Are you considering purchasing a jib crane?
Here you can read about the considerations you should make first.
10 important things to consider before buying a crane
Is your company planning to buy a new crane?
Purchasing a crane can be a major investment. The right crane can improve the work environment, increase efficiency and job satisfaction, and make heavy lifting safer and easier every day. But choosing the wrong crane solution can lead to limitations, extra costs, reduced job satisfaction, or operational downtime later.
That’s why you shouldn’t consider only price when choosing a crane; you should also consider its intended use, capacity, and potential to optimize for future needs, the building’s conditions and characteristics, installation, regulations, and maintenance.
Here are 10 important things you should consider before investing in a new crane for your business, industrial facility, warehouse, workshop, or production facility — and CERTEX Danmark A/S is ready to assist you with advice and the right expertise throughout the entire process.
- What will the crane be used for?
- How much lifting capacity does the crane need?
- How large an area does the crane need to cover?
- Which crane type is right for the task?
- Should the crane be mounted on the floor, wall, columns, or a crane runway?
- What are the building requirements?
- Who will operate the crane?
- What rules and inspections apply to cranes?
- What does a crane cost over time?
- Why choose a full-service crane supplier?
1. What will the crane be used for?
The first question is what, specifically, the crane will be lifting — and how often. An industrial crane can serve a wide variety of functions depending on the work area. Will it be used for lifting in production, for internal transport in the warehouse, for assembly in a workshop, for service work, or for handling components in a confined area?
Typical applications include:
- Repeated lifting of workpieces on production lines
- Handling materials in a warehouse
- Assembly and joining of machine parts
- Service and maintenance tasks
- Lifting at packing stations or workbenches • Moving heavy components between work zones The clearer the purpose, the easier it is to choose the right crane type, capacity, reach, and control system.
2. How much lifting capacity does the crane need?
The crane’s lifting capacity is one of the most important factors to consider. Consider both the items you lift today and the company's future needs.
The crane’s capacity is typically specified as WLL—that is, the maximum safe working load. Don’t select a crane with too low a lifting capacity, as this can limit its use and increase the risk of overloading.
When assessing lifting capacity, you should consider, among other things:
- How much do the heaviest loads weigh?
- Will lifting slings, chains, straps, or other lifting equipment be used?
- Could the load weight change in the future?
- How often will the crane need to lift near its maximum capacity?
- Is an additional safety margin required?
It may be tempting to choose a smaller crane to reduce the investment, but if the capacity is too low, the solution can quickly become more expensive in the long run.
3. How large an area does the crane need to cover?
A crane must not only lift the correct weight; it must also cover the relevant work area.
Therefore, you should consider the following;:
- Span
- Reach
- Travel distance
- Lifting height
- Rotation
- Working radius
- Location of workstations
- Access conditions and any obstacles
An overhead crane, jib crane, light crane, or gantry crane meets different needs. The choice depends, among other things, on whether the lifting will take place at a fixed workstation, along a production line, or in a larger area.
A good crane solution must fit the workflow—not the other way around!
4. Which crane type is right for the task?
There are many crane types to choose from, and choosing the right one from the start matters because it affects safety, economy, and efficiency throughout the crane's lifetime.
The most important reasons are:
- Operating economy: An incorrectly selected crane can result in unnecessarily high costs for energy, maintenance, conversion or replacement
- Efficient workflow: The right solution can reduce waiting times, improve workflow and make work easier for operators
- Future needs: If the crane is chosen with development in production in mind, you avoid quickly outgrowing the solution
- Legal requirements and standards: The crane must meet applicable requirements for the working environment, documentation and inspection.
In short: A correct choice from the start minimizes the risk of errors, additional costs and downtime - and provides a safer and more efficient lifting solution.
If you need help, contact our crane department; we will be happy to help.
5. Should the crane be mounted on the floor, wall, columns, or a crane runway?
Installation conditions significantly affect function, cost, and design.
For example, a crane can be mounted as:
- Floor-mounted jib crane
- Wall-mounted jib crane
- Crane on existing columns
- Overhead crane on a crane runway
- Light crane system suspended within the building
- Freestanding crane system
The best solution depends on the building’s structure, loads, space constraints, and the desired working area. If permanent installation isn’t possible, a portable crane may be a viable option.
At CERTEX Danmark A/S, we can help assess installation conditions and provide design, engineering, and installation to ensure the crane is tailored to both the task and the building.
6. What are the building requirements?
The nature of the building is a crucial part of any crane solution. It is not enough to choose a crane with the right capacity—the structure must also withstand the forces that arise during use.
Therefore, factors such as these must be evaluated:
- Load-bearing capacity of the floor, walls, columns, or roof structure
- Clearance height and lifting height
- Deformations and movements in the structure
- Loads from the crane, hoist, and lifted load
- Dynamic forces caused by acceleration, braking, and repeated lifting
- Any requirements for crane runways and steel structures
For larger or more complex solutions, you may need to include calculations, documentation, and assessments in accordance with relevant standards, for example regarding crane runways, Eurocode, and metal fatigue.
This is especially important if you plan to integrate the crane into an existing building.
7. Who will operate the crane?
A crane must not only suit the load—it must also suit the user. Consider the work environment, ergonomics, and safety from the outset. This includes location, controls, access conditions, and employee training.
Among other things, you should consider:
- Who will operate the crane?
- How often will the crane be used?
- Should radio control or pendant control be used?
- Is stepless control required?
- Should a single person be able to operate the lift?
- Are there any specific safety risks in the area?
- How can you avoid uneven lifting and improper work postures?
The right solution can reduce manual lifting, lessen employee strain, and make the work faster and safer.
8. What rules and inspections apply to cranes?
Cranes must be set up, operated, and maintained correctly. As a business, you must ensure the crane is suitable for the task, the documentation is in order, and inspections are performed in accordance with applicable requirements.
In general, you should be aware of the following:
- The crane must be properly set up and installed
- Users must be trained in safe operation
- Inspections and maintenance must be performed on an ongoing basis
- Documentation must be available upon request
- Certain cranes may be subject to special requirements, including, for example, a 10-year inspection
- A service agreement can help ensure operational reliability, safety, and compliance with requirements
The Danish Working Environment Authority is the central authority in Denmark regarding occupational safety, technical aids, and regulations for the use of cranes. Therefore, base your approach on current requirements and ensure the supplier, installation, and documentation are in order.
9. What does a crane cost over time?
When purchasing a crane, don't focus solely on the purchase price. It is at least as important to consider the total costs over the crane’s service life—also known as the total cost of ownership.
You should factor in the following:
- Service
- Mandatory and recommended crane inspections
- Spare parts
- Crane repairs
- Risk of downtime
- Energy consumption
- Service life
- Possibility of expansion or retrofitting
- Availability of spare parts and technical support
A cheap solution can end up costing more if it causes operational downtime, requires frequent repairs, or can't adapt to future needs.
Conversely, a well-designed crane solution can provide high operational reliability, a better work environment, and lower costs over time.
10. Why choose a full-service crane supplier?
When investing in a new crane, it’s best to choose a supplier who can support the entire process—from needs assessment to final installation and ongoing service.
At CERTEX Danmark A/S, we can assist with:
- Consulting on crane type selection
- Assessment of capacity and working area
- Design and technical clarification
- Delivery of crane, hoist, and equipment
- Assembly and installation
- Documentation
- Service and crane inspections
- Lifting gear and crane accessories
- Support for future modifications or expansions
This ensures a safer process, fewer interfaces, and a solution tailored to the task, the building, and the users.
Are you planning to buy a new crane? Get a professional assessment first
Buying a crane involves more than just capacity and price. The right solution must suit your lifting tasks, work area, building, safety requirements, and future needs.
At CERTEX Danmark A/S, we help clarify your needs, requirements, installation conditions, and the right solution - whether you need a simple jib crane, a workshop crane, an industrial crane, or a larger custom solution for a major project.
Contact us before you invest in a new crane - we’ll help guide you safely through the process.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Buying a Crane
Know your lifting requirements, maximum weight, work area, the building’s load-bearing capacity, installation conditions, operating requirements, and regulations for inspections and documentation.
The price depends on capacity, span, lifting height, hoist, control system, installation, and documentation. Therefore, assess the price based on the specific task.
It depends on how you'll use the crane. A jib crane may suit a fixed workstation, while an overhead or light-rail crane may be better for larger work areas.
Yes. Cranes must be maintained and inspected to ensure they are safe to use. Documentation and periodic inspection requirements may also depend on the crane type and application.
Yes. CERTEX can assist with consulting, design, delivery, crane installation, inspections, service, and documentation.
The crane types we offer
We offer cranes with functions and features that cover every lifting need for companies and ports.
Statutory crane service
We offer statutory crane service on all crane types.
