Crane Span,Gauge & Base Distance: Meaning and Differences
Crane span, gauge and base distance are three different horizontal dimensions. Span is the distance between runway rail centerlines, gauge is the rail-to-rail distance of a travelling mechanism, and base distance is the spacing between support centerlines along the direction of travel. The three terms are easily confused. Some suppliers use “gauge” and “wheelbase” interchangeably, and some treat span and trolley gauge as the same thing. In reality each one measures a different direction on a different part of the crane. This guide defines each term, compares them side by side, shows how base distance is read on layouts from two to twelve wheels, and explains the reference plane all of them are measured from. After reading, you should be able to check a crane drawing and say which dimension is which. Base distance (symbol b or B) is the horizontal distance between a crane’s support centerlines, measured parallel to its direction of travel, as defined in crane terminology standards such as GB/T 6974.1. What Do Span, Gauge and Base Distance Mean? Span (S): The Distance Between Rail Centerlines Span…