The Crane Wheel for Overhead Crane is a critical component designed to support the crane's movement along the rails and bear heavy loads. Here are some key features and specifications of these wheels:
Material and Construction
Materials: The wheels are commonly made from high-quality materials such as forged steel, cast steel, or stainless steel. Forged steel is known for its exceptional toughness and is ideal for high-stress lifting applications. Cast iron is often chosen for its excellent wear resistance and is suitable for harsh industrial settings. Stainless steel offers superior corrosion resistance, making it perfect for cranes operating in challenging environments.
Heat Treatment: Many wheels undergo heat treatment processes to enhance their hardness and wear resistance. This ensures that the wheels can withstand the immense pressure and friction inherent in heavy lifting operations.
Types of Crane Wheels
Solid Crane Wheels: Made from a single piece of metal, these wheels offer exceptional strength and durability. They are ideal for handling high-impact, heavy-duty loads and are commonly used in industrial crane systems.
Forged Crane Wheels: Forged from high-quality steel, these wheels are resistant to cracking under pressure and are suitable for cranes operating in challenging conditions.
Cast Crane Wheels: Typically used for medium-duty applications, these wheels are formed by pouring molten metal into molds, resulting in a cost-effective yet durable solution for many crane operations.
Tapered Crane Wheels: These wheels feature a conical shape and are designed to ensure proper alignment with the crane rails. Their shape helps to reduce friction during crane movement and enhance operational efficiency.
Key Functions
Load Distribution: The crane wheels bear the weight of both the crane and any materials it lifts. They are designed to distribute the load evenly across their surfaces.
Smooth Movement: Crane wheels enable smooth and efficient movement along the rail system. Their design ensures the crane travels without jerks or instability, thus reducing operational wear and tear.
Minimizing Wear and Tear: The wheels are engineered to endure constant motion and weight-bearing, leading to significant wear if not properly designed or maintained.
Specifications
Wheel Diameter: Overhead crane wheel sizes vary based on the crane type, with diameters ranging from 150 mm to 1,000 mm or more for heavy-duty operations.
Load Capacity: The wheel's ability to bear loads without deforming or failing is influenced by wheel diameter, material, and tread width.
Hardness Levels: A hardness range of 300–400 HB is typical for heavy-duty applications, ensuring longevity even under constant stress.
Applications
Manufacturing Plants: Overhead cranes are integral to factories, where they are used to move raw materials, semi-finished goods, and completed products. The wheels must support frequent operation and handle the weight of heavy loads.
Shipping Ports: In port facilities, overhead cranes equipped with high-quality wheels are used to load and unload containers from ships. These wheels are essential for ensuring smooth, efficient, and safe handling of cargo under tight schedules.
Construction Sites: On construction sites, overhead cranes play a critical role in lifting and positioning massive construction materials, such as steel beams, concrete panels, and large machinery. The wheels must be durable enough to manage the substantial weight and rigorous working conditions typical of construction environments.
Maintenance
Regular Inspections: Inspecting the wheels for cracks, wear, or any other signs of damage can help identify issues before they lead to failure. Pay particular attention to the wheel flange and tread surface.
Lubrication: Proper lubrication of the wheel bearings helps reduce friction and wear, ensuring smoother crane movement and extended service life.
Rail Inspection and Alignment: Inspecting the crane rails for damage or misalignment helps to reduce unnecessary stress on the wheels, improving their lifespan and ensuring safe operation.
Wheel Reconditioning: Over time, the wheels may wear down and require reconditioning. This can involve resurfacing or reshaping the wheel to restore its performance.
By selecting the right material, ensuring proper design, and adhering to a routine maintenance schedule, companies can extend the lifespan of their crane wheels and reduce the risk of operational downtime.
Crane wheel is the most important parts in crane traveling system. It is also the most vulnerable parts due to the friction between crane wheels and rail. Therefore, the crane wheels should be replaced when the flange wear, flange breakage and fatigue pitting happened.
Advanced design and good quality
Wide range sizes with the diameters of 150mm to 900mm (6" to 36")
Various kinds of crane wheels
Customized crane wheels available
