CMAA Crane Duty Classifications Explained

Here’s what you need to know about CMAA crane classifications in Canada.

CMAA is the Crane Manufacturers Association of America, Inc., an independent trade association affiliated with the Material Handling Industry. CMAA traces its roots to the Electric Overhead Crane Institute, known as EOCI, which was founded in 1927 by leading crane manufacturers of that time to promote the standardization of cranes as well as uniform quality and performance. The voluntary association was incorporated as the Crane Manufacturers Association of America, Inc. in 1955. Member Companies, representing the industry leaders in the overhead crane industrycome from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. CMAA Crane duty classification has set up a standard for crane classifications that are used to help define the use of a crane. These standards are based on capacity and usage and help us to select the right hoist and crane for your operations. Accepted as the industry norm in Canada, US, and Mexico they help to insure standards are in place across manufacturer’s and installers, which ensures that the end user has a crane lifting system that matches their needs. CMAA_Crane Service Classes tearsheet download.

CMAA Crane Duty Classifications Crane ClassificationTypical Installation# Lifts per/hr.Average LiftShiftTypical WorkloadKey PointsClass A Standby or Infrequent ServicePower Houses Public Utilites Turbine Rooms Motor Rooms Transformer Stations0 – 210 ft.Single Shift Operation

• Precise handling at slow speeds with idle periods between lifts

• Capacity loads may be handled for intial installation of equipment and for infrequent maintenance

• H1 Hoist

• Maintenace crane in machine house

• Used only occasionally

Class B Light ServiceRepair Shops Light Assembly Operations Light Warehousing2 – 510 ft.Single Shift Operation

• Loads vary from no load to occasional full rated loads

• H2 Hoist

• Light service requirements

• Slow speed

Class C Moderate ServiceMachine Shops Paper Mills Machine Rooms5 – 1015 ft.Single Shift Operation

• Average load is 50% of rated load

• 50% of less of the lifts are at the rated capacity

• H3 Hoist

• Minimum 1.15 service factor on bridge motion

• 5,000 L-10 bearing life

Class D Heavy ServiceHeavy Machine Shops Foundries Fabricating Plants Steel Warehouses Container Yards Lumber Mills Stanadard Duty Bucket & Magnet Operations10 – 2015 ft.1 – 2 Shift Operation

• Average loads approaching 50% are continuously handled

• 50% of less of the lifts are at the rated capacity

• H4 Hoist

• Minimum 1.3 service factor on bridge motion

• 10,000 L-10 bearing life

• Lift the maximum capacity with 30% frequency

• Typically faster speeds over Class C

A Built-Up Hoist is typically used in this type of application and is tailored towards a specific application with a heavy duty cycle to handle demanding needs.Class E Severe ServiceMagnet Bucket Magnet/Bucket Combo Scrap Yards Cement Mills Lumber Mills Fertilizer Plans Container Handling20+20+ ft.24/7 Continuously

• Continuous use at/or near capacity

• H4+ Hoist

• Minimum 1.75 service factor on bridge motion

• 20,000 L-10 bearing life

• Continuously lifts at the maximum capacity

• Typically faster speeds over Class C and D

A Built-Up Hoist is typically used in this type of application and is tailored towards a specific application with a heavy duty cycle to handle demanding needs.