What are Crane Lift Attachments
Crane lift attachments are specialised devices that connect to a crane’s hook or boom. They convert a single lifting point into a secure, purpose-built system designed to safely hoist, balance, and handle specific loads—such as pallets, loose materials, or personnel—that a standard hook cannot manage alone.
Why Use Crane Lift Attachments?
Crane lift attachments turn a single crane hook into a stable, versatile system. They let crews safely lift awkward, heavy, or delicate loads that standard hooks cannot manage alone. Key reasons to use crane lift attachments include safety, versatility, and efficiency.
Types of Crane Lift Attachments
There are numerous types of crane lift attachments used in materials handling applications. The most common forklift attachments include:
Crane Lift Beams
Definition: A crane beam, often referred to as a lifting beam, is a crane attachment hung directly from a crane’s main hook to assist in lifting heavy, large, or awkward loads.
Purpose: Designed to safely lift and support heavy loads in industrial, construction and workshop environments.
Industries: Mining, warehouse, manufacturing, construction.
Benefits: Improve load control and flexibility for overhead lifting applications.
Typical Capacity / WWL: Between 4,000kg to 50,000kg, depending on the product and whether it is being used as a spreader or single-lift beam.
Crane Lifting Cages
Definition: Crane lifting cages are a specialised type of crane lifting attachment. Typically taking the shape of a basket or bucket, crane cages are an affordable, versatile, and practical solution for a range of materials handling applications.
Purpose: Designed to lift most types of loose goods, materials, and other components.
Industries: Commonly used in industrial and construction industries.
Benefits: Crane cages are particularly useful for lifting large and awkward goods that would be difficult to manage through manual lifting, and can protect your goods from damage.
Typical Capacity / WWL: Varies widely between individual lifting cage products, but broadly, lifting cages can lift between 500kg – 2,000kg.
Crane Lift Bins & Devices
Definition: Crane lift bins are materials handling devices that allow bins of materials to be lifted using forklifts and overhead cranes.
Purpose: Crane lift bins are used to lift and transport materials, waste and products. Because crane lift bins can move large amounts of materials with each lift, they’re an incredibly efficient solution for transporting and dumping materials.
Industries: Industrial, manufacturing, mining, and construction.
Benefits: There are numerous benefits to using crane lifting bins including multi-level (high rise) waste handling, less manual stress, fewer workplace injuries, and the ability to move and dump bulk materials loads.
Typical Capacity / WLL: Up to 4,500kg
Crane Man Cages & Boxes
Definition: A crane man cage (sometimes called a man box) is a metal cage lifted by a crane to safely carry workers and their tools to high and hard to reach locations.
Purpose: Crane man cages are commonly used when elevated platforms or scaffolding are not available or practical.
Industries: Industrial, construction.
Benefits: A crane man cage allows workers, their tools and equipment to be transported safely around worksites, which can dramatically improve the efficiency of your team.
Typical Capacity / WLL: 500kg – 750kg
Crane Drum Handling
Definition: Crane drum handling is the mechanical lifting, tilting, and transporting of heavy drums using overhead hoists or cranes.
Purpose: Crane drum handling uses specialised drum attachments such as grabs, grips or rotators that are suspended from a crane hook to securely lift, tilt, and move industrial drums.
Industries: Industrial and warehousing
Benefits: Safely lift, transport, and position drums using overhead cranes.
Typical Capacity / WLL: 1000kg
Learn more about the different types of crane lift attachments.
Crane Lift Attachment Comparison Table
| Crane Lift Attachment Type | Industry / Usage | Purpose | Australian Standard | Typical / Capacity / WLL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crane Lift Beams | Mining, warehouse, manufacturing, construction | Assist in lifting heavy, large, or awkward loads | AS 1418.1 | Between 4,000kg - 50,000kg |
| Crane Lift Bins & Devices | Industrial, manufacturing, mining, and construction. | Lift and transport materials, waste and products | AS 1418.1 | Up to 4,500kg |
| Crane Lifting Cages | Industrial and construction | Designed to lift most types of loose goods, materials, and other components | AS 1418.1 | 500kg - 2,000kg |
| Crane Man Cages & Boxes | Industrial and construction | Safely carries workers and their tools to high and hard to reach locations. | AS 1418.1 | 500kg - 750kg |
| Crane Drum Handling | Industrial and warehousing | Mechanical lifting, tilting, and transporting of heavy drums using overhead hoists or cranes | AS 1418.1 | 1000kg |
Benefits of crane lift attachments
Crane lifting attachments offer numerous benefits as they turn a crane into a multipurpose machine, with the ability to handle of a wide variety of loads.
- Improve worksite productivity by transforming your crane into a multi-use machine capable of handling pallets, bulk bags, loose materials, or personnel.
- Reduce operational costs as they allow your crane to complete diverse tasks, reducing the need for specialised machinery.
- Reduce the need for slow and complicated manual rigging on every lift.
- Improve workplace safety with secure, custom lift attachments that lower the risk of shifting or dropped loads.
What is the Australian Standard for Crane Lift Attachments
In Australia, crane lifting attachments must meet Australian Standard AS 1418.1 Cranes, Hoists and Winches — General Requirements. This standard sets mandatory requirements for the design, manufacture, load rating and certification of crane attachments used in Australian workplaces.
Without compliance to AS 1418.1, a crane lifting attachment device cannot be legally or safely used on an Australian worksite.
Read more about whether your crane lifting attachment meets Australian Standards, and whether your crane lifting attachment is safe.
Crane Lift Attachments and Load Capacity
What is crane lift load capacity?
Knowing the lifting capacity (the Working Load Limit) of crane attachments is crucial to prevent dropped loads, injuries, equipment failure, and structural damage. The load capacity, or Working Load Limit (WLL), is the maximum safe weight an attachment can handle. This limit varies widely, depending on the type of attachment, and it must always include the combined weight of the attachment and the load.
Where to find your attachment’s load capacity
You can locate a crane lift attachment’s load capacity information stamped or printed on its compliance data plate, or within the manufacturer’s user manual and technical specifications. The data plate contains valuable details such as the model number, serial number, weight, and capacity of the attachment. In some cases, you may also find additional relevant information on the plate. If the attachment is missing a data plate, you can contact the manufacturer to obtain a replacement.
Impact of Attachments on Crane Load Capacity
Lift attachments reduce a crane’s net load capacity. Slings, shackles, and beams carry their own Working Load Limit, and therefore act as a dead weight. You need to subtract this tare weight from the crane’s gross capacity on the Crane Load Chart to find your net lifting limit.
How to be sure which attachment size is right for your crane?
To ensure your crane lift attachment is the correct size for your crane, compare its Working Load Limit (WLL) against your total load weight, then deduct the attachment’s own weight from the crane’s Maximum Rated Capacity (MRC) using the Crane’s Load Chart. You also need to verify physical and safety compliance.
Always confirm the correct sizing with your crane dealer and crane lift attachment manufacturer.
Crane Lift Attachment Safety
To ensure your crane lift attachment is safe to use, it’s important to conduct pre-operation inspections, manage your rigging and load control, and abide by all operational rules.
Read more about how to comply with crane lifting standards and safety.
How to select a quality crane lift attachment supplier
Use Compliant Crane Lift Attachments
Always use crane lift attachments that comply with Australian Standard AS 1418.1 Cranes, Hoists and Winches. Non-compliant attachments may be under-rated for the loads they are used with, lack the structural features needed to prevent failure, or expose your business to WHS liability if an incident occurs. Always use compliant crane lift attachments that are proof load tested and have compliance plates attached.
Buy Australian Made Crane Lift Attachments
Purchase crane lift attachments that are designed and manufactured in Australia from a reputable manufacturer like Bremco Metal Products. Bremco products come with compliance plates, load rating charts, test records and certificates. Every Bremco attachment is designed for AS 1418.1 from the ground up, not adapted from an overseas equivalent. Ensure that your crane lift attachments complies with Australian Standards, is fully welded and durable, and will be a safe and effective attachment for your workplace.