Crane Solutions for Paper Mills: Pulping, Papermaking & Warehousing
At a Glance: Kelude Heavy Industry supplies crane configurations for every stage of paper production—pulping, papermaking, finishing, and finished-goods warehousing—with lifting capacities from 3 to 50 short tons and spans from 10 to 36 m. A complete plant-wide lifting equipment investment typically ranges from $30,000 to $445,000. The pulping area uses grab-equipped overhead cranes (5–16 t), the papermaking area relies on heavy-duty overhead cranes (16–50 t) for dryer and roll changes, the finishing area is fitted with LD type single-girder cranes (5–16 t), and the warehousing area uses MH type gantry cranes (10–20 t)—a package built for continuous production, high-humidity environments, and heavy roll handling.
Key Points Crane solutions for the four stages of paper production: ① Pulping—LD type or grab overhead cranes, 10 t to 32 t, with moisture-proof features for waste paper handling; ② Papermaking—LH/QD type overhead cranes, 16 t to 50 t, offering wide-span coverage; ③ Finishing—LD type cranes, 5 t to 16 t, for paper roll handling; ④ Warehousing—MH type cranes, 5 t to 16 t, fitted with clamp lifting spreaders. Kelude Heavy Industry supplies grab buckets, clamps, and moisture-proof motors as standard options.
Crane Solutions for the Paper Industry
Pulping | Papermaking | Finishing | Warehousing
Complete crane solutions covering pulping, papermaking, finishing, and warehousing for the paper industry.
Application 1: Pulping Area
• Lifting capacity: 10 t to 32 t, LD type or grab overhead crane
• Waste paper and pulp sheet handling
• Pulper and refiner maintenance
• High humidity / moisture-proof design
Raw Material Handling | High Humidity
Application 2: Papermaking Area
• Lifting capacity: 16 t to 50 t, LH/QD type overhead crane
• Paper machine and roll replacement
• Wide span / full bay coverage
• Moisture resistant / corrosion resistant
Machine Maintenance | Wide Span
Application 3: Finishing Area
• Lifting capacity: 5 t to 16 t, LD type with hoist
• Paper roll handling and packaging
• Rewinding machine and sheeter support
• Lightweight / flexible operation
Roll Handling | Flexibility
Application 4: Finished-Goods Warehousing
• Lifting capacity: 5 t to 16 t, MH type with hoist
• Roll stacking and shipping
• Clamp-type lifting spreader
• Fire resistant / waterproof
Roll Storage | Waterproof
Paper Roll Stacking | Clamp (Gripper)
Selection Parameters: Four-Zone Comparison
| Parameter Item | Pulping | Paper Forming | Finishing | Warehousing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| recommended model | LD Type/Grab (grab bucket) | LH/QD type overhead crane | LD Type/Hoist | MH Type/Hoist |
| Lifting Capacity | 10t~32t | 16t~50t | 5t~16t | 5t~16t |
| special requirements | Grab (grab bucket)/Moisture-Proof | Large Span/Anti-corrosion | Paper Roll Handling | clamp (gripper)Lifting spreader |
Lifting Challenges Across Papermaking Stages
The four core stages of papermaking—pulping, paper forming, finishing, and warehousing—place vastly different demands on lifting equipment. The pulping area (stock preparation, cooking, washing, screening, and bleaching) presents the harshest environment: high temperature and humidity (40–60°C, 80–95% relative humidity), corrosive chemicals (alkali liquor, chlorine gas, chlorine dioxide), and heavy fiber dust. Cranes here must use moisture-proof, corrosion-resistant motors (IP55 or higher, totally enclosed fan-cooled), hot-dip galvanized crane rails, and pressurized electrical cabinets to keep corrosive gases out. The recommended solution is an LD-type single-girder electric crane (3–10t capacity) with regular cleaning of accumulated dust on the rails. The paper machine hall (approach flow, wire section, press section, dryer section, calender, and reel) is the heart of the mill—paper machines can reach 100–300m in length and 6–10m in width, requiring large-span overhead cranes for maintenance coverage over the entire machine. Recommended options include LH-type hoist cranes or QD-type double-girder bridge cranes (10–32t capacity, 22–35m span) with two-speed hoisting (creep speed ≤1m/min for precise positioning). The operator cab must be air-conditioned (hall temperatures can reach 45°C) and fitted with anti-fog glass due to high humidity. The finishing section (rewinding, sheeting, sorting, and wrapping) is dominated by paper roll handling—each roll weighs 0.5–3t. Cranes must be equipped with dedicated roll-handling attachments (C-hooks or a combination of vacuum lifters and clamp arms) to prevent edge damage. A KBK light crane system (1–5t capacity) is recommended here for its flexibility and high efficiency. In the warehousing area (finished roll storage and retrieval), MH-type gantry cranes (5–16t capacity, 12–30m span) with clamp-type roll fixtures are the preferred choice. The hydraulic clamping force is adjustable to prevent roll deformation, and outdoor storage yards require wind-resistant, anti-overturning design. Kelude Heavy Industry offers a full-process lifting solution tailored to the humidity, corrosion grade, and capacity requirements of each papermaking stage—from corrosion-resistant cranes for pulping to large-span bridge cranes for machine maintenance and gantry cranes for storage.
