LDX Series New Chinese-Style Electric Single-Girder Crane
📌 The LDX-type New Chinese-Style Electric Single-Girder Crane combines European-style compact design with the requirements of domestic operating conditions. Its dead weight is 20–35% lighter than that of the traditional LD-type crane, and its overall energy consumption is reduced by more than 35%.This model features a modular design, with the main beam, end beams, drive mechanism, and electrical control system all manufactured as standardized modules. The parts commonality rate exceeds 75%, and the delivery lead time for standard specifications is only 15 to 20 business days. Thanks to the combination of precision hard-tooth-surface gearing and intelligent variable-frequency control, the cost difference between this equipment and traditional models can be recouped within 2–3 years through savings in electricity and maintenance costs. Krude Heavy Industry’s LDX New Chinese-Style Series has become the ideal upgrade to replace the traditional LD series.
The LDX-type New Chinese-Style Electric Single-Girder Crane is a new-generation single-girder lifting device developed by Krude Heavy Industry by integrating advanced European crane design concepts with the practical operational requirements of Chinese industrial facilities, utilizing serialized, standardized, and modular design principles. Building on the reliability and durability of the traditional LD series, this model incorporates modern technologies such as finite element optimization, precision hard-tooth-surface gearing, and intelligent variable-frequency control, achieving a qualitative leap in areas such as weight reduction, energy efficiency, and maintenance-free operation. With its outstanding overall cost-effectiveness, the LDX New Chinese-Style series has become the ideal upgrade to replace traditional LD-type cranes in small- and medium-tonnage workshops, warehouses, and logistics applications.
“The Essence of the ”New Chinese-Style” Design Philosophy
The so-called ”New Chinese Style” does not simply replicate European standards, but rather draws on the technical essence of European cranes in terms of compact structure, low wheel load, and high energy efficiency, while fully taking into account the actual conditions of the Chinese market— —including varying factory ceiling heights, wide disparities in operator skill levels, and high demands for spare parts availability and after-sales response times—resulting in a practical, comprehensive, and optimized solution:
- Localizing European Concepts:The use of compact European-style hoists and a main girder with an optimized cross-section effectively reduces the headroom, allowing for more efficient use of factory space; however, the electrical system and safety protection features have been redesigned in accordance with domestic practices and standards (GB/T 3811, GB/T 14405) to ensure that operation and maintenance better align with the habits of domestic users.
- Modular Production:The main girder, end girders, drive mechanism, and electrical control system are all designed as standardized modules. The parts commonality rate between different tonnages and spans reaches 75% or higher, significantly shortening the delivery cycle (15–20 business days for standard specifications).
- Best in terms of total life-cycle cost:Rather than pursuing extreme weight reduction at any cost, the design strikes a balance between reliability (design life ≥ 20 years) and cost-effectiveness—total energy consumption is reduced by more than 35% compared to the national standard LD model, and maintenance costs are reduced by 45%. The price difference for the equipment can be recouped within 2 to 3 years through savings on electricity and maintenance costs.
Upgrades Compared to the Traditional LD Model
| Comparison Items | Traditional LD Type | LDX Series New Chinese Style | Percentage Increase |
| Main Beam Cross-Section | Standard Box Section (Constant Cross-Section) | Optimized Car Body Design (Variable Cross-Section/Off-Track Design) | Weight reduction of 20–351 TP3T |
| Gear Reducer | Soft-tooth surface / Medium-hard-tooth surface | Hardened-Surface Gear Grinding (20CrMnTi Carburized) | Transmission efficiency ≥ 95%, service life extended by 3 times |
| Electric Hoist | CD1/MD1 Type | European Compact (Low Headroom/Modular) | Clearance height reduced by 15–301 TP3T |
| Control Method | Contactor + Relay Control | Variable-frequency speed control + PLC (optional) | Improved positioning accuracy, 35% reduction in energy consumption |
| Wheel | Cast Steel Wheels (HB240–300) | Forged and Quenched Railroad Wheels (HRC 45–50) | Service life extended by 2 to 3 times |
| Protection Rating | IP44 | IP55 | Better suited for dusty and humid environments |
| Maintenance Cycle | Every 3 months | Every 6 to 12 months | Maintenance frequency reduced by 50–60% |
Key Features and Benefits
I. Compact design and high space utilization
Comments from the Technical Director of Krude Heavy Industries
“The LDX-series New Chinese-Style line is our flagship product line, developed in-house, and is highly competitive in the mid-range market. Take, for example, a project involving 20 LDX5-16m units supplied to an auto parts manufacturer: the customer previously used the traditional LD series, with average annual electricity costs of approximately 8,200 yuan and maintenance costs of approximately 3,500 yuan per unit. After switching to the LDX model, annual electricity costs dropped to 5,300 yuan (a reduction of 351 TP3T), and maintenance costs fell to 1,900 yuan (a reduction of 461 TP3T), resulting in annual savings of approximately 4,500 yuan per unit on electricity and maintenance alone. With 20 vehicles, the total annual savings amount to approximately 90,000 yuan, allowing the price difference between the two models to be recouped in just two years.”
— Engineer Wang, Technical Department, Krude Heavy Industries
The LDX model features a European-style compact electric hoist and an optimally designed box-type main girder, resulting in an overall height approximately 20% lower than that of the traditional LD model. The minimum distance from the hook to the rail surface is smaller, allowing for an increase in effective lifting height of 0.5 to 1 meter under the same factory ceiling height conditions. This advantage is particularly significant for retrofit projects in existing factories—higher lifting requirements can be met without the need to raise the original factory ceiling.
II. Variable-frequency drive, smooth operation
Comes standard with a variable-frequency speed control system (for hoisting, main travel, and trolley movements), ensuring smooth, shock-free starting and braking, with load sway controlled within ±50 mm. The hoisting speed is continuously adjustable from 0.5 to 8 m/min; the system automatically switches to low speed when lifting at full load and automatically increases speed when lifting no load or a light load, balancing safety and efficiency. The variable-frequency drive features built-in overcurrent, overvoltage, and overheat protection; it is compatible with host computer monitoring systems and supports RS485/Modbus communication expansion.
III. Maintenance-Free Design, Low Operating Costs
The drive system uses a hard-toothed, ground-tooth reducer (gear precision Grade 6, 20CrMnTi carburized and quenched), which is filled with long-lasting synthetic lubricant before leaving the factory; under normal operating conditions, the lubricant does not need to be replaced for 5 years. The wheels are made of forged and quenched steel (tread hardness HRC 45–50), offering 2 to 3 times greater wear resistance than traditional cast steel wheels. Both the electric hoist gearbox and the travel motor bearings use sealed, maintenance-free bearings. Overall maintenance costs are reduced by approximately 45% compared to the traditional LD model.
IV. Multiple Security Measures
The overall design complies with the GB/T 3811 and GB/T 14405 standards, with a design life of ≥20 years. Standard safety devices include: an overload limiter (pre-alarm at 110% rated load; cuts off hoisting and travel mechanisms at 125%), a hoisting height limiter (double redundancy with a counterweight and power-off protection), travel limit switches for the hoist and trolley, an emergency stop button, phase sequence protection, overload protection, and phase reversal protection. The control system features a dual-backup configuration of wireless remote control and wired ground control. The remote control operates at a frequency of 430–470 MHz with a line-of-sight range of ≥100 meters.
V. Green and Energy-Efficient
Thanks to a lightweight design that reduces drive power requirements, combined with energy-optimization strategies using variable-frequency speed control, the machine’s operating energy consumption is reduced by more than 35% compared to the national standard LD model. The main materials used in the unit are Q235B/Q355B (weathering steel is optional); components comply with RoHS environmental requirements; water-based, environmentally friendly paint (VOC content ≤ 100 g/L) is used; and the unit’s recyclability rate is ≥90%.
Technical Specifications
Operating Environmental Conditions
| Parameter Items | Technical Indicators |
| Ambient Temperature | -10°C to +40°C |
| Relative Humidity | ≤851 TP3T (at 25°C) |
| Power Supply | AC 380 V ±101 TP3T, 50 Hz, three-phase four-wire system |
| Job Level | A5 (customizable to A3/A4) |
| Protection Rating | IP55 rating for the entire unit; IP54 rating for the electrical cabinet |
| Insulation Class | Grade F |
| Suitable Altitude | ≤2,000 m |
For detailed load capacity, span, and speed specifications, see the technical specifications table above (1–20 t, span 7.5–25.5 m).
Detailed Explanation of Structural Composition
Main Beam:Welded steel box-section structure made of Q355B steel (formerly Q345B). An optimized variable-section design is employed—with the section height at the midspan being the greatest and gradually tapering toward both ends—to meet strength and stiffness requirements while minimizing steel consumption. The upward camber of the main girder is controlled in accordance with GB/T 14405, with the upward camber at the midspan under no-load conditions ranging from 1/800 to 1/1200 of the span length. Rails (Type P railway rails) are laid on the bottom plate of the main girder to support the operation of electric hoists.
End Beam:Features a closed box-type structure made of Q235B steel. The drive-end beam is equipped with a three-in-one drive unit (integrated gearmotor and brake), while the non-drive end is equipped with a driven wheel set. The wheel tread hardness is HRC 45–50, and self-aligning roller bearings are used. Polyurethane buffers and stop devices are installed at both ends of the end beams to absorb impact energy at the limit positions.
Electric Hoist:A European-style compact electric hoist is used, with a conical-rotor brake motor (or disc brake motor) as the hoisting motor and a two- or three-stage gear reducer. The drum is constructed from rolled and welded steel plate, with rope grooves machined into its surface. The wire rope has a safety factor of ≥6:1, is neatly arranged, and is equipped with a rope clamp and anti-loosening device. The hook is made of DG20 high-quality forged steel and is equipped with an anti-disengagement device and an overload indicator.
Electrical Control System:The main electrical control cabinet is installed on the operator platform on one side of the main girder (or at the end girder). The control cabinet has an IP54 protection rating. Major electrical components are from well-known brands such as Schneider and Zhengtai. The main circuit is equipped with overload and short-circuit protection consisting of a circuit breaker, contactor, and thermal relay. The control circuit operates at 36 V AC (safety voltage) and is equipped with transformer isolation. The cables consist of flat cables specifically designed for cranes (for the main girder power supply) and suspended cables (for the trolley power supply), guided by a cable-dragging trolley or cable pulleys.
Target Industries and Services
The LDX Series New Chinese-Style Electric Single-Girder Crane is widely used in the following scenarios:
- Machine Manufacturing:Mold Shop (1–5 t), Machining Shop (5–10 t), Assembly Shop (3–10 t)—We recommend configuring these with variable-frequency micro-speed functionality to ensure smooth lifting of precision molds and workpieces.
- Warehousing and Logistics:Steel Warehouse (10–20 metric tons), Finished Goods Warehouse (3–10 metric tons), Cold Storage (customizable low-temperature models available) — Designed to work with electric hoist hooks or C-type lifting attachments to enable rapid loading and unloading of materials
- Building Materials Industry:Steel Structure Fabrication (5–16 t), Precast Concrete Components (10–20 t) — Optional wireless remote control and high-lift configuration
- Metallurgical Support:Small Steel Mills/Foundries (10–20 t) — Can be upgraded to a metallurgical configuration (insulation panels, high-temperature-resistant motor, dual brakes)
- New Energy:Lithium-ion battery production workshop (customized cleanroom environment), solar PV module production line (3–5 metric tons, variable-frequency drive configuration)
Krude Heavy Industry provides a full range of services for the LDX model, from solution selection → custom design → manufacturing and installation → TSG inspection → after-sales maintenance. We offer free on-site installation and commissioning nationwide, a 12-month warranty on the entire unit (18 months for core components of the electric hoist), and a 24-hour response time for after-sales service.
To obtainLDX Series New Chinese-Style Electric Single-Girder CraneFor detailed technical specifications, floor plan designs, or customized quotes, please contact the Technical Department at Krude Heavy Industry. We will provide the optimal configuration based on your specific operational requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between the LDX New Chinese-style and European-style designs?
Answer: The LDX-type New Chinese-style elevator incorporates the essence of European compact design (low headroom, lightweight construction, and hardened-tooth gear transmission), but its electrical system and safety protection features have been redesigned in accordance with domestic standards (GB/T 3811, GB/T 14405). Key differences: European models use imported component systems (such as ABM and SEW), while the LDX uses configurations from leading domestic brands (such as Huichuan inverters and Zhengtai electrical components), resulting in a 15–25% lower overall cost, making it better suited to the budgets of domestic customers.
Q: What are the benefits of LDX-type variable-frequency speed control?
Answer: The standard configuration includes three-axis variable-frequency speed control (hoist/main travel/trolley), with a speed ratio of 1:10 and adjustable acceleration for starting and braking. The variable-frequency drive ensures smooth, shock-free operation, with load sway controlled within ±50 mm. The system automatically switches to low speed under full load and automatically increases speed under no-load or light-load conditions, balancing safety and efficiency. The VFD system features built-in overcurrent, overvoltage, and overheat protection, and supports RS485/Modbus expansion. Compared to line-frequency operation, it achieves energy savings of 20–30%.
Q: What are the maintenance intervals and costs?
Answer: The hard-tooth-surface gear reducer is filled with long-lasting synthetic lubricant before leaving the factory and does not require replacement for 5 years. The service life of forged and quenched steel wheels is 2 to 3 times longer than that of traditional cast steel wheels. Both the gear reducer of the electric hoist and the drive motor use sealed, maintenance-free bearings. The annual maintenance cost for the entire unit is only 45–551 TP3T of that of the traditional LD type. We recommend performing routine inspections every 6–12 months (checking electrical connections, wire ropes, and brake pad wear).
Q: Can the LDX model be customized with explosion-proof features?
Answer: Yes. Krude Heavy Industry offers configurations with an Ex tb IIIC T3/T4 explosion-proof rating, suitable for environments with combustible dust (such as flour mills and chemical plants). The explosion-proof configuration includes: an explosion-proof motor (Ex d IIB T4), an explosion-proof electrical control box, an explosion-proof remote control, a copper alloy hook (spark-proof), and conductive rubber anti-static wheels. The delivery time for explosion-proof models is extended by 10 to 15 business days.
