Plastics Industry Cranes

Industry Applications

Precision handling engineered for faster changeovers and safer mold handling.

In plastics manufacturing, lifting is rarely a one-off task. It is part of keeping machines running, protecting expensive tooling, and moving awkward loads safely through busy bays. Whether you’re handling heavy injection moulds, positioning extrusion dies, feeding hoppers from bulk bags, or moving master rolls from film lines, you need controlled motion and repeatable placement you can trust. Street Crane designs and builds overhead crane systems in the UK that are engineered around plastics production, with advanced control using Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) to support smooth travel, micro-speed positioning and confident load handling.

Speak to our sales team on (864) 589 4150 or or complete the inquiry form to discuss your plastic lifting requirements.

Crane solutions for plastics manufacturing

Plastics plants often combine high-value equipment with tight working spaces. Mould changes need to be quick, but never rushed. Loads are heavy, awkward and often handled close to machines, robotics and guarding. Finished product formats can be challenging too, from large moulded parts to master rolls that demand steady, controlled movement.

We work with your engineering, operations and maintenance teams to understand how lifting fits into the production cycle, then specify a crane system that supports safer handling, faster changeovers, and predictable uptime.

Cranes

We have a large range of pre-engineered cranes to meet the needs of almost all industrial applications up to 250 tons capacity.

Components & Hoists

Designed for ease of crane assembly anywhere in the world, Street Crane kits include everything needed to build a complete overhead crane except the steelwork for the main bridge girder.

Spares & Servicing

Only genuine Street parts will ensure the lifelong productivity and reliability of your lifting equipment. Street parts are available from our warehouses in the UK and the USA. We also supply through our network of official distributors around the globe.

Overhead cranes engineered for plastics operations

Street Crane systems are engineered for long-term industrial reliability, with robust structures, service-friendly maintenance access, and controlled crane motion designed to reduce shock loading and unnecessary mechanical wear.

In plastics manufacturing environments, controlled load handling is about more than operator comfort. Smooth, predictable crane movement helps protect expensive molds, tooling, production equipment, and finished products, while reducing the risk of impact damage during changeovers and maintenance operations.

Key design considerations

Plastic lifting is often defined by what happens at the machine. Molds and dies must be placed accurately, with stable movement and predictable stopping behavior to avoid damage to clamping units, platens, and tooling faces. This means considering true lift behavior, fine positioning at low speed, and the right hook approach and headroom for safe installation and removal.

We design in the control method, travel speeds, and operational safeguards that help operators work confidently, especially where lifts take place close to people, machines, and obstacles. Where plastics processes involve powders or additives that may require hazardous area precautions, we support proper assessment and specification to suit the site’s classification and operating conditions.

Plastics Overhead Crane Solutions

ZX single girder cranes

For many plastics bays, ZX single girder cranes provide an ideal balance of capacity, coverage, and efficiency for routine mold movements, die changes, and general handling. They are well suited to frequent lifts where controlled, repeatable movement is important, without over-specifying the system.

ZX double girder cranes

Where mold weights increase, or where improved hook approach and headroom utilization are needed to work safely around machines and guarding, ZX double girder cranes provide the stiffness and control required for confident placement. This is often the right approach when mold handling becomes a critical bottleneck.

ZX underhung cranes

Plastics facilities can have congested overhead spaces, services, or building constraints that make runway columns undesirable. ZX underhung cranes are a strong option where floor space needs to be preserved and handling routes kept clear, while still achieving useful hook height and coverage across the working area.

VX heavy-duty cranes

Where mold handling is frequent, loads are heavy, and uptime pressure is high, VX open winch cranes deliver heavy-duty performance with maintainability in mind. The open layout supports practical inspection and service access, which is valuable when cranes are supporting production every day and unplanned downtime is costly.

Gantry and semi-gantry cranes

If your site includes external loading, maintenance bays, or areas where the building structure cannot support runway beams, gantry and semi-gantry cranes provide stable coverage without relying on the roof. They can also be an effective way to add lifting capability in specific zones without major building modifications.

Workstation cranes and jibs

Not every plastics lift requires the reach of a main bridge crane. Workstation systems and jib cranes are ideal for frequent, localized tasks such as hopper feeding from bulk bags, handling containers, or supporting machine-side maintenance. Used alongside overhead cranes, they keep work close to the task and help prevent main cranes from being tied up with small but frequent lifts.

Making advanced lifting practical in plastics

Plastics manufacturing operations require crane controls that improve handling performance without adding unnecessary complexity.

Street Crane systems use advanced VFD-based controls to provide smooth acceleration and deceleration, precise micro-speed positioning, and consistent load handling that helps operators position molds, dies, tooling, and production equipment with greater confidence and accuracy.

In practice, this helps reduce impact damage, minimize the risk of tooling wear or misalignment, and support faster, more predictable changeovers. It also contributes to a safer, more controlled working environment around production machinery, where lifting operations often take place in confined areas and close to critical process equipment.

Working as part of your plastics operation

Plastics production changes. Product mixes evolve, tooling changes, and layouts shift as machines, robotics and handling routes are optimised. We design crane systems to fit that reality, starting with how molds, dies, materials and finished products move through your facility. From there, we can specify a single crane for a dedicated bay, or an integrated lifting approach that combines overhead cranes with workstation systems and local jibs to support the way your teams actually work The goal is simple: lifting that supports production flow, reduces downtime pressure, and remains practical to maintain for years to come.

A partner for long-term performance

Street Crane is a family-owned business with 80 years of lifting expertise. We focus on engineered solutions that deliver long-term reliability, backed by straightforward technical support. Speak to a Street Crane engineer today for a practical recommendation and budgetary outline.

Call +1 864 589 4150 or email usasales@streetcrane.com.

Get Started Today

Have any questions or want a quote please contact us

+1 864 5894 150

usasales@streetcrane.com