Off-the-shelf cranes might not be suitable in industries where unique lifting challenges are daily occurrences. Custom crane manufacturing offers tailored solutions to meet the specific requirements of these sectors. Whether it’s custom cranes for a confined worksite or high-capacity lifting for a specialised industry, a custom crane manufacturer like Bramley Engineering can design equipment that enhances both safety and efficiency.
In this blog, we will explain the benefits of custom cranes, highlight industries that benefit from these solutions, and discuss how bespoke cranes improve operations and optimise project workflows.
Why Choose a Bespoke Crane Manufacturer?
Standard cranes are built for generic use cases. They might be too big, too small, or not equipped to handle the exact needs of a particular operation. That’s where a bespoke crane manufacturer can help by working closely with clients to design equipment that precisely matches the operational, safety, and performance needs of their specific applications or projects.
Key Benefits of Custom Cranes Include:
- Tailored to Unique Requirements: Bespoke cranes are designed to handle specific tasks, ensuring they meet the business’s lifting and spatial needs.
- Improved Efficiency: Custom cranes are optimised for the job at hand, reducing downtime and increasing productivity by minimising unnecessary features or limitations.
- Enhanced Safety: A crane built specifically for its environment, task and load ensures better safety for operators and the overall worksite.
- Cost-Effective in the Long Run: While initial costs for a custom crane may be higher than standard models, long-term savings result from increased efficiency, the competitive, niche ability to take on more unusual projects, fewer repairs, and lower risks of accidents.
Industries That Often Require Custom Crane Manufacturing
While nearly any sector that involves lifting could benefit from a custom crane solution, certain industries rely heavily on bespoke cranes due to their specialised needs. Here are some industries that see the most value from custom manufacturing:
1. Construction and Infrastructure
During construction projects, especially large-scale infrastructure developments, cranes are needed to lift heavy materials, such as steel beams or prefabricated elements, in confined urban spaces or across complex terrains. Standard cranes might not have the reach, height, or load capacity required, whereas bespoke cranes are custom-designed to fit the specific project’s needs.
Examples of Custom Cranes in Construction:
- Temporary overhead travelling cranes – for shaft construction in confined spaces.
- Davit cranes – portable rotating cranes used for lifting objects onto rooftops.
Bramley Engineering offers tailored crane solutions and has created bespoke Fixed Overhead Gantry Cranes, including that for the Finsbury Park Station Upgrade (TFL Project). Our crane was used for major construction tasks within this project, such as digging lift shafts and enabling step-free access as part of national transport upgrades:
2. Rail
Rail operations utilise cranes to support maintenance, loading, and infrastructure projects. From lifting heavy rail components to positioning rolling stock, cranes play a crucial role in keeping rail networks running efficiently.
Examples of Custom Cranes in Marine Industries:
- Goliath Gantry Cranes – stationed over the train tracks, used to lift goods on and off trains.
- Standard overhead fixed gantries – used to lift bogeys and other components between, on, or off tracks for regular maintenance.
Bramley Engineering has delivered innovative lifting solutions for many rail operations, including Siemens Northampton & Lincoln Train Maintenance Shed where we enhanced efficiency in maintenance and freight handling, winning awards for these gantry crane designs:
3. Aerospace & Automotive Manufacturing
The aerospace industry requires cranes to lift delicate and often irregularly shaped components such as aircraft fuselages (aircraft bodies), wings, and engines. Bespoke crane solutions can be designed to move large aerospace parts without causing damage or misalignment, improving both safety and efficiency. In automotive plants, cranes can also be custom-designed to lift and position heavy car components, such as engines, with precision in a fast-paced production environment. In both cases, these components need precise handling, and there’s often no room for error.
Examples of Custom Cranes in Aerospace & Automotive:
- Travelling overhead cranes – these have fine-tuned control systems for precision handling of heavy loads over a wide lifting area.
- Articulated jib cranes – Ideal for precision manoeuvring of parts along production lines, ensuring accuracy in aerospace and automotive assembly.
Here is an example of an Articulated Jib Cranes designed and manufactured by us, and installed in the UK & Manila for an international manufacturing firm:
4. Utilities
Utilities such as water treatment plants, power stations, and waste management facilities rely on cranes to handle heavy equipment, conduct maintenance, and support infrastructure projects. Many of these operations involve lifting large pumps, transformers, or pipe sections in challenging environments, such as confined spaces or corrosive conditions.
Examples of Custom Cranes in Utilities:
- Fixed gantry cranes – ideal for handling water treatment machinery and large filtration units.
- Runway beams & monorails – affixed to structural steelwork above shafts to raise and lower loads down shafts or around confined areas quickly and safely.
Bramley Engineering provides tailored, unique crane solutions to support essential utility operations, from waste management to power generation, such as bespoke jib cranes and monorails
Here is an example of a fixed gantry crane we installed at a UK water treatment plant, to allow for the safe lifting of pumps and machinery in and out of operational areas:
Custom Cranes vs. Crane Hire: Which Is Better?
Many companies debate between investing in custom cranes or opting for crane hire to meet their temporary needs. While crane hire can be an efficient solution for short-term projects, there are clear advantages to custom cranes when it comes to long-term, specialised operations.
Advantages of Custom Cranes:
A custom crane manufacturer can design a crane that fits your exact specifications and long-term business goals, improving safety, and reducing future operational costs. Custom cranes are engineered for the unique demands of your industry, ensuring superior performance and compliance with industry standards and LOLER regulations.
When to Consider Crane Hire:
Crane hire is best suited for temporary projects, especially if you need a quick solution and can work with a standard crane model. However, if your business needs a long-term solution that optimises operations and minimises downtime, a custom crane from a trustworthy and accredited manufacturer is a worthwhile investment.
Custom Crane Features to Consider
When designing a custom crane, it’s essential to focus on specific features that align with your industry’s needs. Some key elements include:
- Lifting Capacity: Choose a capacity that matches the loads your crane will handle. Overestimating your needs can lead to unnecessary costs, while underestimating can compromise safety.
- Crane Type: Whether you need an overhead crane, gantry crane, or jib crane, the type will depend on your specific application and workspace constraints.
- Control System: Advanced control systems, such as remote or automated options, can improve safety and ease of use.
- Safety Features: Custom cranes can be equipped with enhanced safety features, such as overload protection, anti-sway systems, and emergency stop functions, ensuring compliance with LOLER regulations.
How Bramley Engineering Can Help with Your Custom Crane Needs
At Bramley Engineering, we specialise in custom crane manufacturing, offering tailored solutions to meet the specific needs of your industry. Our experienced team will work closely with you to understand your requirements and design unique cranes that enhance productivity, increase safety, and are built to last.
Whether you’re in construction, utilities, rail, or manufacturing,our custom crane solutions are designed to meet your exact requirements. We then facilitate full servicing, repairs and LOLER inspections for all your lifting equipment requirements. Contact us today to learn more about how our bespoke cranes can improve your operations and receive a design and quote for free.
Request your free design and quote and let us help you design the perfect lifting solution for your business.
