Why the overhead crane is the default loading method
Over 60% of used industrial machines in the 2-to-15-ton weight class are lifted onto trailers by overhead cranes (Hallenkran). It is faster than a mobile crane and cheaper than hydraulic specialty rigs. In practice, however, loading fails not because of the crane itself but because of missing information: unknown lifting capacity, expired inspection certificate, or a floor that cannot handle the point load.
As a procurement agent, Hutnia verifies these conditions before the purchase contract is signed — not when the trailer is already at the gate.
Lifting capacity and geometry — what to check before buying
The first piece of information we need from the seller is the crane's Safe Working Load (SWL) and the hook height at its lowest position. An 8-ton CNC milling machine requires at least 10 tons of crane capacity — a 25% margin is the safety standard, not a luxury.
Equally important: the span of the crane bridge and the travel range of the trolley along the hall. If the machine sits in a far corner and the trolley cannot reach it, the machine must first be repositioned with a forklift — an extra operation with its own risk profile.
Key data to collect:
- SWL from the nameplate (not from memory)
- Hook height vs. machine height plus slings
- Crane rail span and travel length
- Date of last expert inspection per DGUV V52
Technical condition of the crane — the seller's responsibility
Under DGUV Regulation 52 (formerly BGV D6), the crane operator is responsible for the equipment's condition. A crane without a valid inspection must not be used. Hutnia always requests a copy of the latest inspection report (Prüfprotokoll).
If the report is older than 12 months or if the crane shows defects, we recommend an alternative: a mobile crane positioned outside the hall or a heavy-duty sideloader. A 30-to-50-ton mobile crane in Germany costs EUR 800-1,500 for 4 hours — less than a damage claim.
Hall floor and route to the ramp — hidden pitfalls
The crane lifts the machine, but it still needs to reach the trailer. Common problems along the route:
- Floor thresholds and uneven surfaces — machine transport dollies need a smooth, hardened surface
- No loading ramp — without a ramp at trailer height, a hydraulic platform or ramp is required
- Hall door too narrow — clear width must exceed the machine width by at least 30 cm on each side
- Floor load capacity — the point load of a machine on transport rollers can exceed the permissible floor load
We verify these parameters during the pre-purchase inspection. For machines over 5 tons, we always commission a loading plan (Verladeplan) from the transport company.
Coordination with the carrier — who operates the crane?
The standard clause in German used-machine purchase contracts is "Abholung durch Käufer" (collection by buyer). This means the buyer organizes loading logistics — but the physical crane operation requires the seller's crane operator, since it is his equipment and his insurance.
Hutnia coordinates this process: we align the loading date with the carrier, inform the seller about required equipment and time windows, and the crane operator confirms availability. Without this coordination, the trailer waits at the gate while the crane operator is "not back until Friday."
Key items to clarify upfront:
- Who provides the slings (Anschlagmittel) — seller or carrier?
- Does the machine have marked lifting points (Anschlagpunkte)?
- How much time does the seller reserve for loading (minimum 2 hours for machines >5 t)?
More on transport coordination in our article on unloading in Poland and on securing standards on the trailer.
Photo documentation — your safeguard
Before the crane lifts the machine, we require photo documentation in 4 stages:
- Machine at its installation site before disconnection
- Machine after all connections removed, ready for lifting
- Machine suspended in slings, free-hanging
- Machine on the trailer, secured
These photos prove the machine's condition at the moment of loading. In case of a transport damage claim, the insurer requires evidence that the machine was undamaged at loading.
Hutnia handles the coordination — from inspection to ramp
Verifying loading conditions is part of the standard Hutnia mandate. You do not need to call the German seller yourself and ask about crane capacity — we do it for you, in the seller's language and with knowledge of German regulations.
Book an initial consultation Step 0 for EUR 49 — fully deductible from the EUR 500 mandate.
