What is the lifting capacity range of a jib crane?

Jib cranes typically handle 0.125 to 5 tons. Standard configurations include 0.25 ton, 0.5 ton, 1 ton, 2 ton, 3 ton, and 5 ton models. For capacities above 5 tons, an overhead bridge crane or gantry crane is usually more suitable.

What is the difference between pillar-mounted and wall-mounted jib cranes?

A pillar-mounted jib crane stands on a floor column and offers 360-degree rotation, covering a full circular area. A wall-mounted jib crane attaches to an existing wall or building column, provides 180-200 degree rotation, and saves floor space. Wall-mounted versions cost 15-25% less than equivalent pillar-mounted units.

How much does a jib crane cost in 2026?

Jib crane prices in 2026 range from approximately USD 1,800 for a small 0.25 ton wall-mounted unit to USD 12,000+ for a 5 ton pillar-mounted model with electric hoist and 360-degree rotation. Mid-range 1 ton pillar-mounted units typically cost USD 3,500 to USD 5,800. Prices vary by mounting type, jib radius, hoist type, and customization.

Is a jib crane a good alternative to a bridge crane?

Yes, for localized lifting at individual workstations. A jib crane costs 70-80% less than a single girder bridge crane of comparable capacity and has a much smaller footprint. However, it only covers a fixed arc area (180-360 degrees), not the entire bay. Many workshops combine jib cranes for station work with a bridge crane for bay-wide heavy lifts.

What industries use jib cranes the most?

The top industries for jib cranes are machine shops (loading CNC machines), automotive repair (engine and transmission handling), assembly workstations (component positioning), loading docks (truck loading/unloading), utility maintenance (pump and motor servicing), and laboratories (heavy test fixture handling).

Jib Crane Guide: Types, Specs, Prices & Applications (2026)

Last updated: June 22, 2026 — By the SIEC Cranes engineering team

What Is a Jib Crane?

A jib crane (also called a cantilever crane or boom crane) is a fixed-position lifting device built around a horizontal arm — the jib — that extends from a vertical support. A hoist trolley runs along that arm, letting you lift and move loads within a defined arc. The whole concept is simple: you get localized lifting right where you need it, without the cost of a bridge crane spanning the entire bay.

I've spent years designing these things at SIEC. What keeps surprising me is how many workshops buy a bridge crane when all they really need is a well-placed jib crane at one or two stations. The cost difference is massive, and for station work the jib is actually more convenient.

Jib Crane Types — Which One Fits Your Floor?

There are three main types. Each has its own sweet spot.

Type	Mounting	Rotation	Best For	Price Range*
Pillar-Mounted	Floor column (concrete foundation required)	360°	Central workstation, outdoor loading areas	USD 2,500 – 12,000+
Wall-Mounted	Building column or wall bracket	180° – 200°	Tight workshops, assembly lines along walls	USD 1,800 – 7,500
Wall-Traveling	Wall-mounted rail system	180° + lateral travel	Multiple stations along a wall	USD 4,500 – 14,000

* Estimated pricing based on typical SIEC configurations. Final price depends on capacity, jib radius, hoist type, and local delivery. Industry estimates — 2026.

Technical Specifications

Here's what a standard SIEC jib crane looks like on paper. I'm giving you the real range we manufacture — not a trimmed marketing version.

Parameter	Range
Lifting Capacity	0.125 – 5 tons (most popular: 0.5t, 1t, 2t)
Jib Radius (Reach)	2 – 10 meters
Lifting Height	2 – 8 meters
Rotation Angle	180° / 270° / 360°
Hoist Type	Chain hoist or wire rope hoist
Control	Pendant / Remote control
Power Supply	380V / 415V / 480V / Single-phase available
Working Temperature	-20°C to +45°C
Standards	CE, ISO 9001, FEM

Jib Crane vs. Bridge Crane — Which One Do You Actually Need?

I see this mistake all the time. Someone walks into a workshop with a 500 sq meter bay and automatically reaches for a bridge crane. But if you only need lifting at 2-3 stations, a jib crane is 70-80% cheaper.

Factor	Jib Crane	Single Girder Bridge Crane
Coverage	Fixed arc (180-360°)	Full rectangular bay
Installed Cost (1 ton)	USD 2,500 – 5,800	USD 8,000 – 18,000
Footprint	Minimal (pillar base or wall bracket)	Full runway beam + end trucks
Installation Time	1-2 days	5-10 days
Best Use Case	Machine loading, assembly stations, repair	Bay-wide material handling, warehouse

Here's my rule of thumb: if you need to lift at 3 or fewer fixed positions and those positions are within a 5-10 meter radius, get a jib crane. If you need to serve the entire bay, get a bridge crane. If you need both, put jib cranes under a bridge crane — they work together perfectly.

Jib Crane Price Guide 2026

Alright, let's talk money. Prices vary by country, hoist choice, and how much customization you need. But here are real numbers from our sales records at SIEC.

Configuration	Est. Price (USD)	Typical Lead Time
0.25t wall-mounted, hand chain hoist	USD 1,800 – 2,500	2-3 weeks
0.5t pillar-mounted, hand chain	USD 2,500 – 3,800	2-4 weeks
1t pillar-mounted, electric chain hoist	USD 3,500 – 5,800	3-5 weeks
2t pillar-mounted, electric hoist, 360°	USD 5,000 – 8,500	4-6 weeks
5t pillar-mounted, wire rope hoist	USD 8,000 – 12,000+	5-8 weeks

Prices are FOB Shanghai for standard configurations. Add 8-15% for European-standard electrical components (CE mark). Industry estimates — 2026.

Key Applications — Where Jib Cranes Shine

Based on actual installations we've done, here's where jib cranes outperform everything else:

Machine shops (CNC loading) — 35% of our jib crane sales go to precision machining shops. Operators load 50-200 kg parts onto CNC mills and lathes. A jib crane eliminates the back strain and speeds up the cycle.
Automotive repair — Engine and transmission lifts. A 1-ton wall-mounted jib crane along a service bay wall covers 3-4 workstations easily.
Assembly lines — We see a lot of 0.25-0.5 ton jib cranes at electronics assembly stations, positioning subassemblies onto conveyor-fed fixtures.
Loading docks — A 2-ton pillar-mounted jib crane at a dock door handles palletized freight where a forklift can't maneuver.
Maintenance workshops — Pump, motor, and heavy equipment servicing. 360° rotation means you can swing the load around the entire workbench.

Choosing the Right Jib Crane — A Practical Checklist

When clients ask me how to pick one, I walk them through these 5 steps:

What's the heaviest load? Add 25% safety margin. If your heaviest part is 400 kg, don't buy a 0.5t crane — buy a 1t.
Where is the mounting point? Concrete floor at least 200 mm thick → pillar-mounted. Steel building column available → wall-mounted saves space and cost.
What rotation do you actually need? If you only work from one side, 180° is enough. If you need to swing parts around a bench, go 360°.
Manual or electric hoist? For lifts under 200 kg and fewer than 10 cycles per day, hand chain is fine. For anything heavier or frequent, invest in an electric hoist — it pays for itself in productivity inside 12 months.
CE certification required? If you're exporting to the EU, Middle East, or Southeast Asia, make sure your supplier provides CE-certified jib cranes with proper documentation. Many Chinese suppliers claim CE but only have a paper certificate — at SIEC our CE certification covers the actual structural design and manufacturing process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a jib crane be installed outdoors?

Yes. Pillar-mounted jib cranes work fine outdoors with weather-resistant coatings and sealed electrical enclosures (IP55 or higher). We've supplied outdoor units for shipyard fitting areas and construction material yards in Vietnam and Saudi Arabia.

How long does a jib crane last?

A properly maintained SIEC jib crane lasts 15-20 years. The hoist may need replacement after 10-12 years depending on duty cycle. The structural components (pillar, jib arm, slewing bearing) typically outlast the facility.

Can I add a jib crane to an existing building?

Absolutely. Wall-mounted jib cranes are designed for retrofitting — they bolt directly to steel columns or reinforced concrete walls. No new foundation work required. Just verify the mounting structure can handle the rated load + 25% dynamic factor.

Do I need a permit to install a jib crane?

In most countries, yes. Jib cranes are considered lifting equipment and require structural inspection of the mounting point. In the EU, the installation must comply with Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. SIEC provides all structural calculations and CE declaration of conformity to support your permit application.

Our Take at SIEC

I've been in this industry long enough to know that a jib crane is one of the best ROI investments a small-to-mid-size workshop can make. It's not glamorous, but it does one thing really well — local lifting at a price point that actually makes sense.

If you're tired of your team manually handling 100 kg+ parts or you're tired of overpaying for a bridge crane you don't fully need, a jib crane is your answer. We manufacture them at our facility in Jiashan, Zhejiang, and we ship worldwide with CE certification.

Want a quote? Drop us a message on WhatsApp or email [email protected]. Tell us your load, radius, and mounting preference — we'll get back to you within 24 hours with a detailed specification and price.

Jib Crane Guide: Complete Specs, Prices & Applications