Planning Equipment Replacement with a 2-Ton Spider Crane in Low-Headroom Spaces

Replacing machinery beneath low ceilings involves more than getting a crane through the doorway. The lift must also accommodate the boom, hook, rigging and equipment throughout removal and installation. The Onchtech 2-ton tracked spider crane is an option for restricted-access equipment replacement, subject to a site-specific assessment of clearance, lifting capacity, support conditions and power arrangements.

Its stated transport dimensions are 2.78 m long × 0.71 m wide × 1.62 m high, with a machine weight of 1.8 tonnes. These figures help assess access, but they do not establish the space or floor capacity required for lifting.

Start with the replacement sequence, not just the load weight

For low-headroom equipment replacement, define how the existing unit will be disconnected, lifted clear, moved to a transfer point and replaced. The removal and installation lifts may have different centres of gravity, lifting points and working radii.

1. Record the load: establish the equipment weight, dimensions, centre of gravity and approved lifting points. Include the hook block, slings, lifting beam and other accessories when checking the applicable rated capacity.
2. Map the movement: mark the pickup, transfer and placement positions, together with the crane position and obstructions along the load path.
3. Measure the full clearance envelope: account for overhead beams, pipes, cable trays, ducts and suspended services—not only the nominal ceiling height.
4. Check each stage: verify capacity, clearance and support conditions throughout the planned movement, rather than only at the initial pickup.

Reference dimensions for confined-space lift planning

The following supplied specifications provide a starting point for assessing the Onchtech 2-ton spider crane. Final suitability depends on the selected configuration and project conditions.

Four checks that determine indoor lifting suitability

1. Access clearance is different from working clearance

The 0.71 m transport width and rubber-tracked chassis support restricted-access planning. However, a nominally matching doorway is not sufficient: allow for practical manoeuvring clearance, uneven surfaces and the approach angle. Once positioned, the crane needs additional space for outrigger deployment, boom movement and the load path.

2. Low ceilings constrain the complete lifting arrangement

Available headroom must accommodate the equipment, lifting accessories, hook assembly and boom geometry while providing enough lift to clear foundations, mounting bolts or adjacent machinery. Do not assume that lowering the boom resolves a clearance problem; the resulting radius and capacity must also be checked. Request configuration-specific dimensions before committing to a low-headroom lift.

3. Outrigger support must be assessed independently

The crane uses manually deployed outriggers with independent hydraulic adjustment. This supports setup and levelling, but does not make every floor or uneven surface suitable. Check slab capacity, underground services, openings, edges and any required load-spreading arrangements. Do not estimate outrigger reactions by simply dividing machine weight by four; obtain the relevant loading information for the proposed lift.

4. Indoor power requires configuration confirmation

The supplied specifications list an engine and an AC 380 V motor supply. Confirm electrical requirements, connection arrangements and available operating functions for the ordered machine. Combustion-engine operation inside a building requires an appropriate exhaust and ventilation assessment; an engine emissions specification alone does not establish indoor suitability.

Choose options around the lift plan

Onchtech lists optional remote control, moment-control equipment and a hydraulic fly jib, alongside engine and configuration customisation. Their suitability should be evaluated against the actual replacement task.

• Remote control: may help the operator choose a clearer observation position. It does not remove the need for exclusion zones or suitable signalling arrangements.
• Moment display or control: confirm the exact device and its functions in the quotation; indication and automatic limiting should not be treated as interchangeable.
• Hydraulic fly jib: request its dimensions and applicable load chart. An optional attachment changes the lifting arrangement and is not an automatic solution to limited headroom.

Common planning questions

Can this crane lift 2 tonnes at a 6 m radius?

The supplied specifications do not establish that capacity. Confirm the allowable load at the required radius using the load chart for the selected boom, outrigger and attachment configuration.

Can it operate beneath a 1.62 m ceiling?

The 1.62 m figure is the stated transport height, not an operating-clearance requirement. Lifting needs additional clearance determined by the boom, hook, rigging, load and planned movement.

Is it suitable for upper-floor or rooftop equipment replacement?

These are potential application settings, not blanket approvals. A project-specific assessment must confirm access, structural capacity, outrigger support, lifting geometry and site restrictions before use.

Prepare your equipment replacement enquiry

Onchtech is the construction machinery brand of Hunan Hongchang Machinery Co., Ltd., which provides complete-machine manufacturing and OEM/ODM/OBM cooperation. For a configuration discussion, share:

• Equipment weight, dimensions, lifting points and rigging details.
• Pickup and placement positions, required lift height and estimated working radii.
• Access-route measurements, ceiling restrictions, photographs and a site layout.
• Available outrigger space, floor information and electrical supply.
• Destination market, preferred options and procurement requirements.

Request the applicable load chart, dimensional and outrigger drawings, power configuration and option details with your quotation. Use these documents with a competent lifting professional to determine whether the proposed crane suits the replacement task.