LDX Electric Single-Girder Crane – New Chinese Standard Design
The LDX New-Chinese Electric Single-Girder Crane combines European compact design with the practical demands of domestic working conditions, delivering a 20–35% reduction in dead weight over conventional LD Type cranes and cutting overall energy consumption by more than 35%. This model features a modular design in which the main girder, end carriage, drive mechanism, and electrical control system are all manufactured to standardized modules, achieving a component commonality rate of over 75%. Standard specifications can be delivered in just 15–20 working days. With precision hardened tooth flank gearing paired with intelligent frequency conversion control, the savings in electricity and maintenance costs over 2–3 years are enough to recover the price difference. The LDX New-Chinese series from Kelude Heavy Industry has become the ideal upgrade over traditional LD Type cranes.
The LDX New-Chinese Electric Single-Girder Crane is a new-generation single-girder crane developed by Kelude Heavy Industry, integrating advanced European crane design concepts with the real-world operating conditions of Chinese industrial factory buildings, and developed using serialized, standardized, and modular design theory. Building on the proven reliability and durability of the traditional LD Type, this model incorporates modern technologies such as FEA optimization, precision hardened tooth flank gearing, and intelligent frequency conversion control, achieving a qualitative leap in lightweight design, energy efficiency, and maintenance-free operation. With its outstanding overall cost-performance ratio, the LDX New-Chinese series has become the ideal upgrade over traditional LD Type cranes for small- and medium-tonnage workshops, warehouses, and logistics applications.
What the "New-Chinese" Design Philosophy Means
The term "New-Chinese" does not simply mean copying European standards. Rather, it draws on the technical strengths of European cranes—compact structure, low wheel load, and high energy efficiency—while fully accounting for the realities of the Chinese market: varying factory building heights, differing operator skill levels, and the high demands placed on spare parts supply and after-sales response speed. The result is a pragmatic, comprehensive optimization approach:
- European concepts, localized for China: A European compact hoist and optimized main girder cross-section effectively reduce headroom, making better use of factory building space. However, the electrical system and safety protections are redesigned to align with domestic practices and standards (GB/T 3811, GB/T 14405), ensuring operation and maintenance are more intuitive for domestic users.
- Modular production: The main girder, end carriage, drive mechanism, and electrical control system are all designed as standardized modules. The component commonality rate across different capacities and spans exceeds 75%, significantly shortening delivery lead times (15–20 working days for standard specifications).
- Optimized total lifecycle cost: Rather than pursuing extreme weight reduction at any cost, the design strikes a balance between reliability (design life ≥20 years) and economy—overall energy consumption is reduced by more than 35% compared to national-standard LD Type cranes, maintenance costs are cut by 45%, and the savings in electricity and maintenance over 2–3 years are enough to recover the price difference.
Upgrade Comparison with Traditional LD Type
| Comparison Item | Conventional LD Type | LDXNew Chinese Style | Improvement Magnitude |
| Main Girder Uniform Cross-Section | Standard Box Section(Uniform Cross-Section) | Optimized Box Section(Tapered Cross-Section/Offset Rail Design) | Dead Weight Reduction 20~35% |
| Gearbox / Reducer | soft tooth flank/Mediumhardened tooth flank | hardened tooth flank Gear Grinding(20CrMnTiCarburizing) | Transmission Efficiency≥95%, Extended Service Life 3 Times |
| Electric Hoist | CD1/MD1 Type | European Compact Design(Low headroom/Module Optimization) | Headroom Reduction 15~30% |
| Control Mode | Contactor+relay control | Variable Frequency Speed Control+PLC(Optional) | Positioning Accuracy Improved, Energy Consumption Reduced 35% |
| Wheel | cast steel wheel(HB240~300) | Forged Steel Quenching Wheel(HRC45~50) | Extended Service Life 2~3 Times |
| Protection Rating (IP) | IP44 | IP55 | Enhanced Dust Resistance/Humid Environment |
| Maintenance Interval | Per 3 Months | Per 6~12Months | Reduced Maintenance Frequency 50~60% |
Core Features & Advantages
1. Compact Structure, Maximized Space Utilization
Technical Director's Note — Kelude Heavy Industry
"The LDX Series is our in-house developed flagship product line, highly competitive in the mid-range market. Take a recent project supplying 20 units of LDX5-16m to an automotive parts manufacturer — the customer previously used conventional LD Type cranes, with average annual electricity costs of approximately ¥8,200 per unit and maintenance costs of ¥3,500. After switching to the LDX Series, annual electricity dropped to ¥5,300 (-35%) and maintenance to ¥1,900 (-46%), saving roughly ¥4,500 per crane per year on electricity and maintenance alone. Across 20 units, that's about ¥90,000 in annual savings — enough to recover the price difference within 2 years."
— Mr. Wang, Technical Department, Kelude Heavy Industry
The LDX Series features a European-style compact electric hoist and an optimized box-type main girder, reducing the overall height by approximately 20% compared to conventional LD Type cranes. The minimum distance from the hook to the rail surface is significantly reduced, allowing for 0.5 to 1 meter of additional effective lifting height under the same workshop height conditions. This advantage is particularly notable in retrofit projects — existing factory buildings can accommodate higher lifting requirements without structural modifications.
2. Variable Frequency Drive for Smooth Operation
Standard equipment includes a variable-frequency speed control system (for hoisting, crane bridge, and trolley travel mechanisms), ensuring smooth acceleration and deceleration without impact, with load swing controlled within ±50mm. Hoisting speed is infinitely adjustable from 0.5 to 8m/min, automatically switching to low speed under full load and increasing speed when empty or lightly loaded — balancing safety and efficiency. The VFD features built-in overcurrent, overvoltage, and overtemperature protection, is compatible with host computer monitoring systems, and supports RS485/Modbus communication expansion.
3. Maintenance-Free Design, Low Operating Costs
The drive system uses hardened tooth flank ground gearboxes (gear accuracy grade 6, 20CrMnTi carburized and quenched), pre-filled with long-life synthetic lubricating oil at the factory — no oil change required for 5 years under normal operating conditions. The wheels are forged steel with quenched tread surfaces (HRC45~50 hardness), offering 2 to 3 times better wear resistance than traditional cast steel wheels. Both the electric hoist gearbox and travel motor bearings use sealed, maintenance-free bearings. Overall maintenance costs are approximately 45% lower than conventional LD Type cranes.
4. Multi-Layered Safety Protection
The entire crane is designed in accordance with GB/T 3811 Crane Design Standard and GB/T 14405, with a design service life of ≥20 years. Standard safety devices include: Overload Limiter (pre-alarm at 110% of rated load, cuts hoisting up and travel mechanisms at 125%), Lifting Height Limit Switch (dual redundancy with counterweight-type switch plus power-off protection), travel limit switches for both crane bridge and trolley, Emergency Stop Button, Phase Sequence Protection, Overload Protection, and phase-sequence protection. Operation modes include wireless remote control plus wired pendant control as backup. The remote control operates at 430~470MHz with a line-of-sight range of ≥100 meters.
5. Green & Energy-Efficient
Through lightweight design that reduces drive power requirements, combined with energy optimization strategies in the variable-frequency speed control system, overall energy consumption is reduced by over 35% compared to standard LD Type cranes. Primary structural materials are Q235B/Q355B (weathering steel optional), all components comply with RoHS environmental requirements, and the paint system uses water-based eco-friendly coatings (VOC content ≤100g/L). The crane achieves a recyclability rate of ≥90%.
Technical Parameters
Applicable Environmental Conditions
| Parameter Item | Technology Indicator | |
| Ambient Temperature | -10°C ~ +40°C | |
| Relative Humidity ≤85%(at 25°C) | ||
| Power Supply Power Supply | AC 380V±10%,50Hz, Three-Phase Four-Wire Work Duty | A5(Customizable A3/A4) |
| Protection Rating (IP) Complete Machine IP55, Electrical Cabinet IP54 | ||
| Insulation Class F | ||
| Applicable Altitude | ≤2000m |
For detailed lifting capacity, span, and speed parameters, refer to the Technical Specifications table above (1–20t, spans 7.5–25.5m).
Structural Breakdown
Main Girder: Box-section welded steel plate structure, material Q355B (formerly Q345B). Features a variable cross-section design — maximum section height at mid-span, tapering toward both ends — to meet strength and stiffness requirements with minimal steel usage. The camber of the main girder is controlled per GB/T 14405, with no-load mid-span camber set at 1/800 to 1/1200 of the span. A rail (P-type railway rail) is laid on the top flange to carry the electric hoist.
End Carriage: Sealed box-section structure, material Q235B. The driven end carriage is fitted with an integrated drive unit (gearbox motor + brake in one), while the non-driven end is equipped with a driven wheel set. Wheel tread hardness is HRC45–50, and bearings are Spherical Roller Bearings. Both ends of the end carriage are fitted with Polyurethane buffers and buffer stops to absorb impact energy at extreme positions.
Electric Hoist: European-style compact electric hoist. The hoisting motor is a Conical-Rotor Brake Motor (or disc brake motor), and the gearbox features two- or three-stage gear transmission. The drum is a welded steel plate structure with machined rope grooves. The Wire Rope has a safety factor of ≥6:1, is neatly spooled, and is equipped with rope retainers and anti-loosening devices. The hook is forged from DG20 high-grade steel and features a Hook Latch and overload indicator.
Electrical Control System: The main electrical control cabinet is mounted on the operator-side walkway along the main girder (or at the end carriage), with an IP54 Protection rating. Key electrical components are sourced from reputable brands such as Schneider and CHINT. The main circuit is protected against overload and short circuit via a Circuit Breaker + Contactor + Thermal Overload Relay combination. The control circuit operates at AC 36V (safety voltage) with transformer isolation. Cables used are crane-specific Flat Cables (for crane bridge power supply) and suspended cables (for trolley power supply), guided by Cable Trolleys or cable pulley blocks.
Industries & Service
The LDX Type New-Style Electric Single-Girder Crane is widely used in the following applications:
- Machinery Manufacturing: Mold workshops (1–5t), Machining Workshops (5–10t), Assembly Workshops (3–10t) — Variable Frequency Speed Control with inching function is recommended for precise, smooth handling of molds and workpieces.
- Warehousing & Logistics: Steel storage yards (10–20t), finished goods warehouses (3–10t), cold storage (custom Low-Temperature Type available) — paired with electric hoist hooks or C-hook spreaders for fast loading and unloading.
- Building Materials: Steel structure fabrication (5–16t), precast concrete components (10–20t) — optional Wireless remote control and extended Lifting Height configurations available.
- Metallurgy Support: Small steel mills / foundries (10–20t) — upgradable to metallurgical-grade configuration (heat shields, high-temperature resistant motor, Double Brake).
- New Energy: Lithium battery production lines (cleanroom customization), solar PV module lines (3–5t with VFD configuration).
Kelude Heavy Industry provides full lifecycle support for the LDX Type — from solution selection, non-standard customization, manufacturing, installation, TSG inspection, to After-Sales Service and maintenance. Free On-Site Installation and commissioning nationwide, 12-month warranty on the complete crane (18 months on core electric hoist components), and After-Sales Service response within 24 hours.
For a detailed LDX Type New-Style Electric Single-Girder Crane Technical Solution, layout design, or customized Quotation, please contact the Kelude Heavy Industry engineering department. We will provide the optimal configuration based on your actual operating conditions.
FAQ
Q: What's the difference between the LDX New-Style and European-style cranes?
A: The LDX New-Style incorporates the essence of European compact design (Low headroom, lightweight design, hardened tooth flank transmission) but re-engineers the electrical system and safety protection to Chinese standards (GB/T 3811, GB/T 14405). Key differences: European models use imported component systems (ABM/SEW, etc.), while the LDX uses leading domestic brands (Inovance VFDs, CHINT electrical, etc.), resulting in 15–25% lower overall cost — a better fit for domestic budgets.
Q: What are the benefits of the LDX Variable Frequency Speed Control?
A: Standard configuration includes VFD on all three motions (hoisting / long travel / cross travel) with a 1:10 speed ratio and adjustable acceleration/deceleration. Inverter drive ensures smooth, shock-free operation with load sway controlled to within ±50mm. Under full load, the system automatically shifts to low speed; under no-load or light load, it automatically increases speed — balancing safety and efficiency. The VFD system includes built-in overcurrent, overvoltage, and overheat protection, and supports RS485/Modbus expansion. Compared to fixed-speed operation, energy savings reach 20–30%.
Q: What are the maintenance intervals and costs?
A: The hardened tooth flank gearbox is filled with long-life synthetic Lubricating Oil at the factory and requires no replacement for 5 years. Forged steel quenched wheels last 2–3 times longer than traditional cast steel wheels. Both the hoist gearbox and travel motor bearings use sealed, maintenance-free bearings. Annual maintenance costs are only 45–55% of a traditional LD Type crane. A routine inspection (electrical connections, Wire Rope, brake pad wear) is recommended every 6–12 months.
Q: Can the LDX be customized with an Explosion-proof configuration?
A: Yes. Kelude Heavy Industry offers Ex tb IIIC T3/T4 Explosion Protection Class configurations suitable for combustible Dusty Environment Service (e.g., flour mills, chemical plants). The Explosion-proof package includes: explosion-proof motor (Ex d IIB T4), Explosion-Proof Electrical control cabinet, explosion-proof Remote Control, copper alloy hook (spark-resistant), and conductive rubber anti-static wheels, among others. Delivery time for Explosion-proof models is extended by 10–15 working days.
