What is headroom in an EOT?

Electric Overhead Traveling (EOT) cranes are one of the most common types of cranes used in factories and other locations today. They are a very efficient and relatively easy to use crane, and will be able to lift and move heavy loads without difficulty. The crane operator for this type of crane will typically work from a cabin that is attached to the crane itself. Understanding what headroom on an EOT crane is, and how it applies to the crane operator, is very important.

What is Headroom?

The headroom doesn’t actually have anything to do with how much room the crane operator has. Instead, it is the distance measured from the saddle of the hook in its highest lift position to one of the following locations:

• Bottom of the Bridge Girder
• Top of the Bridge Girder
• Clear Ceiling

These measurements are important when planning out the installation of a new EOT crane. For example, knowing the measurement for headroom to the clear ceiling will impact where the crane can be installed. Having a low headroom crane will mean that there doesn’t need to be as much space between the crane and the top of the building, which can be convenient in many situations. In order for a crane to operate safely, it needs to be installed with enough headroom.

Each model of crane will have its own requirements on how much headroom is needed. Any crane operator or facility manager that is looking into adding a new EOT crane will need to make sure they are aware of the requirements for the cranes they are considering, and ensure there is sufficient room. When building a new facility, these measurements should also be taken into account so future adjustments don’t have to be made. Even after the installation of the crane, knowing the headroom measurements is still important as it will inform decisions about any changes to the facility down the road.