Designed for the application
A practical buyer guide for gathering the capacity, span, lift height, hook coverage, runway, controls, and installation details needed for a better overhead crane quote.
A Crane Quote Needs More Than Capacity
A strong overhead crane quote starts with clear lift requirements, but capacity is only the beginning.
IMH uses span, lift height, duty cycle, hook coverage, runway conditions, controls, building information, and installation details to move from idea to buildable scope.
Quote Mistakes To Avoid
A crane with the right capacity can still be wrong if coverage, runway, or controls do not fit.
Existing steel, foundations, and clearances can change the crane approach.
Rigging access, shutdown windows, and electrical coordination can affect cost and schedule.
How To Speed Up The Quote Process
Mark the desired coverage area on a sketch or floor plan. Take photos of the bay, columns, ceiling steel, existing equipment, electrical area, and access doors.
If a project has a deadline, share it early because lead times, installation windows, building review, and power coordination can drive the schedule.
Crane Quote Checklist
Use this checklist before requesting pricing so IMH can respond with a more realistic path.
| Required detail | How to think about it |
|---|---|
| Maximum load weight | Include the heaviest load plus below-the-hook devices, fixtures, magnets, grabs, or lifting beams if applicable. |
| Span | Provide the center-to-center distance between runway rails when an existing runway is involved, plus the area the hook must reach. Confirm the proposed crane span, hook approach, and coverage during layout review. |
| Runway length | Identify the length of travel needed to reach required work zones. |
| Lift height | Define how high the hook must raise the load and what clearance is available. |
| Duty cycle | Estimate how often the crane will lift and whether it is production, maintenance, or high-cycle use. |
| Controls | Decide whether pendant, radio, two-speed, variable speed, or special control features are needed. |
| Electrification | Identify power source, conductor bar or festoon preference, disconnect locations, and bridge travel needs. |
| Building information | Provide drawings, bay dimensions, photos, column spacing, known structural limits, and runway details if they exist. |
Questions To Answer First
These questions help IMH understand the work behind the lift.
Make the first quote call more productive so the crane path is safer, faster, and more realistic.
- What is being lifted?: Shape, weight, center of gravity, and below-hook devices matter.
- Where does it travel?: Start point, end point, and hook coverage drive layout.
- How often is it used?: Duty cycle affects crane and hoist selection.
- What blocks the path?: Obstructions, equipment, utilities, and access constraints shape the solution.
Do Not Leave Support Steel Out Of The Quote
Support steel is often where a low-detail quote and a strong long-term system separate. A strong proposal clarifies whether the structure preserves access, minimizes unnecessary obstacles, installs cleanly, and can support future changes.
IMH reviews floor movement, equipment paths, access doors, maintenance zones, and future expansion before treating the support layout as settled. The structure is part of the system’s value, not just a line item under the crane or conveyor.
Crane Quote Guidance Buyers Can Use
Many crane buyers are handed product language before they know what information a strong quote actually requires.
IMH helps you gather the load, coverage, building, control and installation details needed for a useful crane proposal.
Better crane inputs create better crane conversations.
What is the first detail needed for a crane quote?
Maximum load is the starting point, but span, lift height, runway length, hook coverage, and building conditions are also needed.
What is duty cycle?
Duty cycle describes how often and how intensely the crane will be used.
Do I need building drawings?
They are helpful. Photos, measurements, and a field review can also help start the conversation.
Can IMH help decide between crane types?
Yes. IMH can help compare single-girder, double-girder, underhung, workstation, jib, gantry, and other approaches.
Can IMH quote without a site visit?
IMH may be able to start with photos and measurements, but final recommendations often require field verification.
Turn the questions into a useful brief.
Record what is known, keep open items visible, and bring the application to IMH.
Start guided selection