We understand your process
A process crane is an overhead crane specifically engineered to support your production process, delivering reliable performance in continuous, repetitive duty operations within demanding industrial environments such as steel mills, paper plants, and waste-to-energy facilities.
Konecranes process cranes are manufactured to endure constant heavy-duty use, with protection for heat, dust and other harsh conditions, and smart technology that gives you accurate, repeatable movement where your process needs it.
We design and manufacture the core components and software of our process cranes in-house, ensuring seamless integration and reliable performance. The result is a crane engineered to meet the demands of the most challenging industrial processes.
Engineered for your industry
Automotive
A wide variety of processes are used in automotive production including stamping, pressing, manufacturing car parts and assembly. Safe, efficient and reliable process cranes help enable quick, precise handling of heavy components, support compliance with safety standards and minimize costly downtime in these fast-paced manufacturing environments. We have a wide range of cranes for the automotive industry including:
- Coil handling cranes for delivering steel coils for unreeling and blank cutting.
- Die handling cranes for transporting dies from storage to the press or for turning dies for maintenance.
- Die gripper cranes for compact and multi-level die storage and automated die handling operations.
-
Metals production
Throughout the metals production process, heavy and dangerous loads need to be lifted and moved safety and efficiently—from moving iron ore and recycled steel to pouring hot metal and shaping products in the rolling mill and all the way to shipping and storage. Our process cranes are built for these harsh, high-cycle environments, with components engineered to handle extreme temperatures and heavy loads reliably, shift after shift. We offer a wide range of cranes for the metals production industry including:
- Scrap handling cranes for unloading and sorting scrap metal.
- Hot metal cranes for transporting molten metal.
- Coil handling cranes for transporting coils between production, storage and shipping.
Learn more about our offering for the metals production industry
-
Paper and Forest
Paper and forest operations depend on continuous, precise handling—from raw timber and pulp to reels and finished rolls—where downtime anywhere along the line ripples through the whole process. Our process cranes are engineered to handle heavy, awkward loads with precision and reliability, giving you smoother production flow and fewer unplanned stops. We offer a wide range of cranes for the paper and forest industry including:
- Paper production cranes for handling materials at key stages in the papermaking process such as pulp, reels and finished paper rolls.
- Roll handling cranes for transporting paper rolls automatically between production, storage and shipping.
- Woodyard cranes for unloading, storing and feeding logs in a pulp mill.
- Pulp bale handling cranes
Learn more about our offering for the paper and forest industry
-
Waste to energy and biomass
Waste-to-energy and biomass plants run on the continuous handling of bulky, variable materials and reliable operation keeps the whole process running. Our process cranes are designed to handle tough materials safely and precisely for steady throughput in these demanding, round-the-clock operations. We offer a wide range of cranes for the waste-to-energy and biomass industry including:
- Waste and sludge handling cranes for grabbing, mixing and feeding waste material from bunkers into incinerators, boilers or sorting lines.
- Biomass handling cranes for grabbing, moving and feeding biomass fuel from storage into boilers or processing equipment.
- Slag handling cranes for moving slag or sludge byproducts away from furnaces or processing equipment.
- Straw bale handling cranes for storing and feeding of straw bales to generate heat or biogas.
Learn more about our offering for the waste-to-energy and biomass industry.
-
General manufacturing
General manufacturing facilities must maintain a constant flow of materials, from incoming prefab or raw materials all the way to packaging and shipping. Process cranes can efficiently handle materials and components throughout production, assembly, storage and shipping. They can be integrated into the workflow to move heavy or bulky items, position parts with precision, and support repetitive lifting tasks. We have a wide range of cranes for the general manufacturing industry including:
- Process duty open winch cranes for high-precision load handling and reliable performance.
- Assembly duty open winch cranes for smooth and accurate movement on demanding assembly lines.
- High-capacity assembly duty open winch cranes for assembling and maintaining heavy components.
Learn more about our offering for the general manufacturing industry
-
Power
Power generation spans very different environments, from hydro dam machinery to thermal plant equipment and wind turbine components, each with its own heavy, high-stakes handling needs. Our process cranes are built to match, with compact designs and advanced load positioning features for safer and more efficient maintenance and installation work and less unplanned downtime. We offer a wide range of cranes for the power industry including those used for:
- Turbine installation and maintenance.
- Wind turbine manufacturing and maintenance.
- Hydropower operations.
Aviation
Aircraft parts need to be handled with care so we leverage our deep industry knowledge and process understanding to design crane systems that can move these delicate components safely and accurately. We’ve developed advanced applications and systems utilizing a combination of sensors, software and connectivity to help increase uptime, reduce costs and improve efficiency. We have a wide range of cranes for the aviation industry including:
- Interlocking suspension cranes for transporting components smoothy across large areas.
- Automated cranes for efficient assembly sequences and quicker turnaround times.
- Teleplatforms for aircraft maintenance and painting.
Intelligence & technology
Remote Monitoring
Every process crane reports its own condition. Motor and brake data, hoist utilisation and load history stream into the Konecranes Portal, so maintenance is planned against how the crane is actually working, not a fixed calendar.
- Condition monitoring — motor, brake and hoist data collected as the crane runs
- Usage insight — load history and duty tracked to guide maintenance planning
- Predictive alerts — developing faults flagged before they become stoppages
Process Automation
Automation brings precision, repeatability and efficiency to process industries. Automated cranes can handle repetitive, heavy or hazardous lifts through pre-programmed positioning while reducing operator strain, minimizing product damage and keeping production moving safely and consistently.
- Semi automation: Operator maintains manual control with various features assisting.
- Full automation: Operator defines the settings and the crane operates independently.
- Integration with warehouse management system streamlines processes and optimizes space utilization.
Proven in demanding processes
Unique solution for bioproduct mill
Integrated paper mill solution with automatic train loading and cranes for debarking, production, drying and power operations.
Powering efficiency and sustainability
A fleet of Konecranes lifting equipment plays a key role in Hamburger Hungaria’s operations, supporting both paper production and waste-to-energy processes.
Custom built for cryogenic storage
Chart Industries, Inc. recently opened a new production facility in Theodore, Alabama where they are building the largest shop-built cryogenic storage containers in the world.
Increased demands call for new crane
We worked with the customer to design a new hot metal crane fitted with Sway Control and Target Positioning Smart Features to increase safety and meet increased production demands.
FAQ
A process crane is an overhead crane designed for continuous, repetitive lifting as part of an industrial process, rated to the highest duty classes. It differs from a standard crane in that it runs as a working part of the production line rather than making occasional lifts, and it is engineered for higher fatigue life and heavier real world load. For light or infrequent lifting, a standard overhead crane is the more economical choice.
Yes. Process cranes are engineered around your specific application, so configurations like span, lifting height, speed, and control options can all be adapted to fit your operation. If your requirements fall outside a standard setup, our engineers can design a solution built around your process.
Konecranes offers several process crane families: the modular M-series for heavy high-cycle duty, the SMARTON for precise assembly and maintenance lifting, the SM crane for very large loads, and rope hoist configurations for lighter high frequency work. Fully custom and built up cranes cover requirements the standard families don't.
Konecranes process cranes span from a few tons up to 1,000 tons, with the SM crane at the top of the range and the M-series reaching 70 tons at duty class A9 (CMAA Class F, up to 2 million cycles). SMARTON cranes lift 6.3 to 250 tons on one trolley and up to 500 tons with two. Capacity alone doesn't define the crane; duty class and environment matter as much, which is why two cranes rated for the same weight can be engineered very differently.
Process cranes are used in steel and metals, automotive, paper and forest, chemical, mining and waste-to-energy plants, among other heavy industries. The common thread is continuous, high-duty lifting in demanding conditions such as heat, dust or corrosive exposure. Facilities with only occasional lifting needs rarely require a process crane and are usually better served by a standard overhead crane.
The difference is duty and engineering, not just size. A standard crane suits light to moderate service with idle time between lifts, while a process crane is built for continuous duty operation at high load, with higher fatigue resistance, better heat handling and often environmental protection and automation.
Installation begins with an application and site assessment covering duty class, bay dimensions, runway condition and power supply; followed by engineering, manufacturing, site erection, load testing and commissioning. We verify performance through factory and site acceptance tests before handover.
Process cranes are built for demanding, often continuous duty cycles, so regular inspection and maintenance are essential to keep them running reliably. We offer service agreements that are tailored to your operations and address long-term spare part and advanced services needs over the entire lifespan of the asset.
Engineered around your process, backed by comprehensive lifecycle services
Our engineers start by assessing your process, duty requirements, and facility conditions, then specify a solution built from standardized modules and our proven Core of Lifting components — delivered as a customized, turnkey package. From there, we can support your crane operations with a full range of Lifecycle Services, including inspections and maintenance, parts, advanced services and modernizations.
Interested? Contact us
Videos
