Carrier selection guide
Crane Attachments
Cranes handle loads through suspended hooks, grabs, grapples and other lifting assemblies. Attachment selection must account for the full suspended mass, connection arrangement, crane configuration and intended duty, rather than only the material payload.
Attachment options
- Grapples and rotators
- Include grapple, rotator, link and hydraulic connections in the assembly mass.
- Bulk grabs
- Choose shell arrangement for the material and closure method.
- Fork and lifting assemblies
- Check the approved suspension and the way the load is retained.
- Powered tools
- Confirm how oil, power and controls reach the suspended tool without restricting movement.
Check the complete carrier and tool combination
- Complete suspended mass
- The crane carries the tool and its fittings as well as the payload.
- Duty and configuration
- Repeated grab work is a different duty from occasional lifts
- Connection geometry
- Hooks, links, reeving and rotation freedom must suit the assembly without unintended side loading.
Plan the work
- Define the load, duty and approved lifting arrangement.
- Match the complete assembly to the relevant crane documentation.
- Plan controlled movement and exclusion zones, then inspect connections before work.
Common selection mistakes
- Subtracting only the grab mass while ignoring rotator and links overstates payload.
- Using a material-handling tool as a lifting accessory without documented approval is not a valid substitute.
Before ordering
Give the supplier the exact machine model, coupler, fitted auxiliary circuit and intended working method. Include the mass and offset of any additional coupler, rotator or adapter. Ask for the applicable installation instructions and model-specific operating limits.
Check replacement wear parts, maintenance access and the transport arrangement alongside purchase cost. The selected tool should suit the normal job as well as the most demanding expected material.