Dahs Portal Crane – Maximum Mobility, Limitless Crane Power!
Portal cranes are mobile crane systems mounted on four supports. The structure resembles a portal in shape, which is where the name comes from. Portal cranes operate on two parallel crane rails affixed to the ground or on wheels. The trolley with the hoist travels along the crane bridge or girder.
Due to its design, the portal crane can move very high loads between the supports on the girder – offering you maximum mobility. Depending on the configuration, large outdoor portals can have a load capacity of up to 300t, while small mobile portals (also known as “Bockkran”) for warehouses or production have capacities ranging from 500kg to 5t – often also available as aluminum portal cranes. The maximum load capacity depends on the bending stress of the crane bridge and the hoisting performance of the rope hoist. However, we also design according to your individual requirements for maximum crane power.
Dahs GmbH portal cranes not only offer immense load capacity but also impressive flexibility across various applications. They are ideal for outdoor use or in production halls where an overhead crane system is not possible or economical. Thanks to their mobile design, the crane can be efficiently moved over long distances, making it indispensable for large warehouses or assembly areas. In addition, our portal cranes can be tailored to specific customer requirements—whether in terms of span, lifting height, or special safety features. Equipped with advanced control technology and state-of-the-art safety systems, they guarantee smooth and safe operation even under demanding conditions. Benefit from the many years of experience and quality that Dahs GmbH integrates into every portal crane, and boost the productivity of your operations. Interested in purchasing and/or consulting? Feel free to contact us and experience limitless crane power.
Selection Criteria When Purchasing a Portal Crane
- What loads should be lifted with the portal crane (weight and type of loads on the girder)?
- What span / width / girder length and clear height is required for the crane?
- How high must the portal crane lift be (hook height)?
- Which type of lifting device should be purchased?
- What travel and lifting speeds are required, e.g., high speed for long travel or lifting distances?
- Is a version with special supports or a specific type of wheels/rollers needed?
- What are the spatial conditions at the installation site (indoor or outdoor use, floor conditions)?
- Is a fully mobile or stationary portal crane preferred? What variants are needed for transportation?
- Are there any special requirements regarding the power supply or energy source (e.g., cables, overhead line, battery)?
- Are special safety features required (e.g., collision protection, overload protection)?
- How is the crane operated (manually, electrically, remote-controlled)?
- Are there special environmental conditions to consider (wind, weather, temperature, corrosion)?
- Will the portal crane be regularly transported or used primarily as a stationary unit at various locations?
- What are the maintenance and servicing requirements?
Variants, Applications and Advantages
A portal crane is a versatile and efficient solution – mobile for various lifting and transport tasks in industry, workshops, and construction sites. The decision to use a large portal crane outdoors rather than an externally built bridge crane system depends on several factors.
Use of Large Portals Outdoors
Large portal cranes are ideal for outdoor use when extensive loads must be moved over greater distances. They offer the following advantages:
- Flexibility: A portal crane can be deployed over large areas with substantial width and, depending on the design, is not bound to fixed rails. This allows for flexible positioning and adaptation to various working conditions, e.g., in warehouses, outdoor storage, and production.
- Higher Load Capacities: Compared to bridge crane systems, large portal cranes can often lift heavier loads, making them an excellent choice for construction sites and warehouse halls.
- Weather Independence: While bridge cranes are mostly installed indoors, large portal cranes can be used even under challenging weather conditions, expanding their range of applications.
Use of Small Mobile Portals Indoors
In indoor environments, such as in warehouses or production, smaller variants of mobile portal cranes (often called “Bockkrane”) are frequently used. When you buy a crane portal offer the following advantages:
- Space-Saving: Small cranes require less space and are ideal for confined areas in workshops, warehouses, and production facilities where a large bridge crane system would not be practical. At Dahs, the products can be adapted in terms of width, girder length, height, and load capacity to perfectly support your internal transport needs. There are also foldable “Bockkrane” available.
- Manoeuvrability: Due to their compact design, small cranes are easier to move and adjust, which is advantageous in production and assembly tasks.
- Safety: In indoor environments, freedom of movement may be restricted by other machines or fixtures. Small cranes minimize the risk of collisions and ensure a safer working environment.
For this type of crane, simply view our portal cranes – usually available on short notice – in the shop at
www.hebezeugshop.de:
Here you will also find a wide selection of accessories in every category such as electric winches, worm gear block and tackles, hand chain hoists, shackles, rigging chains, round slings, trolleys (also with pockets for forklifts), fall protection, tie-down straps, pallet jacks, and other lifting technology.
The choice between a large portal crane outdoors and a small portal crane indoors (and the execution of the products as aluminum portal cranes) depends on the specific requirements of the respective application. While large portal cranes are ideal for extensive, heavy loads in open areas, small portal cranes indoors offer the necessary flexibility and safety. In planning, the optimal crane should always be selected to ensure efficiency and safety in the workplace.
Advantages and Disadvantages of an Aluminum Portal Crane Compared to a Steel Portal Crane
Advantages of an Aluminum Portal Crane
- Lighter Weight: The aluminum portal crane is the standard lightweight variant. Aluminum is significantly lighter than steel, which makes the transportation and handling of an aluminum portal crane easier. This version is particularly useful if the crane is to be used in a mobile application, as it can be erected and dismantled more quickly.
- Corrosion Resistance: Aluminum is naturally not only light but also more corrosion-resistant than steel, meaning that aluminum portal cranes are less prone to rust in moist or corrosive environments. This reduces maintenance efforts and extends the crane's lifespan in certain applications.
- Easy Installation: Due to its lower weight, an aluminum portal crane can be installed more easily by hand, making the site more flexible and reducing the need for heavy installation tools or machinery.
- Lower Wear: The surface of aluminum is resistant to many environmental influences, resulting in lower wear and a longer service life for an aluminum portal crane, particularly in areas with chemical exposures.
Disadvantages of an Aluminum Portal Crane
- Lower Load Capacity: Aluminum portal cranes made of aluminum have lower strength than steel, meaning that aluminum portal cranes tend to have a lower load capacity or width compared to steel models. For applications requiring heavy loads, steel is often the better choice.
- Higher Material Cost: Aluminum is often more expensive than steel, which can increase the acquisition cost of an aluminum portal crane. This can be particularly significant in larger crane systems.
- Risk of Deformation: Aluminum is softer than steel and may deform more easily under certain loads or impacts. This means that aluminum portal cranes in harsh industrial environments may be more susceptible to mechanical damage.
- Temperature Dependence: Aluminum loses strength more quickly than steel at higher temperatures, which may limit the use of an aluminum portal crane in hot environments.
Accessories
Trolleys
- Trolleys are essential for the movement of loads along the girder of the portal crane. They ensure that loads are precisely transferred from one point to another along the girder. There are manual trolleys that are moved by hand, and electric trolleys used for heavier loads or faster and more precise movement. A manual trolley can either be pulled by a hand chain or be a reel trolley driven by a chain wheel attached to the trolley chain.
Electric Chain Hoists
- Electric chain hoists are a common choice as accessories to efficiently lift and lower heavy loads. They are electrically operated and offer high load capacity with minimal effort. These are particularly useful for frequent lifting operations and large loads, as they operate quickly and reliably.
Hand Chain Hoists
- Hand chain hoists are a manual alternative to electric chain hoists. They are ideal accessories for applications where lifting is less frequent or requires greater precision, as they do not require an external power supply. Hand chain hoists are robust, cost-effective, and easy to operate, though they are slower than electric hoists.
Electric Winches
- Electric winches provide another method to lift or pull loads on portal cranes. This product is the perfect accessory for cranes with high load capacity and often comes with an integrated electric trolley. They are available in manual or electric variants and are often used in applications where a flexible and versatile solution is needed. They offer advantages over chain hoists, especially at higher lifting heights or over longer distances.
Undercarriages
- Undercarriages enable the mobile movement of the entire portal crane on rails or directly on the floor. This accessory enhances mobility and flexibility, allowing the portal crane to be moved from one location to another. Both manual and motorized undercarriages are available, depending on the application requirements.
Protective Devices and Safety Technology
- Accessories for portal cranes from Dahs GmbH, whether steel or aluminum portal cranes, also include safety devices such as overload protection systems, limit switches, and locking brakes, which ensure that the crane operates safely and reliably. These systems help prevent accidents and guarantee the longevity of the crane and its accessory products.
The delivery of portal cranes is possible throughout Germany and Austria. Whether you wish to purchase such a crane, an aluminum portal crane, or further variants or items – please use the contact form or call us!
