Introduction: The Backbone of Malaysian Industry
The overhead crane is the workhorse of just about every heavy industry in Malaysia, from steel mills and shipbuilding to logistics warehouses and power plants. It is a long-term capital investment that will determine your facility’s production capacity and efficiency.
When it comes to purchasing an overhead crane in Malaysia, not only does capability matter, it has to be in accordance with local JKKP codes, while also ensuring that the equipment is properly rated for the harsh tropical climate and intense operation demands.
Liftech Engineering is proud to be a leading local crane manufacturer and supplier, delivering excellent quality crane services while serving a large service coverage, comprising of major industrialized towns such as Ipoh, Penang, Johor Bahru and more. Leveraging our experience, this guide provides the critical knowledge required for procurement, engineering, and maintenance professionals.
Choosing the Right Foundation: Types of Overhead Cranes
The bridge-style overhead crane runs on the runway beams and lifts loads along three axes: up and down, back and forth, left to right. The first decision is to select the structural type that is best suited for you depending on the type of load and workplace.
1. Single Girder Overhead Cranes
- Structure: Uses a single bridge beam, over which the hoist runs on the bottom flange.
- Ideal Usage: Lighter to medium loads (typically under 15 tons), shorter spans, and for where low clearance or headroom is a factor.
- Key Advantage: Extremely cost efficient, faster and easier to install, good for general workshops, assembly lines and light industrial use.
2. Double Girder Overhead Cranes
- Structure: Consists of two bridge beams that run parallel and a hoist which also rides on top of the runway rails.
- Ideal Usage: Heavy Loads, higher capacity lifts (greater than 15 tons), and very long spans.
- Key Advantage: Height of hook is greater (as a result of the hoist being mounted on top) and enhanced stability and rigidity for demanding duty cycles, high capacity loads, and abrasive environments.
3. Specialty Lifting Systems
- Gantry Cranes: Freestanding cranes supported by two legs that are often used outdoors as they don’t require any runway support from the building structure.
- Jib Cranes: Excellent for localized, circular lifting tasks, ideal for supplementing overhead cranes at individual workstations.
- Monorail Cranes: Provide highly efficient material transport along a fixed, dedicated path, common in processing plants.
The Critical Specification: Understanding Duty Classification (FEM/ISO)
In the B2B sector, purchasing a crane just by basing solely on its Safe Working Load (SWL) is a huge oversight. The factor that most influences the lifespan and maintenance of a crane is its Duty Classification, established by international standards such as FEM (Fédération Européenne de la Manutention) and ISO (International Organisation for Standardization).
The Duty Classification ensures you select a crane capable of handling the frequency and magnitude of your loads over its intended service life (typically 10 years).
| FEM/ISO Class | Load Spectrum | Usage Description | Typical Malaysian Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Bm (M3) | Light | Occasional full loads, usually light loads. Standby use. | Repair shops, motor rooms, maintenance. |
| 1Am (M4) | Medium | Occasional full loads, average fixed loads. Single-shift operations. | General machine shops, light manufacturing. |
| 2m (M5) | Heavy | Repetitive full loads, frequent use. Two-shift operations. | Heavy machine shops, steel warehouses, foundries. |
| 3m (M6/M7) | Very Heavy | Almost continuous operation with loads near rated capacity. Severe, constant service. | Scrap yards, continuous production lines, large scale steel plants. |
Selecting a crane machine that is under-rated for your application (e.g. using a 1Am crane for 3m duty) would result in premature wear of components, excessive downtimes, and frequently, expensive repairs that negates any initial savings. But fret not, Liftech’s engineering team provides precise calculations tailored to meet your duty cycle perfectly.
Mandatory Safety & Local JKKP Compliance
All overhead cranes in Malaysia are considered as Hoisting Machines that are regulated by DOSH whereby a Certificate of Fitness (CF) must be in place to operate.
Non-Negotiable Safety Features
All new cranes must be equipped with critical safety technologies that are in line with both Malaysian safety standards as well as worldwide best-practices, which includes:
- Overload Protection System (OPS): The crane automatically stops lifting any load that exceeds the maximum capacity of 100% of its SWL, protecting both the structure and hoist.
- Anti-Collision Sensors: A must-have for plants where multiple overhead cranes are operating on the same runway. These sensors are designed to use lasers or proximity technology to avoid any contact.
- Limit Switches: Three stage system prevents over-travel of the trolley, bridge and most important of the hook block (over-hoisting).
- Safety Stop: A large, mushroom-head button that shuts off power to all the crane’s motors instantly.
JKKP Certification and Renewal
Compliance is an ongoing matter in this field, hence the Certificate of Fitness must be periodically reviewed and renewed.
DOSH also requires that only trained and certified operators are permitted to operate overhead cranes. Liftech offers this training (and certification support) to ensure compliance.
If you want to find out more about the new OSH (SSI) Regulations 2025 and what it means for compliance, read our Complete JKKP Renewal Guide.
The Liftech Advantage: Local Manufacturing, National Service
While global brands exist, working with a local manufacturer and supplier like Liftech offers tangible benefits that are critical for ensuring maximum uptime in Malaysia:
- Faster Response & Local Expertise: With our nationwide branches located in Ipoh, Penang, Johor Bahru, Kuantan, Sarawak and Sabah; your trained technicians can provide 24/7 emergency breakdown support across Peninsula Malaysia and East Malaysia.
- Local Spare Parts Availability: We maintain readily available stock of high-wear components and spare parts, drastically reducing the waiting time that often plagues facilities relying on imported parts.
- Full Lifecycle Management: We offer comprehensive services beyond sales, including:
- Preventive Maintenance and scheduled inspections.
- Refurbishment and Modernization (e.g., upgrading older cranes to 2m/M5 duty).
- Load Testing and JKKP Documentation Handling.
Ready to secure an overhead crane that guarantees safety, compliance, and decades of reliable service?
Contact Liftech Engineering today to discuss your specific material handling requirements.
