The Benefits of Radio Control for Cranes and Hoists

Highlighting the benefits of a Radio Control solution for Cranes and Hoists compared with Pendant Control solutions.

Crane & Hoist Control Solutions

The continual drive to achieve greater operational efficiencies and safer working environments is supported by technological advancements, which are changing the way we operate lifting equipment for the better.

Newer overhead cranes and hoists now include radio control configuration as either a standard feature or an optional extra. Similarly, older cranes and hoists can be upgraded to have a receiver installed that would facilitate the installation of a radio control system in place of the traditional cabled pendant control option.

The Benefits

The biggest advantage of radio control crane systems and hoists is greater safety because unlike a pendant control which is tethered to the crane system radio controls offer greater freedom for the operator to move around.

A radio control enables the operator to control the crane systems movement from a safe place, but also gives them the freedom to move around the workspace to get a better view of their surroundings, as well as assessing obstacles that could be obstructing the cranes travel path.
If the operator is using a handheld, wireless control they can manage the cranes movement from a safe distance, removing them from the travel path of the crane to avoid potential load swings and dropped loads.
There are a lot of options available for radio control solutions, with different configurations from single to multiple speed operations. Multi-channel radio control handsets are ergonomically designed for easy handling whereas a multi-channel pendant can be cumbersome.

Another great advantage of radio control is the operational efficiencies available from the operators having better visibility, which allows for greater accuracy so that operators can complete more lifts in less time through operational streamlining.
Considering the traditional crane control method of using a crane cab, the operation requires 2 people; 1 to operate the crane and 1 on the floor to provide a second set of eyes and hand signals but when the operator uses a radio control solution there is no need for a second person to support the operation.
For higher risk applications like hot metal or multiple hoist operations a radio control solution is the ideal choice from a safety perspective.

Radio Control: With VS. Without

A lifting operation without radio control

Hoist UK supplied, fitted and configured a radio control system onto one of our customers existing overhead cranes

A Radio Control System for a Customers Existing Crane

Our customer required a radio control system for one of their existing overhead cranes for safer operation and enhanced operational efficiency. When the customer contacted us they had a strong idea of the type of radio control system they were looking for but they were unsure of how feasible it was to retrospectively configure a radio control receiver and transmitter to their existing crane system.

Our Services

Hoist UK are a full service provider offering our industrial and entertainment customers with a wide variety of standard, modified and bespoke lifting solutions. With an emphasis on quality we provide our customers with access to the highest quality lifting equipment in the market from internationally recognised brands including Verlinde.

We pride ourselves on delivering a seamless, end-to-end portfolio of services to our customers which includes the design of lifting equipment and handling solutions like Overhead Cranes, Performer Flying Tracking Systems and Cleanroom Lifting Solutions. Bringing those designs to life happens in our workshop fully equipped for manufacturing operations by our skilled, experienced and qualified welders, machinists and electro-mechanical engineers. Once the equipment has been supplied to you our engineers can install the lifting solution and commission it if required. We are also on hand to offer servicing and preventative maintenance for all of your lifting and handling equipment, as well as offering LOLER inspections every 6 months for lifting accessories and every 12 months for lifting equipment.