China-based overhead crane manufacturer Yuantai Crane has supplied a 1-ton mobile jib crane to a hardware store in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
The installation aims to enhance the efficiency and safety of material handling in the store, which supplies construction materials, power tools, and industrial equipment.
Previously, the store relied on manual lifting and forklifts to move heavy items.
The approach posed a high risk of injury, with 36% of work-related missed-work injuries in the retail sector being attributed to shoulder and back strains from overexertion.
The store’s narrow aisles also hindered the use of traditional overhead cranes and forklifts, slowing material handling during peak hours.
Yuantai designed the crane with a maximum load capacity of 1,000 kg, a three metres boom reach for aisle coverage, and a 360° free-swing rotation for precise load placement.
It is equipped with lockable casters for secure positioning and operates on a 380 V, three-phase, 50 Hz power supply, compatible with the local grid.
Yuantai Crane, in a LinkedIn post stated: “A hardware store replaced manual lifting and forklift maneuvers with our 1-ton mobile jib crane, improving safety and workflow in narrow aisles.”
Safety features of the crane include an overload protection sensor that cuts power when the load exceeds 110% capacity, an emergency stop button that meets ISO 13850 safety standards, and manual locking pins that comply with BS EN 12357.
The features ensure safe operation and prevent structural damage or load drops.
The crane has proven versatile in handling diverse tasks within the store, such as loading cement bags onto delivery trucks, replenishing stock by moving steel beams from ground pallets to shelves and assisting in the assembly of motor casings for pre-sale setup.
By reducing manual lifting, the crane minimises the risk of musculoskeletal disorders, which have been shown to decrease by 35% with mechanically assisted lifting.
Yuantai’s mobile jib crane offers several advantages, including versatile mobility across tight aisles, quick setup with minimal assembly, reduced injury rates, and low maintenance.
The 1-ton mobile jib crane has met the Cambodian hardware store’s critical requirements for load capacity, flexibility, and safety, and increased throughput by 25%.
By replacing manual lifting and forklift manoeuvres, the crane has reduced injury risk and streamlined material flow for small retail operations and light-industry settings.
