Overhead Cranes for OTR Tire & Rim Facilities:
Overhead Crane Full Guide to Choosing, Buying, and Uses
3–100 Ton Overhead Cranes in OTR Tire & Rim Factorys to Warehouses

Raw Material Receiving Yard

• Handles rims, bead wires, and rubber compounds.
• Cranes must support heavy loads, sometimes in outdoor conditions.

Tire Building & Assembly Hall

• Movement of tire carcasses and rim assemblies between stations.
• Cranes need precision placement capabilities to reduce manual handling.

Curing & Press Area

• Requires very high hook heights for loading and unloading presses.
• Typically uses double girder or specialized high-capacity cranes.

Inspection & Finishing Area

• Localized lifting at quality control and finishing stations.
• Single girder or jib cranes are usually sufficient.

Warehouse & Distribution Yard

• Storage of finished tires and rims; loading for shipment.
• Gantry cranes or high-capacity EOT cranes help optimize stacking and container handling.

The main objective is to minimize crane travel, reduce bottlenecks, and ensure smooth operations. A well-designed layout not only improves productivity but also extends crane life and enhances workplace safety.

Many OTR facilities run two or more overhead cranes on the same runway. Without proper control systems, they can bump into each other or even trap a load.

• Anti-Collision Systems: Install electronic limit switches or laser-based sensors to maintain safe distance between cranes.
• Zoning: Divide runways into zones so cranes operate only in their assigned area.
• Operator Training: Teach crane operators how to coordinate moves when sharing a runway.

OTR tires and molds are bulky and sometimes awkward to handle. Load sway can cause dangerous pendulum motion, especially if the aisle is tight.

• Sway Control: Use Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) or automated sway control systems for smooth starts and stops.
• Slow-Speed Hoisting: Precision lifting mode allows careful positioning when working near presses or racks.
• Tag Lines & Guides: For very large tires, guide ropes or mechanical stabilizers keep loads steady.

Crane installations must meet recognized safety and engineering standards — both for the crane itself and for how it integrates with the building.

• OSHA (U.S.): Workplace safety requirements for lifting equipment.
• CE / ISO (Europe & Global): Compliance with European directives and international standards.
• CMAA / FEM Classifications: Define crane duty cycle and structural design requirements.
• Inspection & Maintenance Plans: Schedule regular checks to meet compliance and avoid costly shutdowns.

Practical Tip

Plan for safety early in the design stage. It's far cheaper to design proper clearances and install collision systems up front than to retrofit later after an accident or near miss.

• Emphasis on integrating cranes with automated material flow systems.
• Smart crane controls and predictive maintenance reduce downtime.
• Optimized layouts for both manufacturing floors and warehouse zones ensure smooth, uninterrupted operations.

• Strong focus on safety standards and regulatory compliance.
• Modular runway and bridge designs allow for easier upgrades or facility expansions.
• Planning prioritizes minimal obstruction, clear crane paths, and safe interaction with forklifts and personnel.

• Specializes in solutions for constrained or non-standard buildings.
• Custom layouts ensure full coverage even in narrow or low-headroom spaces.
• Ideal for facilities requiring a mix of heavy lifts and localized handling.

By examining these global best practices, buyers can identify approaches that fit their facility type, operational needs, and budget. Adopting lessons from international leaders often results in safer, more efficient, and cost-effective crane operations.

Before selecting and installing cranes, buyers should follow a practical checklist to ensure smooth operations and future-proof their facility.

• Map Material Flow: Understand all pickup and drop-off points to plan efficient crane travel paths before finalizing the building layout.
• Match Crane Span: Ensure cranes cover the maximum working area with minimal dead zones to reduce manual handling and improve workflow.
• Plan for Expansion: Design runways and foundations to accommodate additional cranes or increased load capacity in the future.
• Simulate Traffic Flow: Evaluate interactions between cranes, forklifts, and AGVs to prevent congestion and enhance safety.
• Verify Runway Load Capacity: Work with structural engineers to ensure runway beams can safely support the crane and its maximum load.

Real-world examples highlight how proper crane selection and layout planning improve efficiency and safety in OTR facilities.

• Example 1: 30 Ton Double Girder Crane installed with optimized runway placement → resulted in 15% shorter load travel distance, reducing cycle times.
• Example 2: Yard gantry crane repositioned to eliminate forklift bottlenecks → 20% improvement in loading efficiency.
• Example 3: Multi-crane coordination using an anti-collision system → enabled safer simultaneous lifts and reduced risk of accidents.

These examples demonstrate that even high-quality cranes need well-planned layouts and coordination to deliver maximum performance.