Load cells for crane and hoist weighing
In lifting, the load cell is often the safety device, not just the measuring device. That changes the certification question entirely.
Crane and hoist weighing splits into two very different jobs. Overload protection is a safety function with a legal dimension. Load monitoring for billing or process control is an accuracy function. The same cell rarely serves both without compromise.
What actually goes wrong
These are the failure modes we see repeatedly in crane and hoist weighing installations. In most of them, better hardware would not have helped.
Dynamic loading
A crane picking up a swinging load applies forces well above the static weight. The cell sees shock peaks that the rating does not describe.
Side load from misalignment
An S-type cell loaded off-axis reads wrong. Rod-end bearings are not optional on a tension installation.
Safety certification
Overload protection in a lifting application may fall under a specific safety directive, and the certificate scope matters more than the datasheet.
Temperature at the hook
Outdoor and foundry applications put the cell in a hostile thermal environment, sometimes with a very large gradient along the load path.
Models used in this application
These are the models our engineers usually start from for crane and hoist weighing. The specification on each product page is the full one — no abbreviated versions.
ST-50
S-type / S-beam
5 kg / 10 kg / 20 kg / 50 kg / 100 kg / 200 kg / 500 kg
- Accuracy
- C3
- Protection
- IP65
- Combined error
- ≤ 0.03 %F.S
- Creep
- ≤ 0.03 %F.S
SB-200
Single-ended shear beam
25 kg / 50 kg / 100 kg / 200 kg / 500 kg / 1 t / 2 t
- Accuracy
- C3
- Protection
- IP67
- Combined error
- ≤ 0.02 %F.S
- Creep
- ≤ 0.015 %F.S
Selection notes
- S-type for tension, because it measures pull as well as push
- Rod-end bearings and correct alignment are part of the installation, not accessories
- Size for the maximum lifted load including the rigging, not the net load
- For overload protection, confirm the certificate scope with us before ordering
Crane and hoist weighing questions
Do I need a safety-rated cell for overload protection?
It depends on how the protection is implemented and on the jurisdiction. If the overload function forms part of a safety-related control system, the cell and the associated electronics may need to meet a specific safety requirement. Tell us the application and the certification scope we need, and we will confirm what we can supply.
Why does my S-type cell read high when the load is off-axis?
An S-type cell is loaded through a single axis. If the rope pulls at an angle, the side component produces a reading error. The fix is mechanical: rod-end bearings to correct the angle, and a guide that keeps the load centred.
How much dynamic overload should the cell tolerate?
A crane picking up a swinging load routinely applies two to three times the static load in short peaks. Specify the cell at the working load with a safe overload factor that covers this, and confirm the shock profile with us if the application is severe.
Can you supply wireless load cells for a crane?
Yes, wireless load cell systems exist for crane monitoring where running a cable to the hook is impractical. Send us the lift height, the number of points and the required monitoring rate, and we will confirm what is feasible.
Discuss your application
Tell us the load, the environment and the signal your PLC needs. A named engineer replies within 24 hours.
Enquiry
If you already know the model, mention it. If you are not sure, describe the application and we will shortlist three options.
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