At Sorian, every jib crane is specified by a qualified mechanical engineer. That means the column size, the boom section, the base plate design, the anchor bolts, the rotation bearing, the foundation requirements, all calculated for your actual load, your actual concrete, your actual slew requirement.
A jib gives you point-of-use coverage at a fixed pivot. For full-bay coverage where the load needs to travel across an entire shop, an overhead bridge crane is usually the right answer instead. For repetitive light-assembly work in a defined cell, an aluminium workstation crane often suits better.
Boom & mounting variants
Freestanding (column-mounted)
Column-mounted to a base plate anchored to your concrete slab. No wall or structure required. Available with full 360° slew or up to 270° with a mechanical stop. The standard range covers 125 kg to 5 t with reach up to 10 m.
Suitable for: open floor areas, machinery loading, press tending, fabrication workstations, maintenance bays.
Wall-mounted
Bracket-mounted to an existing structural wall or column. Space-efficient where floor area is limited. Slew range typically 180°. Requires a structural assessment of the mounting wall, which we carry out as part of the specification.
Suitable for: tight spaces, loading docks, existing building columns, mezzanines.
Pillar-mounted (column-to-column)
Fixed between two existing structural columns. Provides extended reach without additional floor anchoring. Often used in steel fabrication shops and industrial workshops with existing steelwork.
Track-mounted (enclosed-track boom)
Single-column or column-free configuration with an enclosed-track boom, which gives a sector-shaped work area rather than a fixed straight boom. Lighter sliding resistance through the closed profile, more accurate trolley positioning, and a smaller floor footprint than an equivalent I-beam jib. Capacity to 1 t, reach to 6 m.
Suitable for: point-of-use lifting around a single machine, where the load needs to track an arc rather than a straight boom.
Articulated / folding-arm
Two-boom articulating jib. The cantilever folds at a mid-arm joint to bypass obstacles, reach into machine enclosures, or work around fixed equipment. High space utilisation in cells where a single straight boom can't reach the workpiece. Pairs naturally with an intelligent lifting device for high-precision positioning.
- Capacity: 80 kg / 200 kg / 300 kg standard
- Boom segments: typically 1+1 m, 1.5+1.5 m, 1.75+1.75 m, 2.2+1.8 m
- Height under boom: 2.5 m – 4.5 m
- Manual rotation; flexible and precise positioning
- No floor embedment required for some configurations; bolts directly to a designed base plate
Technical specifications
| Capacity (standard) | 125 kg – 5 t (MRC) |
| Reach | Up to 10 m |
| Slew | Manual or motorised: up to 360° freestanding, 180° wall-mounted, sector arc on track-mounted |
| Slew bearing | Self-aligning: compensates for coaxiality error, automatic alignment, low friction, maintenance-free |
| Hoist options | Manual chain block · electric chain hoist · wire-rope hoist · intelligent lifting device |
| Foundation (freestanding) | Assessed case-by-case from the structural design. Some installations require a dedicated footing and bolt cage depending on the crane and slab condition |
| Surface finish | Powder electrostatic spray: dry-film thickness ≥ 120 µm; high adhesion and durability |
| Compliance | Applicable AS and ISO standards; full engineering documentation supplied |
Why proper engineering makes a difference
The two most common jib crane failures we see are anchor bolts that weren't designed for the actual pull-out loads, and concrete slabs that were never assessed for the column base moment. Both are avoidable with a proper calculation package.
Sorian is led by a degree-qualified mechanical engineer. We coordinate the engineering calculations for bending loads, column combined stress, base plate design, and anchor bolt specification (sized for your actual floor and your actual capacity), with certification or sign-off completed by appropriately accredited engineers where required. Imported chemical anchor bolts are supplied as standard. Each component carries a secondary safety mechanism. This isn't optional; it's how a crane should be sold.
Optional features
- Adjustable rotation limit: mechanical stop at any chosen arc to prevent the boom swinging into walls, machines or walkways.
- Intelligent lifting device: servo-driven assist with stepless speed control, soft-limit programming, overload alarms, palletising and auto-suspension modes. Suitable where positioning precision matters more than throughput.
- Explosion-proof: Ex-rated electrical equipment for Zone 1 / Zone 2 environments per AS/NZS 60079.
- Cleanliness / food-grade: stainless components and clean-room-compatible finishes for food, pharmaceutical and electronics applications.
- Foundation embedded bolts: cast-in anchor system for high-cycle applications where chemical anchors aren't preferred.
- Wire-rope safety alarm on intelligent lifting variants, stopping operation when the rope goes slack.
Jib cranes by city
Sorian Cranes is an Australian jib crane manufacturer that designs, supplies and installs jib cranes nationally. Each jib is engineered against the specific concrete slab, structural wall or column it'll mount to. Standard configurations cover 125 kg to 5 t MRC at reach to 6 m, with custom designs above that.
Jib cranes Brisbane: freestanding, wall-mounted and pillar-mounted jibs for mining-services workshops, food processing and defence supply across the Brisbane metro. Mining maintenance shops in Acacia Ridge and Wacol typically run 2–5 t freestanding rigs for drill-rig component change-outs and conveyor work; food processors in Rocklea favour stainless trim and washdown-rated ancillaries; defence subcontractors at Pinkenba use precision-positioning jibs in controlled-environment cells. Cyclone wind loading (AS 1170.2 Region B for parts of South-East Queensland) is factored into freestanding base-plate sizing where the column is exposed.
Jib cranes Melbourne: engineer-led jibs for advanced manufacturing, automotive and food across the western and south-eastern industrial corridors. Truganina and Laverton manufacturing cells typically need 1–2 t articulated or freestanding jibs for press tending and sub-assembly; Dandenong and Campbellfield automotive workshops run heavier rigs for engine handling and EV battery work; Truganina and Hallam food processors specify stainless or food-grade ancillaries. Reactive Werribee clays mean we size base plates to suit the actual soil profile rather than a generic spec.
Jib cranes Sydney: freestanding and wall-mounted jibs for defence, advanced manufacturing and infrastructure across Sydney metro and the Western Sydney aerotropolis. Bankstown defence and aerospace cells typically need 0.5–2 t precision rigs; Wetherill Park and Smithfield manufacturing favours 1–3 t articulated or pillar-mounted; Eastern Creek and Auburn food processing favour stainless. Tight Sydney industrial vacancy means most installs are brownfield retrofits where existing column position dictates the design.
Jib cranes Perth: heavy-duty jibs for mining-services workshops, oil & gas fabrication and defence shipbuilding across Kewdale, Welshpool, Henderson and the wider WA mining belt. FIFO-supporting maintenance shops in Kewdale and Welshpool typically run 2–5 t freestanding rigs at higher duty class (M5–M6 under AS 1418.1); Henderson oil & gas yards need rigs sized for module assembly and pipe-spool work; AMC defence shipbuilding cells use precision rigs in controlled-environment areas. Coastal Fremantle and inland Pilbara service environments call for upgraded corrosion protection.
Jib cranes Adelaide: engineer-led jibs for AUKUS defence shipbuilding, advanced manufacturing and wine-industry equipment across Osborne, Lonsdale and the broader Adelaide industrial belt. Osborne shipbuilding subcontractors typically need precision 0.5–2 t rigs in controlled-environment cells; Lonsdale and Edinburgh Parks manufacturing favours 1–3 t freestanding or articulated; wine-industry workshops in the Barossa and McLaren Vale need specific rigs for tank handling and press positioning. We supply the documentation pack expected by defence-sector primes and second-tier subcontractors.
Jib cranes Mackay: heavy-duty jibs for the Bowen Basin coal-services capital and the surrounding sugar mills, concentrated in the Paget industrial estate. Mining-services workshops typically run 2–5 t freestanding rigs at high duty class for drill-rig and undercarriage component change-outs; sugar mills need stainless-trimmed jibs for crush-season roller and bearing work. As a cyclonic Region C location, freestanding column and base-plate design carries higher wind loads than southern installs.
Jib cranes Townsville: jibs for the North Queensland minerals province, metal refining, the Port of Townsville and one of the country's largest defence footprints. Mining-services and refinery maintenance favours 2–5 t freestanding rigs with corrosion-rated finishes; defence workshops at the Lavarack and RAAF precincts need controlled-environment rigs subject to site access. Townsville is a cyclonic Region C location, so wind engineering drives the freestanding designs.
Jib cranes Gold Coast, jibs for the northern Gold Coast industrial belt: light manufacturing and assembly at Yatala and Molendinar, the Coomera marine and boat-building precinct, and food and beverage production. Marine workshops favour 0.5–2 t track-mounted or articulated rigs with corrosion-rated finishes; food lines need stainless freestanding jibs. A non-cyclonic Region B location with coastal corrosion considerations.
Jib cranes Sunshine Coast, jibs for the Kunda Park and Caloundra industrial corridors, weighted toward food and beverage processing, agricultural and horticultural equipment, and light fabrication. Food lines favour stainless freestanding jibs for washdown environments; ag-equipment shops run 1–3 t freestanding rigs. Region B, non-cyclonic.
Jib cranes Toowoomba, jibs for the Darling Downs agricultural heartland: ag and earthmoving-equipment workshops at Wilsonton, Torrington and Charlton, food and meat processing, and the growing Wellcamp aviation precinct. Ag-machinery shops run 2–5 t freestanding rigs; food facilities need stainless. Inland and non-cyclonic, so wind loads are standard rather than cyclonic.
Frequently asked questions
Are you a jib crane manufacturer or a reseller?
We are an engineering-led Australian jib crane supplier. We specify, source the structural components and hoist, coordinate the foundation and base plate design, and install. Sorian is led by a degree-qualified mechanical engineer, with certification and sign-off handled by appropriately accredited engineers where required.
How much does a jib crane cost?
Jib cranes start from as little as $4,000 AUD + GST. Final pricing depends on capacity, reach, slew, hoist specification, foundation requirements and installation access. Send us your application for a fixed quote.
Do I need to register my jib crane with WorkSafe?
Jib cranes must be designed, installed and commissioned to the applicable AS and ISO standards for the installation. Where design registration, certification or independent sign-off is required, we coordinate that with appropriately accredited engineers and supply the relevant compliance documentation.
Do you supply jib cranes outside major capitals?
Yes, we install nationally. Common regional installations include the Hunter Valley, Geelong, Townsville, Mackay, Bunbury and Tasmania. Freight, install and commissioning is project-managed end-to-end from our Melbourne office.
Example applications
The examples below are indicative of the configurations we engineer: illustrations of capacity, reach and duty, not a record of completed installations. Every crane is sized from your own site and duty cycle.
- Manufacturing facility: 500 kg freestanding jib for component loading at a CNC machining centre.
- Construction workshop: 1 t wall-mounted jib for steel fabrication bench.
- Agricultural facility: 2 t freestanding jib for engine and gearbox removal.
- Mining maintenance workshop — 5 t freestanding jib, 10 m reach, 270° motorised slew.
- Precast concrete yard: 2 t freestanding jib for mould handling at fixed stations.
- Automotive assembly line: 125 kg track-mounted jib at every engine-fit station, paired with electric chain hoist; eliminates repetitive 45 kg bend-and-lift moves.
- Auto-parts machining: 200 kg articulated folding-arm jib paired with an intelligent lifting device for precise placement of 75 kg die castings into a CNC fixture.
- Hydraulic press station: 250 kg freestanding aluminium-boom cantilever crane for high-frequency 50 kg workpiece handling in a tight-clearance cell.