and transport services.
Applications & Industries
- Positioning reactors, tanks, and vessels during installation and maintenance in pharmaceutical and chemical plants
- Lifting drums, totes, and IBCs in food and beverage processing facilities
- Moving heavy dies, molds, and tooling in plastics extrusion and molding operations
- Loading and unloading equipment from trucks and railcars in warehouse and distribution areas
- Supporting cleanroom material handling in biotechnology and aseptic processing facilities with stainless steel and explosion-proof hoists
- Servicing large process equipment such as centrifuges, dryers, and heat exchangers during scheduled maintenance shutdowns
- Yard operations and outdoor equipment installation using mobile rough terrain cranes
Specifications & Configurations
- Lifting capacity: 125 lbs to 60 tons, depending on type and configuration
- Hoist types: Electric chain hoists, wire rope hoists, strap hoists, cable hoists, manual chain hoists
- Crane types: Jib cranes (floor-mounted and wall-mounted), overhead bridge cranes (single and double beam), freestanding bridge cranes, mobile rough terrain cranes
- Drive options: Electric (230/460/575 volt, 3-phase), pneumatic, manual, hydraulic/diesel (mobile cranes)
- Lift speed: Ranges from 15 ft/min on standard hoists up to variable-speed configurations for precision positioning
- Materials of construction: Carbon steel (standard industrial), stainless steel (pharmaceutical, food, and chemical applications)
- Special features: Explosion-proof designs, pendant controls, rail-mounted trolley systems, adjustable beam runways
- Beam and runway configurations: Stainless steel beams from 13 to 18 ft with dedicated runways for cleanroom and process area installations
Why Buy Used Cranes & Hoists
Cranes and hoists are durable, mechanically straightforward equipment with long service lives when properly maintained. Purchasing used units can reduce acquisition costs by 40–60% compared to new equipment, with minimal compromise on performance or safety. Hoists in particular retain their rated capacity throughout their service life as long as load chains, ropes, and braking systems are in proper condition.
Used overhead bridge cranes and jib cranes can often be adapted to existing building structures, reducing installation costs and lead times compared to ordering new custom-span systems. For pharmaceutical and chemical facilities, used stainless steel and explosion-proof hoists from established manufacturers offer the same material compatibility and hazardous-area ratings as new units at a fraction of the cost.
Federal Equipment Company can arrange inspection and load testing for cranes and hoists prior to shipment. Rigging, disassembly, and transport coordination are also available to support installation at your facility.
