15 Ton vs 25 Ton vs 32 Ton Coil Handling Cranes
Which Capacity Do You Really Need?

Lifting a coil isn't static. Every movement introduces dynamic forces that increase the effective load on the crane. These include:

• Start/stop inertia: When the crane starts or stops, motors and mechanical components experience extra stress. The heavier the coil, the greater the impact.
• Travel and positioning forces: Moving the load across the workshop or positioning it onto racks adds lateral forces that the crane must handle safely.
• Load swing and braking forces: Even a small swing can create a spike in load weight. Proper deceleration and anti-sway measures are crucial for safe placement.
• Recommended safety margin (10–25%): Experts generally recommend adding a 10–25% safety factor above the total calculated load. This ensures the crane handles occasional heavier coils, uneven loads, or unexpected operational forces without risk.

The rated capacity of your coil handling crane must cover the total working load, not just the nominal coil weight. Failing to account for clamps, rigging, and dynamic factors can lead to unsafe operations, excessive wear, and reduced crane lifespan.

• Common in mid-size steel service centers, slitting lines, and finishing operations.
• Includes standard cold-rolled and hot-rolled coils used in general fabrication.
• Most facilities use 25-ton cranes for these coils to cover clamp weight and provide a safety margin.

• Found in hot rolling mill output yards, heavy-gauge steel production, and export storage yards.
• Often require 32-ton cranes, particularly when handling wide or thick coils with motorized clamps.
• Critical to plan for dynamic loads and potential coil weight increases over time.

Many buyers focus only on the average coil weight in their current operation, which can create problems:

Designing for average weight only

• The crane may perform well most of the time, but heavy or unusual coils can overload it.
• This leads to slowed operations, increased wear, or even forced downtime.

Ignoring peak or future coil sizes

• Coil dimensions and weights often change with new production orders.
• Facilities that don't plan for maximum load risk frequent under-capacity scenarios and safety issues.

Practical insight: Always consider both current and potential future coil weights, plus clamp and dynamic load, when selecting crane capacity. This ensures your investment remains safe and effective for years.

The 15-ton crane works well when your lifting requirements are consistent and predictable:

• Coil weight usually below 12 tons: Leaves a small but acceptable safety margin for clamp and rigging weight.
• Limited lift height and moderate frequency: Ideal for operations where coils are not stacked too high and the number of lifts per shift is moderate.

Remember: The rated capacity should always exceed the total working load, including clamps and dynamic forces.

Selecting a 15-ton crane outside its practical window can lead to problems that affect both safety and productivity:

• No margin for heavier coils: A heavier coil than expected can overload the crane, triggering alarms or causing unsafe conditions.
• Clamp weight consumes available capacity: Mechanical or motorized clamps add significant weight, which reduces the effective lifting margin.
• Shortened equipment lifespan: Constantly lifting near maximum capacity accelerates wear on motors, brakes, wire ropes, and other mechanical components.

Practical insight: A 15-ton crane is best for light-duty, predictable operations. If your coil weights occasionally exceed 12 tons or the workflow is heavy, it's safer and more efficient to consider a 25-ton crane instead.

Choosing 25 tons is not arbitrary—it's based on real operational factors:

• Handles 18–22 ton coils comfortably: Provides enough room above the average coil weight for safe lifting.
• Allows clamp weight and dynamic load allowance: Mechanical or motorized clamps, plus inertia and travel forces, are easily managed within the 25-ton rating.
• Balanced cost vs. capability: Avoids overspending on heavier cranes while still accommodating most medium-to-heavy coils in daily operations.

Pro tip: Many facilities initially plan for a 20-ton crane but upgrade to 25 tons for practical safety margins.

In practice, the 25-ton crane has become the industry standard because it avoids common operational headaches:

• Many 25T buyers originally planned for 20T: They realized 20 tons left little margin for clamps, dynamic loads, or heavier-than-average coils.
• 25T avoids immediate upgrades and restrictions: Investing in 25 tons from the start allows a facility to handle a wider range of coil sizes and future production increases without downtime.

Key takeaway: The 25-ton crane offers versatility, safety, and operational efficiency, making it the most widely chosen capacity for general steel coil handling.

The choice of 32 tons is based on practical operational needs, not simply on the heaviest coil produced:

• Covers 25–30+ ton coils safely: Provides a sufficient safety margin above typical maximum coil weight.
• Necessary when clamp weight exceeds 2–3 tons: Motorized or adjustable clamps add significant weight to the total load, which a 25-ton crane may not handle comfortably.
• Supports higher duty classes and future expansion: Facilities planning for higher lifting frequency, future production increases, or larger coils benefit from the extra capacity.

Pro tip: Oversizing slightly is better than under-sizing. A 32-ton crane can handle heavier loads safely without being constantly stressed.

Many buyers assume that a 32-ton crane is only needed if coils weigh 32 tons. In reality:

• Safety margin is often the main reason: The crane handles dynamic loads, clamp weight, and occasional heavier coils.
• Future-proofing is key: Selecting 32 tons allows flexibility for heavier or wider coils in future operations without downtime or equipment upgrades.

Key takeaway: The 32-ton crane is about confidence and long-term operational safety, not just matching the exact coil weight.

Ideal for: Most steel service centers and medium-weight, mixed coil inventories.

• Typical coil weight: 12–22 tons
• Clamp suitability: Mechanical or motorized clamps (~2.5 tons)
• Safety margin: Moderate and practical for daily operations
• Upgrade flexibility: Can handle moderate future increases
• Long-term risk: Balanced with proper maintenance

Practical tip: 25T is the most common choice because it balances cost, safety, and flexibility.

Ideal for: Heavy-duty operations and high-density coil handling environments.

• Typical coil weight: 20–30+ tons
• Clamp suitability: Heavy motorized or adjustable clamps (2–3+ tons)
• Safety margin: High; handles dynamic and peak loads comfortably
• Upgrade flexibility: High; future-proof for expansion
• Long-term risk: Low; designed for frequent heavy-duty operation

Practical tip: 32T is often selected for safety margin and future growth—not because coils weigh exactly 32 tons.

• 15T: Suitable only for light coils with minimal variation
• 25T: Most versatile and widely adopted solution
• 32T: Best for heavy coils, high safety margin, and long-term confidence

Recommendation: Always size your crane based on the heaviest coil + clamp weight + dynamic load, not average daily weight.

Lifting attachments are often overlooked during capacity calculation.

• Problem: A 1–3 ton clamp can consume a significant portion of crane capacity without operators realizing it.
• Tip: Include all clamps, hooks, spreaders, and rigging components in the total working load.

Capacity alone does not define crane suitability—usage frequency matters.

• Problem: Cranes rated for occasional lifting wear rapidly when used continuously.
• Tip: Confirm duty class (ISO/FEM) based on lifts per hour, per shift, and per day.

Lowest purchase price does not equal lowest lifecycle cost.

• Problem: Budget cranes can result in higher maintenance, downtime, and early replacement.
• Tip: Evaluate total cost of ownership, including maintenance, energy, and upgrade costs.

Coil sizes and production volumes often increase over time.

• Problem: A crane sized only for today's needs quickly becomes a bottleneck.
• Tip: Add a 10–25% safety margin to accommodate heavier coils and future expansion.

• Always size cranes based on total working load, not nominal coil weight.
• Consider clamp weight, duty cycle, and long-term operational demands.
• A properly selected crane delivers higher safety, better efficiency, and longer service life.

Operators may need to slow down lifts to avoid overloading motors or gearboxes, which impacts cycle time and efficiency.

Components like wire ropes, brakes, gears, and hoists experience accelerated wear, shortening equipment life.

Frequent servicing is required to address wear and tear, leading to unexpected downtime and higher operational costs.

Overloaded or stressed cranes are more likely to swing loads uncontrollably, misalign, or fail under stress, endangering personnel and damaging steel coils.

Under-sized cranes do not fail immediately. They fail gradually over time and most often during peak operations when clamps, dynamic loads, and heavier-than-average coils combine. The result is inefficient operation, higher costs, and increased safety hazards.

• Always consider total working load: coil weight + clamp/rigging weight + dynamic factors.
• Include future-proofing: plan for heavier coils, higher lift frequency, and possible operational changes.
• Investing in the correct crane capacity from the start ensures safer operation, smoother workflow, and longer equipment life.

Mechanical, motorized, or adjustable clamps. Motorized clamps may add 2–3+ tons, affecting total working load.

Recommended 10–25% above total load. Covers dynamic forces, start/stop inertia, and occasional heavier coils.

ISO/FEM duty rating. High-frequency lifting may require higher duty class to ensure longevity.

Crane span and maximum lifting height. Ensure proper coverage for storage areas, stacks, and future expansion.

• Always calculate total working load: coil weight + clamp + rigging + dynamic factors.
• Include a safety margin to avoid under-sizing and reduce long-term wear.
• Confirm duty class to match operational frequency and intensity.
• Check span and height to prevent operational restrictions and allow flexibility.
• Plan for future coil sizes or workflow changes to avoid premature crane replacement.

• Ideal for general-purpose steel coil handling.
• Handles medium-weight coils (12–22 tons) with a safe margin.
• Most common for mixed inventory and standard storage operations.

• Recommended for heavy, wide, or high-density coils.
• Supports larger clamps, dynamic loads, and future upgrades.
• Ensures long-term flexibility and safe operation.

• A correctly sized crane protects people, products, and long-term productivity.
• Consider maximum coil weight, clamp weight, duty frequency, and future production changes before deciding.