Buy a freestanding jib crane by its rated load, usable hook reach, height under boom and mounting design. Public light-duty equipment examples range from USD $1,732 to $4,195 per unit, but they cover different capacities and foundations. Confirm the slab or footing and hoist package before treating any price as an installed cost.
01Choose a jib that reaches the work
A freestanding jib supports its boom on a floor-mounted column. It suits repeated lifting around one machine, bench or assembly station without relying on a building column. It does not clear a long rectangular bay like an overhead crane.
| Specification | What to check | Common buying mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | Component plus below-hook attachments | Comparing 2,000 lb with 1 metric tonne as identical |
| Usable reach | Hook positions between the column and trolley stop | Using overall boom length as full hook travel |
| Height under boom | Space left after hoist, trolley and rigging | Confusing boom height with available lift |
| Swing angle | Clear movement around machines, guards and services | Assuming a nominal rotation angle is usable on site |
For a 600 kg component with a 90 kg lifting attachment, evaluate at least 690 kg of below-hook load. Then select from the manufacturer’s approved ratings and duty options.
02Choose the mounting design before ordering
Dedicated foundation models transfer the jib’s overturning moment into an engineered concrete footing and anchor system. The column may look compact while the required footing occupies a much larger area below the floor. Check buried services and cure time before setting the installation date.
Foundationless or slab-mounted models have specific slab thickness, concrete strength, reinforcement, joint-clearance and anchor requirements. The label does not mean they can be bolted to any warehouse floor. Obtain the exact model’s foundation drawing and have the site conditions checked by the responsible engineer.
If the floor cannot accept the reactions, compare a different support arrangement rather than reducing the number of anchors or copying a footing from another model. Pillar jib crane options should be matched to the actual reach and support conditions.
03Freestanding jib crane prices: published examples
The following public equipment prices were checked on 28 October 2026. The selected light-duty examples span USD $1,732–$4,195 per listed crane; this is not a universal market range or a Henan Mine quotation.
| Listed configuration | Price, USD per unit | Purchase qualification |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 lb compact floor-mounted jib; approximately 70 in usable beam length | $1,732 | Reinforced concrete pad required |
| 2,000 lb floor-mounted jib; advertised 8 ft span and 8 ft under-beam height | $3,499 | Pre-poured footing and embedded anchors; confirm under-beam height on the drawing |
| 1,000 lb foundationless jib; 8 ft length and 12 ft under-beam height | $4,195 | Model-specific slab and adhesive-anchor conditions |
Different mounting designs, reach and heights prevent a direct dollars-per-ton comparison. Hoist, trolley, anchors, freight, tax and installation must be itemized; their inclusion is not established by these headline figures. One US short ton is 2,000 lb, approximately 907 kg.
04Match the hoist and slewing to the cycle
Manual slewing can suit occasional maintenance. Repeated production lifts may justify powered rotation, trolley travel or variable-speed control. Consider the force needed to move the load, its swing and the operator’s position, not simply the lifting capacity.
Check the hoist trolley against the beam flange, available headroom and end approach. Specify duty for the real shift pattern. Outdoor or corrosive locations also require suitable protection for the structure, electrics and hoist; a standard indoor listing should not be assumed suitable.
For a clear buying comparison, keep capacity, usable reach, mounting type and hoist scope constant across offers. A cheaper crane that stops short of the machine is not an equivalent alternative.
05Buyer questions
Can a freestanding jib crane be installed on an existing slab?
Only when the exact model’s mounting requirements and the actual slab are verified. Existing thickness alone does not establish capacity; reinforcement, concrete condition, joints, anchors and ground support also matter.
Does a jib crane price include the hoist?
Sometimes, but many listings price only the crane structure. Confirm the hoist, trolley, electrical supply, mounting hardware and installation in the written offer.