| Load Capacity | Core Specification Confirm the safe working load required for the application. Common industrial bridge crane configurations range from light-duty loads below 5 metric tonnes to heavy-duty systems exceeding 100 metric tonnes. | Rated-load data sheet, load chart, design calculations, and a clearly stated safe working load. The rated load should not be confused with proof-test or overload-test capacity. | Incorrect capacity selection can create safety risks, excessive structural cost, or insufficient lifting performance. | Provide maximum load, normal load, load shape, lifting points, and any future capacity increase before requesting a quotation. |
| Span and Runway Compatibility | Span, runway length, hook height, end approach, and available headroom must match the existing building. The runway and supporting structure must be checked for crane wheel loads and horizontal forces. | General arrangement drawing, wheel-load calculations, end-carriage dimensions, minimum hook approach, and building interface requirements. | A crane can meet the lifting requirement but still be unsuitable if it cannot fit the building or reach the required working area. | Supply accurate bay drawings, column spacing, roof height, rail dimensions, and obstruction information. |
| Duty Classification | Duty should be based on average daily operating hours, number of lifting cycles, load spectrum, and the percentage of maximum loads. FEM/ISO classification systems and CMAA classifications are commonly used references. | Classification calculation, design-life assumptions, operating-cycle estimate, and stated design standard. The selected class should reflect actual use rather than only the maximum load. | A crane designed for occasional maintenance work is not equivalent to one used continuously in manufacturing or logistics operations. | Document shifts per day, lifts per hour, average lifted load, peak load frequency, and expected service life. |
| Applicable Design Standards | Relevant standards may include EN 15011 for bridge and gantry cranes, ASME B30.2 for overhead and gantry cranes, ISO 4301 for classification, and local legal requirements. | Standard list, compliance matrix, risk assessment, technical file, and certificates issued by competent or accredited bodies where certification is required. | Standards affect design margins, safety devices, testing, documentation, installation, and acceptance procedures. | Specify the destination country, industry regulations, electrical requirements, and the standard hierarchy that will govern the project. |
| Hoist and Lifting Speed | Speed should be selected according to load type, positioning accuracy, duty class, and safety requirements. Variable-frequency drives can provide controlled acceleration and deceleration. | Speed table for lifting, cross travel, and long travel; acceleration and braking data; motor ratings; and control-system description. | Excessive speed may reduce positioning accuracy, while insufficient speed can lower productivity. | Define required cycle time, positioning tolerance, fragile-load requirements, and whether dual-speed or variable-speed control is needed. |
| Safety and Protection Systems | Typical systems include upper and lower hoist limit switches, emergency stop, overload protection, travel limit switches, buffers, audible or visual alarms, and anti-collision protection where applicable. | Safety circuit diagram, risk assessment, functional-test records, protection-device list, and operating instructions. | Safety equipment must be integrated into the control system and suited to the operating environment, not added as an afterthought. | Request a safety-function schedule and require each safety device to be tested during commissioning. |
| Electrical Compatibility | Verify supply voltage, frequency, phase configuration, control voltage, grounding method, cable routing, and enclosure protection. Common industrial supplies vary by country, so confirmation is essential. | Electrical schematic, motor data, control-panel specification, protection rating, short-circuit data, and applicable conformity documentation. | Electrical incompatibility can cause commissioning delays, component failure, or non-compliance with local regulations. | Confirm the site power supply and environmental conditions before equipment selection and factory testing. |
| Environmental Suitability | Consider indoor or outdoor installation, temperature range, humidity, dust, corrosive substances, wind, rain, hazardous areas, and altitude. Outdoor cranes may require weather protection and wind-park systems. | Environmental rating, material and coating specification, enclosure rating, temperature limits, corrosion-protection system, and hazardous-area certification if applicable. | Environmental conditions directly affect insulation, lubrication, corrosion resistance, control reliability, and service life. | Provide minimum and maximum temperatures, humidity, airborne contaminants, wind conditions, and any explosive-atmosphere classification. |
| Manufacturing Quality System | A documented quality management system, traceable material control, welding procedures, dimensional inspection, and controlled assembly processes are important indicators of production consistency. | Current quality certificates, inspection and test plans, welding procedure qualifications, welder qualifications, material certificates, and nonconformance records. | Quality-system evidence is more reliable than marketing claims when comparing suppliers across different countries. | Verify certificate scope and validity, request a quality plan, and include hold points for critical inspections in the purchase contract. |
| Testing and Factory Acceptance | Testing commonly includes visual inspection, dimensional checks, no-load operation, limit-switch verification, brake testing, electrical testing, and load testing according to the agreed standard and local rules. | Factory acceptance test procedure, inspection checklist, calibration records, test reports, photographs, and signed acceptance documentation. | Structured testing reduces the risk of discovering design or assembly problems after delivery and installation. | Agree in advance on test scope, witness rights, acceptance criteria, and the process for correcting nonconformities. |
| Installation and Commissioning | Installation may require certified lifting personnel, temporary works, alignment checks, rail inspection, electrical connection, functional tests, and operator training. | Installation method statement, commissioning procedure, personnel qualifications, alignment report, test certificates, and training records. | Correct installation is essential because poor alignment and incorrect adjustment can increase wheel loads, noise, wear, and maintenance costs. | Clarify whether installation is supplier-led, locally subcontracted, or buyer-managed, and define responsibility for site preparation. |
| Maintenance and Spare Parts | Evaluate inspection intervals, lubrication points, brake and wheel service requirements, expected replacement parts, and the availability of standard electrical components. | Maintenance manual, spare-parts list, recommended service schedule, component part numbers, troubleshooting guide, and warranty terms. | Parts availability and technical support have a direct effect on downtime and total cost of ownership. | Request a recommended two-year critical-spares package and confirm local or regional service coverage. |
| Warranty and After-Sales Support | Compare warranty duration, response time, remote support, field-service capability, training, and the treatment of consumable or wear components. | Written warranty policy, service-level agreement, escalation contacts, service-network information, and examples of response procedures. | The lowest purchase price may not represent the lowest lifecycle cost if service response is slow or warranty exclusions are broad. | Include response times, spare-parts lead times, technical-support obligations, and remedy procedures in the contract. |
| Delivery Scope and Incoterms | Confirm whether the quotation includes the crane, runway beams, rails, festoon or conductor system, controls, installation tools, testing, training, packing, transport, and customs documentation. | Itemized commercial offer, scope-of-supply matrix, delivery schedule, packing specification, Incoterms 2020 reference, and export documents. | Comparing incomplete quotations can create unexpected costs and disputes during installation or import. | Use a common technical and commercial checklist so every supplier quotes the same scope. |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Assess purchase price together with installation, energy use, inspection, lubrication, spare parts, operator training, planned maintenance, downtime, and eventual refurbishment. | Lifecycle cost estimate, motor-efficiency data, maintenance intervals, energy assumptions, spare-parts pricing, and warranty-cost exclusions. | Operating and maintenance costs can exceed the initial equipment price over the crane's service life. | Compare suppliers using the same service-life assumptions and require transparent pricing for major replacement components. |
| Supplier References and Financial Stability | Relevant references should involve similar capacity, duty class, environment, industry, and destination-country requirements. Supplier continuity is also important for long-term support. | Verifiable project references, customer contacts where permitted, production-capacity information, audited business details, and evidence of ongoing technical support. | Similar completed projects provide stronger evidence than generic sales claims or unrelated equipment references. | Contact at least two comparable users and verify performance, delivery reliability, documentation quality, and after-sales service. |
| Contract and Acceptance Criteria | The contract should define technical specifications, standards, drawings, tolerances, delivery milestones, inspection rights, performance tests, training, warranty, and remedies. | Signed technical annex, approved drawings, inspection and test plan, performance-guarantee schedule, change-control procedure, and final documentation index. | Clear acceptance criteria reduce ambiguity and provide an objective basis for payment and final handover. | Link milestone payments to approved documents, successful tests, delivery, commissioning, and complete handover documentation. |