At present, straight arm crane and folding arm crane are the two most common types of crane arms in the market. So, what are the advantages and disadvantages of these two types of cranes? How should we make a choice?

1. The working efficiency of the folding boom crane is significantly higher.

It adopts a crane arm connection mechanism composed of multiple hydraulic cylinders, similar to a robotic arm, which makes the action faster and improves work efficiency. In contrast, the straight arm crane adopts a steel wire rope retractable lifting mechanism, which has relatively lower work efficiency.

2. The working radius of the straight boom crane is wider.

Under the same arm length conditions, a straight arm crane can increase its working depth by placing long wire hooks, while a folding arm crane is difficult to meet the deeper working requirements.

3. Folding arms are more suitable for narrow working environments.

Its unique structure allows it to easily operate large objects in small spaces, making it very suitable for small places such as factory warehouses. Due to its structural characteristics, the straight arm requires a relatively large workspace.

4. The straight arm truck mounted crane is more outstanding in controlling the vertical takeoff and landing of suspended objects.

The steel wire rope lifting mechanism used can accurately control the lifting and lowering of the lifted object, while the folding arm crane is difficult to achieve this due to the use of hydraulic cylinders.

5. The folding arm crane also has the ability to install various auxiliary equipment.

Its hydraulic cylinder equipment is similar to a robotic arm, which can be equipped with various auxiliary tools such as an empty work platform, work bucket, fixture, and hanging basket, greatly enhancing its working ability. In contrast, due to the soft steel wire rope at the front end, there are few cases of adding auxiliary equipment to the straight arm trailer crane.

6. The operation of a straight arm crane is relatively simpler.

The lifting mechanism for winding and retracting steel wires on its drum makes the operation more intuitive and convenient. The folding arm crane, on the other hand, requires the operation of multiple hydraulic cylinders to complete complex movements, making it relatively difficult to operate.

7. In terms of vehicle space occupation, the folding arm crane also has significant advantages.

Its compact structure makes the entire vehicle occupy less space, making it more suitable for vehicle configurations with limited space.

Advantages of chassis device for straight arm crane

The design of the straight arm crane allows for effective dispersion of the entire vehicle load, with its center of gravity located away from the device area. This is particularly important when lifting heavy objects, as it helps to evenly distribute the chassis axle load.

In contrast, the use of folding arm mounted cranes, regardless of whether their layout is centered or rear mounted, due to their relatively concentrated structure, the center of gravity is easily concentrated on a certain axis of the chassis, which may cause a certain bridge to bear a large load, which is not conducive to the smooth installation of the entire vehicle.

Cost considerations for foldable arm crane

The structure of the folding arm crane is relatively complex and requires higher manufacturing accuracy, so the overall cost and quotation are also relatively high. The structure of the straight arm truck mounted crane is relatively simple, with lower requirements for manufacturing accuracy and correspondingly lower overall costs.

In summary, customers can compare the advantages and disadvantages of articulated arm gantry cranes and straight arm gantry cranes based on the above nine points when purchasing gantry cranes. Whether it is a warehouse factory with a small workspace or a situation that requires special operations, the folding arm truck crane can meet the needs, and its ability to install auxiliary equipment is greatly enhanced. When performing simple vertical lifting operations in an open work environment, a straight arm crane is more suitable. The final choice should be based on the individual's work environment and needs.