- May 22, 2025
- Case Studies
3 ton LH Bridge Crane Supplied to Maldives Workshop
Explore the challenges and solutions in our case study on implementing a 3 Ton LH Bridge Crane in the Maldives' marine engineering sector.
The installation of a 3 Ton LH (Low Headroom) Bridge Crane in the Maldives highlights the importance of tailored lifting solutions in geographically unique and industrially demanding environments. This case study explores how a marine engineering company in the Maldives addressed specific material handling challenges using our 3 Ton LH Bridge Crane. It provides a detailed overview of the customer's requirements, the technical and operational challenges they faced, and how our crane design met those needs.
Industry Background: Marine Engineering in the Maldives
Business Operations and Environmental Conditions
The customer operates within the marine engineering and boatbuilding sector, a critical industry in the Maldives. Due to its dispersed island geography, the country relies heavily on marine vessels for transportation, tourism, and logistics. The company specializes in ship repair, hull fabrication, engine fitting, and vessel customization. These operations involve moving heavy components such as boat engines, structural steel frames, and prefabricated ship sections within confined workshop areas.
Importance of Lifting Solutions in the Industry
Material handling and lifting equipment in marine engineering workshops are essential for productivity, safety, and precision. Equipment must be compact enough to operate within low-clearance indoor environments while still providing sufficient lifting capacity. Moreover, high humidity and salt-laden air create a need for corrosion-resistant machinery.
Customer Needs: Addressing Capacity, Space, and Durability
Specific Lifting Requirements
The customer required a lifting solution that could:
- Handle components weighing up to 3 tons.
- Operate efficiently in a workshop with limited headroom.
- Withstand high humidity and corrosive salt-air exposure.
- Provide reliable and accurate positioning for delicate marine parts.
Operational Constraints
Due to the island's limited industrial infrastructure, equipment had to be easy to transport, assemble, and maintain locally. A compact, modular design was crucial to ensure fast installation and minimal downtime.
Problems Faced Before Adopting the LH Bridge Crane
Manual Labor and Inefficient Equipment
Previously, the customer relied on a combination of manual hoists and forklifts. These methods posed several problems:
- Manual handling increased the risk of workplace injuries.
- Forklifts could not provide vertical lifting precision.
- Operational inefficiencies led to delays in production timelines.
Inadequate Safety and Equipment Wear
The humid, salty environment corroded conventional steel equipment rapidly. The lack of specialized lifting systems also made it difficult to meet safety standards required for marine engineering projects.
Product Overview: Design of the 3 Ton LH Bridge Crane
Structural Design
Our 3 Ton LH Bridge Crane features a low-headroom design, allowing it to operate in workshops with height restrictions. It incorporates:
- A double-girder overhead structure for increased stability.
- A compact electric hoist mounted between the girders.
- Anti-corrosion coatings on all exposed surfaces.
Technical Specifications
- Rated Load Capacity: 3,000 kg
- Span: Usually up to 20 meters or more
- Lifting Height: Configurable based on workshop dimensions
- Travel Speed: Variable frequency drive (VFD) controlled
- Protection Class: IP55 motor enclosure for resistance to water and dust
- Control System: Wireless remote control and pendant control
Materials and Components
The crane uses marine-grade steel with a hot-dip galvanized finish. Bearings and electrical components are sealed against moisture. The hoist is equipped with an overload protection system, emergency stop, and limit switches for upper and lower lifting positions.
Application in the Customer's Workshop
Installation Process
The crane was shipped in pre-assembled modules and installed in the customer's workshop within four days. Local technicians, trained in advance, completed the setup with remote support from our engineers.
Daily Operations
The crane now handles tasks such as:
- Lifting marine diesel engines onto hulls.
- Positioning steel beams during ship frame assembly.
- Transporting parts from storage to assembly bays.
- Assisting in fiberglass mold alignment.
Its low-headroom configuration proved critical in navigating the constrained vertical space within the facility.
Handling Challenging Conditions
The crane's corrosion-resistant design continues to perform well under continuous exposure to sea air. Regular inspection logs report minimal wear and excellent uptime.
Advantages of the 3 Ton LH Bridge Crane in This Use Case
1. Increased Efficiency
The transition from manual labor and forklifts to the bridge crane has improved throughput by 42%, based on internal performance metrics provided by the client.
2. Improved Safety
Accident reports involving lifting tasks dropped to zero within six months of crane implementation. Safety features, such as limit switches and wireless controls, reduced the risk of operator error.
3. Extended Equipment Lifespan
Corrosion resistance and robust materials contributed to longer maintenance intervals. The customer reports an estimated 30% reduction in annual equipment maintenance costs.
4. Enhanced Operational Precision
The VFD-enabled control system offers smoother and more accurate positioning, essential for aligning critical components during vessel construction.
Versatility and Other Applications
The 3 Ton LH Bridge Crane is engineered for environments that require compact equipment capable of lifting moderate loads. In addition to its role in marine engineering, this crane serves a variety of industrial sectors due to its structural configuration and operational flexibility.
1. Metal Fabrication Workshops
This crane is well suited for moving metal plates, frames, and welded assemblies in confined spaces. Its low headroom design allows installation in workshops where ceiling height is limited. Operators can transfer workpieces between cutting, welding, and assembly stations with minimal manual handling.
2. Automotive and Aerospace Maintenance
In facilities focused on engine overhauls or component repairs, space constraints are common. The crane's smooth trolley travel and stable lifting mechanism help technicians position heavy parts accurately. It is suitable for lifting engines, transmissions, landing gear sections, and fuselage parts during inspection or assembly.
3. Warehouse and Logistics Hubs
When integrated into warehouse systems, the LH bridge crane contributes to load movement between trucks, storage racks, and processing areas. It helps reduce dependence on forklifts for vertical lifting. The crane supports the safe handling of palletized goods, crates, and mechanical parts in environments with moderate lifting needs.
4. Renewable Energy Sector
In the production or servicing of wind turbines and solar infrastructure, the crane assists in moving components such as gearboxes, nacelle housings, and panel frames. Its stable lifting platform minimizes the risk of damage during component alignment. The crane’s capacity and compact profile make it suitable for both indoor and sheltered outdoor maintenance areas.
LH and 3 Ton Yuantai Bridge Crane
LH-double beam electric bridge crane is a bridge crane with hook, suitable for indoor or outdoor fixed horizontal intercropping loading and unloading and transportation operations. The lifting capacity range is 3T-50T, and it consists of a double beam bridge mechanism, a running mechanism, a trolley with a frame and an electrical part. The lifting mechanism is equipped with a CD/MD electric hoist with a frame. Compared with a single beam bridge crane, its structure is more solid and safer to use, so it has a larger lifting capacity.
Conclusion
The deployment of the 3 Ton LH Bridge Crane in the Maldives marine engineering sector demonstrates the importance of purpose-built material handling systems. By addressing specific challenges—such as limited headroom, corrosive environments, and high precision requirements—this lifting solution improved operational efficiency, enhanced safety, and reduced maintenance costs.
