At Harold Potter, we manufacture, refurbish, design, and install a range of overhead travelling cranes, including both single girder and double girder cranes. Our new and used overhead cranes are tailored to meet the needs of your application. We have extensive expertise and knowledge of our customers’ specific industrial processes. We sell electric overhead cranes with the option of manual hoist operation as a backup, in case of a loss of power. Our overhead cranes are used across a range of industries, including manufacturing, warehousing, engineering, and heavy industry. They are ideal for environments where efficient, safe, and repetitive lifting is required. Post installation we also provide crane servicing and inspections.
What is an Overhead Crane?
An overhead crane is a type of industrial lifting system used to lift, lower, and move heavy loads horizontally across a workspace. Overhead cranes are commonly installed in factories, workshops, warehouses, and manufacturing facilities where regular heavy lifting is required. The crane operates on elevated runway beams and uses a hoist and trolley system to transport loads safely and efficiently around the working area. Overhead cranes are designed to improve lifting safety, reduce manual handling, and increase productivity in industrial environments.
Why Choose Harold Potter for your Overhead Cranes?
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Established in 1921 with years of experience
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New & Refurbished Overhead Cranes
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LOLER Inspections & Maintenance
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UK wide Crane Installation & Servicing
Established in 1921, Harold Potter has decades of experience designing, manufacturing, installing and maintaining overhead cranes for businesses across the UK. Our team of experienced overhead crane specialists provide tailored lifting solutions, from new crane installations and crane modification projects to refurbishment and servicing of existing industrial crane systems.
We offer a complete range of services, including crane design and manufacture, installation, LOLER inspections, preventative maintenance, breakdown support and obsolete crane spare parts, or for those parts on long delivery, that are urgently needed. With qualified engineers, fast response times and clear communication throughout every project, we help minimise downtime and keep your lifting operations running safely and efficiently.
Our reputation is built on quality workmanship, reliable support and long-term customer relationships. Our successful projects and customer testimonials demonstrating our commitment to delivering dependable overhead crane solutions.
How does an Overhead Crane work?
An overhead crane works by moving a hoist along a horizontal bridge beam while the entire crane travels along runway rails. The hoist lifts and lowers the load vertically using wire rope or chain. The trolley moves the load side to side across the bridge. The bridge itself travels along the runway system to move loads across the full working area. This allows heavy materials to be lifted and transported safely with precise control.
Crane Maintenance and Inspections
Post installation, we also provide servicing and LOLER inspections every 6 or 12 months depending on the type of crane, its usage, and the safe working load (SWL). We offer service contracts that adopt a preventative maintenance strategy. We recommend this strategy as it increases the safety of your operators, reduces the need for urgent repairs, and ultimately lowers your long-term costs. You can read more about crane maintenance and inspection in our preventative maintenance vs reactive maintenance article.
Single vs Double Girder Overhead Cranes
Choosing between a single girder and double girder crane depends on factors such as load capacity, span, and required hook height. Single girders are used for light to medium loads in limited spaces. Double girders are used for more frequent, heavy duty lifting. Our team can advise on the most suitable configuration based on your operational needs.
Key Benefits of an Overhead Crane:
A major benefit of an overhead travelling crane, which we can offer, is custom design & manufacture. We design cranes so it seamlessly transitions into your workspace. For example, designing specific runways that fit your existing building structure. With an overhead crane, you can maximise your warehouse operations floor space as the crane operates on elevated runway beams, leaving your factory floor space for other cranes or machinery. An overhead crane allows for a wide variety of lifting capabilities in awkward and limited spaces, which in turn can help to boost your productivity.
Our Overhead Crane Case Studies
Vistry Works – Coalville in Leicestershire
This project included the installation and modification of multiple overhead cranes with chain hoists and a SWL of 1T. The cranes will be used for the lifting and manufacturing of timber frames in the housing industry. You can read more in our full Vistry Works case study.
Garmendale Engineering – Ilkeston in Derbyshire
This was an installation of two overhead cranes. One crane with a safe working load of 8T and another with a SWL of 7.5T. These cranes are used in the engineering industry, used for the construction of fairground rides and carriages. You can read the full case study in our Garmendale Engineering case study.
Contact Us
From consultation and design through to installation, our experienced team manages the entire process. We also provide ongoing servicing, repairs, and LOLER inspections to keep your equipment safe and compliant.
Do you need a tailored overhead crane for your business?
Call us today on 01159 838 111