LDY Metallurgical Foundry Crane Delivery Case for Casting Workshop

In June 2026, Kelude Heavy Industry completed the delivery of a crane fleet for a large foundry's new workshop, comprising six LDY metallurgical foundry overhead cranes that cover the entire production flow—from melting and pouring to fettling and heat treatment. The total contract value was approximately $415,000, with a design-to-delivery timeline of just 55 days—30% faster than the industry average.

Customer Background & Lifting Requirements

This customer is a large precision foundry in East China, specializing in castings such as automotive engine blocks and gearbox housings, with an annual output of approximately 25,000 tons. After the new workshop went into operation, the following lifting needs were identified:

• Melting section: handling ladles of molten iron (approx. 1450°C), with a lifting capacity of 10t
• Pouring section: handling pouring ladles in sync with the production line, with a lifting capacity of 5t
• Fettling section: handling castings for cleaning, with a lifting capacity of 3t
• Heat treatment section: handling workpieces for normalizing and quenching, with a lifting capacity of 5t (high-temperature and corrosion resistant required)
• Die repair area: die handling, with a lifting capacity of 10t
• Finished goods dispatch area: loading castings onto trucks, with a lifting capacity of 5t

In the tender, the customer specified the following technical requirements for the metallurgical foundry cranes:

1. The hoisting mechanism must be equipped with dual brakes (mandatory requirement per YB/T 5031-2018)
2. Motor insulation class must be Class H or higher (temperature rating of 180°C)
3. The bottom of the main girder must be fitted with a stainless steel heat reflector plate
4. Wire ropes must have manganese-based phosphated coating, rated for temperatures ≥200°C
5. Power supply via angle-iron conductor rail (∠40×4), with enclosed conductor rail as a future upgrade option
6. Crane rail must be P38 rail; light rail is not permitted

Solution Configuration

Based on the actual operating conditions at each workstation, Kelude Heavy Industry's engineering team proposed the following configuration:

Project Highlights

1. High-Temperature-Resistant Design for the Melting Station

The melting station is located approximately 8 m from the electric arc furnace, with ambient temperatures consistently ranging from 60 to 80°C and radiant heat from the molten iron ladle exceeding 1,000°C. To address this, the 10t LDY crane at this station received the following upgrades:

• 304 stainless steel heat-reflective panels installed on the underside of the main girder, with a reflectivity of ≥85%
• Electrical cabinet relocated to the column side of the workshop, away from the heat source
• Electric hoist wire rope grooves coated with molybdenum disulfide high-temperature grease
• Hook block upgraded to 35CrMo alloy steel with a surface hardness of HRC35–40

2. Anti-Corrosion Configuration for the Heat Treatment Station

The heat treatment section generates quenching salt mist and tempering oxide scale dust, which are highly corrosive to the crane's wire ropes and electrical system. The 5t LDY crane serving this area is equipped with:

• Phosphated wire rope surfaces with a rust-preventive oil coating
• Electrical components upgraded to IP55 protection rating
• Dust covers added to the bridge drive motors

3. Dual Operation Modes: Radio Remote Control and Pendant

All six LDY cranes come standard with dual-mode operation: 2.4 GHz industrial-grade radio remote control (effective range ≥100 m) plus a floor pendant. For pouring stations, operators are advised to use the remote control from a safe distance, while the melting station is equipped with a high-temperature-resistant remote control unit.

Delivery and Acceptance

The contract was signed in April 2026, with full delivery and installation completed by mid-June:

• Days 1–30: Solution design confirmation, material procurement, and steel structure fabrication
• Days 31–45: Electric hoist assembly, electrical system commissioning, and in-house testing
• Days 46–50: Equipment transport to site and crane rail installation
• Days 51–55: Full crane erection, electrical wiring, and load testing

All six LDY metallurgical foundry cranes passed the load test at the first attempt, verified unit by unit in accordance with TSG 51-2023 safety technical regulations. The customer has signed the acceptance report and released the final payment. The equipment has now been in normal operation for approximately three weeks, with workshop production capacity up by around 40%.

If your foundry is considering purchasing or upgrading a metallurgical crane, contact the Kelude selection engineers with your workshop span, load weight, and station temperature parameters. We will provide a solution design and quotation within two working days.

FAQ

Q: Is a metallurgical foundry crane mandatory in a casting workshop? Can a standard LD-type crane be used instead?

A: If the workshop involves lifting and transporting molten metal (e.g., iron or steel ladles), a metallurgical foundry crane is mandatory. Under the mandatory provisions of YB/T 5031-2018, the hoisting mechanism for molten metal must be equipped with a dual-brake system, and motor insulation must be rated Class H or higher. Standard LD-type cranes have only a single brake, which poses a serious safety hazard in high-temperature environments.

Q: How long does it take from order to delivery for a metallurgical foundry crane?

A: Kelude standard-spec LDY cranes (≤10t / ≤22.5m span) are delivered within 30–45 working days after contract signing. Custom-engineered units typically take 45–60 working days. Installation and commissioning require 3–7 working days. We recommend initiating the crane procurement process during the civil construction phase of your workshop.

Q: What should be considered when installing multiple cranes in one workshop?

A: When multiple cranes operate on the same runway, the following points should be addressed: ① anti-collision devices must be installed on cranes sharing the same bay; ② each crane should have a dedicated power supply via its own conductor rail; ③ rail joint positions should be staggered; ④ the main power supply capacity must be calculated based on the maximum number of cranes operating simultaneously.

Q: What procedures are required after delivery before the crane can be legally put into operation?

A: Under TSG 51-2023, a metallurgical foundry crane must undergo the following before being put into service: ① installation supervision inspection by a qualified inspection body; ② use registration within 30 days of passing the inspection; ③ obtaining the Special Equipment Use Registration Certificate. Kelude provides full support throughout the inspection and registration process.