Overhead cranes are the most versatile mechanical handling systems available.

They can handle a variety of loads, give access to the whole floor or yard area and do not occupy floor space or require roadways or parking areas.
Industrial cranes are a substantial capital investment, and if properly installed and serviced can operate for 20 to 30 years. It is therefore important to match the crane to production needs – now and in the future.
“It is also critical to consider the special operational needs of the user and select a crane supplier who can maintain the system efficiently and economically. Often a crane that has a low initial cost may cope with immediate lifting demands placed on it. However, if future capacity is not anticipated, then keeping the crane in working order will be far more expensive than a correctly specified crane from the outset. Whole life cost, not initial cost is the vital factor to consider.
Cranes can vary enormously in cost and complexity. Take, for example, the needs of a power station and a cast concrete yard. Each may require a 20-tonne crane, but the usage in each case will vary.
The power station crane will be used intensively during the build-up of the turbines. After that, it may be used infrequently during periodic turbine maintenance. The concrete yard crane, on the other hand, will be in intensive use every day. It is critical to the operation of the business, and so it must be designed from the outset with structures and mechanical components that will withstand continuous use in a very harsh environment.
 The relationship between the crane supplier and customer should start at the project planning stage. The process should look beyond the basic specification to see how each crane will be used, now and into the future. This way crane designers can examine all  possible solutions and provide a long-term and low-maintenance crane.

International partnership
Ace Crane Systems' trading partnership with Street Crane Company, UK allows it to offer clients access to crane expertise gained from over 55 years supplying cranes to industries from metal manufacture and fabrication to construction and automotive manufacture.
This experience is incorporated in the Street design software used by Ace Crane. Using this software, Ace can design cranes that meet current and future client needs, that will operate with less stress to components so that working life is prolonged and service needs minimised. The software gives access to a huge database of pre-engineered Street components including structural and mechanical elements.
Ace Crane fabricate structures to Street’s design in Dubai. This provides the advantage of Street’s design expertise with the competitiveness and delivery speed of local manufacture. Street supplies hoists, controls and other mechanical components from the UK, so that the entire system complies with British Standards (BS) and provides world-class performance. This includes the Street ZX range of hoists rated from 0 to 25 tonnes and the Street VX heavy-duty open barrel winch.

Maintenance and upgrades
Ace’s philosophy of openness has helped it win many service contracts. In addition to Street equipment, they can also service other makes of cranes, which include Juma Al Majid Block Factory and Bruntonshaw Middle East. Ace is also actively involved in the overhaul and refurbishment of cranes at Dubal for SNC Lavin.
The choice of crane supply and service partner is critical to long-term performance and minimising cost of ownership. An ideal supplier will take time to understand his client’s needs, will be able to offer a variety of solutions and will put forward the technical solution that meets current and future needs, so that long-term performance is maximised and service requirements minimized.