Plastics Industry Cranes
Precision handling for faster changeovers and safer mould moves
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 today on +44 (0)1298 812456 or complete the enquiry 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 tonnes 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
Our cranes are designed for long-term reliability, with robust structures, practical access for maintenance, and controlled motion that helps reduce shock loading and unnecessary wear.
For plastics applications, that controlled handling is not just about comfort, it helps protect tooling, plant equipment and the product itself.
Key design considerations
Plastic lifting is often defined by what happens at the machine. Moulds and dies must be placed accurately, with stable movement and predictable stopping behaviour to avoid damage to clamping units, platens and tooling faces. That means considering true lift behaviour, 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 happen close to people, machines and obstacles. Where plastics processes involve powders or additives that may require hazardous area precautions, we’ll support a 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 mould movements, die changes and general handling. They suit frequent lifts where controlled, repeatable movement is important, without over-specifying the system.
ZX double girder cranes
Where mould weights rise, or where you need improved hook approach and headroom utilisation to work safely around machines and guarding, ZX double girder cranes provide the stiffness and control you need for confident placement. This is often the right route when mould handling becomes a critical bottleneck.
ZX underslung cranes
Plastics facilities can have congested overhead spaces, services, or building constraints that make runway columns undesirable. ZX single and double underslung cranes are a strong option where you need to preserve floor space and keep handling routes clear, while still achieving useful hook height and coverage across the working area.
VX heavy-duty cranes
Where mould 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.
Portal and semi-portal cranes
If your site includes external loading, maintenance bays, or areas where the building structure cannot support runway beams, goliath cranes and semi-portal 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 modification.
Workstation cranes and jibs
Not every plastics lift needs the reach of a main bridge crane. Workstation systems and jib cranes are ideal for frequent, local tasks such as hopper feeding from bulk bags, handling containers, or supporting machine-side maintenance. Used alongside overhead cranes, they keep local work close to the task and help prevent main cranes being tied up with small but frequent lifts.
Making advanced lifting practical in plastics
Plastics teams need control that improves performance without adding complexity.
VFD-based advanced control supports smooth acceleration and deceleration, micro-speed positioning, and consistent handling that helps operators place moulds and dies more confidently.
In practice, that means fewer knocks, less risk of tooling damage, and more predictable changeovers. It also supports a calmer, safer working environment around machines, where lifts often happen in confined spaces and close to 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 moulds, 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 nearly 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 +44 (0)1298 812456 or email website@streetcrane.co.uk.
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