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Monday 7am - 3:30pm Tuesday 7am - 3:30pm Wednesday 7am - 3:30pm Thursday 7am - 3:30pm Friday 7am - 3:30pm

AFE Crane

Name: AFE Crane
Address: 1824 Lincoln Street, Cedar Falls, IA, 50613, US
Telephone: +13192680818

Overhead Crane & Overhead Material Handling We provide standard crane and hoist solutions as well as custom engineered overhead material handling systems.

AFE Crane (formerly known as American Fabricators & Engineers) has been dedicated to delivering overhead bridge cranes, monorails, and hoisting solutions to the Iowa and Midwest area since 1983. We provide parts and service for many makes and brands of hoists and crane equipment.

08/26/2026

When does a motorized gantry crane make more sense than a permanent overhead bridge crane?

A motorized, trackless gantry crane can provide overhead lifting capacity across multiple areas of a facility without requiring a permanent runway system. For facilities with building obstructions, changing workflows, or equipment that needs to move between work areas, this configuration combines controlled overhead lifting with the flexibility to move the crane where it is needed.

Our latest AFE Crane Solution | Case Studies in Motion highlights a custom system designed for an Iowa company working with large agricultural and construction equipment.

The custom solution included:

- A 5-ton Spanco PF Series motorized steerable gantry crane
- A 30-foot span with 15 feet of available lift
- Two-speed motorized gantry travel up to 75 feet per minute
- A Yale YK electric wire rope hoist with dual-speed hoist and trolley motion
- A Conductix-Wampfler cable reel providing 80 feet of active cable travel
- A 330-degree rotating cable-reel base that allowed the crane to reach multiple areas of the facility

The result was a flexible lifting system that reduced reliance on forklifts for larger equipment while providing controlled overhead lifting without the limitations of a fixed crane runway.

📖 Read the full case study:
https://afecrane.com/case-studies/motorized-gantry-crane/

08/18/2026

How do you determine the correct duty cycle classification for an overhead bridge crane?

A crane's duty cycle classification defines how frequently it will operate, how heavily it will be loaded, and the type of service it is expected to perform. Selecting the appropriate duty class helps ensure the crane is engineered for the application, improves long-term reliability, and reduces premature wear caused by undersized equipment.

Our latest AFE Crane Learning Center article explains how duty cycle classifications influence overhead crane design and why they should be considered early in the specification process.

The article covers:

- What a crane duty cycle classification is
- The differences between common CMAA service classes
- How lifting frequency and load spectrum affect crane selection
- Why specifying the correct duty class improves performance and equipment life

Whether you're purchasing a new overhead bridge crane or evaluating an existing system, understanding duty cycle classifications is an important step toward selecting equipment that matches your application.

📖 Read the full article:
https://afecrane.com/overhead-lifting-insights/duty-cycle-classifications/

08/12/2026

How do you design an overhead crane system for a high-vibration industrial environment?

A freestanding overhead crane can be paired with a custom-engineered steel platform to isolate lifting loads from process equipment while maintaining structural integrity. By designing the crane, runway, and supporting structure as one integrated system, manufacturers can safely handle heavy loads, improve operator access, and withstand continuous vibration in demanding industrial environments.

Our latest AFE Crane Solution | Case Studies in Motion highlights how AFE Crane engineered a complete lifting solution for a biofuels producer that needed to safely handle heavy drums in a high-vibration processing facility.

The custom solution included:

- A 7.5-ton freestanding overhead crane
- A reinforced structural steel platform engineered for dynamic loading
- Heavy-flange support beams and gusseted base weldments
- An integrated crane runway that transferred lifting loads directly to the floor
- Fall protection railings, a guarded ladder, and custom floor grating to improve operator safety

The result was a fully engineered material handling system that provided safe, efficient drum handling while maintaining long-term structural performance in a demanding production environment.

📖 Read the full case study:
https://afecrane.com/case-studies/customized-crane-and-steel-platform-solution-for-biofuels-company/

08/06/2026

Maximizing storage efficiency with precision automation.
At AFE Crane, our stacker crane systems are custom-engineered for high-density storage and retrieval operations in warehouses and distribution centers. These advanced systems typically feature a double-girder crane with a telescoping mast carrier instead of a traditional hoist, enabling high-rise movements and optimized aisle utilization.

From integration with warehouse management systems to customizable forks, grippers, variable speed controls, and energy-regenerative drives, our solutions are tailored to your workflow, load profiles, and structural constraints.

Learn more about our Stacker Crane solutions:
https://afecrane.com/crane-equipment/stacker-crane/

07/15/2026

The AFE Crane Solution | Case Studies in Motion

AFE Crane was selected to design and build a custom crane system for a manufacturer specializing in large outdoor commercial business signs. The challenge was to create a system flexible enough to handle a diverse range of sign sizes—from small storefront displays to massive high-rise structures—while maintaining precision, safety, and efficiency.

The AFE Crane Solution featured a dual 3-ton crane system on a 60-foot runway, each crane equipped with two 1.5-ton hoists. This configuration allowed hoists to operate independently for smaller loads, in tandem on one bridge for medium-sized signs, or combine one hoist from each crane to handle large, elongated signs. The system also integrated the advanced Magnetek Flex EX2 radio control platform for seamless operator interface and control.

The result: A highly adaptable, efficient crane system that supports the full sign production range with improved safety, flexibility, and productivity.

Read the full case study here: https://afecrane.com/case-studies/advanced-crane-control-technology-provides-flexibility-in-manufacturing-for-custom-commercial-signs-builder/

07/09/2026

Lightweight strength for long-spans.
At AFE Crane, our truss crane systems feature a lightweight truss-style bridge constructed of interconnected members that efficiently distribute load while reducing overall mass. Designed for environments where structural support is limited or traditional solid-beam bridges would be too heavy, these solutions enable longer spans, reduced runway structure, and optimized headroom.

Whether in freestanding systems or integrated into existing buildings, we design each truss crane with custom capacities (up to 10 tons) and spans (often up to 125 ft) to match your layout. Our modular approach also supports single- or double-girder configurations, outdoor-rated materials, and advanced controls for precise, reliable operation.

Learn more about our Truss Crane solutions:
https://afecrane.com/crane-equipment/truss-crane/

06/26/2026

Today is National Take Your Dog to Work Day, and we had a few extra team members around AFE Crane.

Whether in the office or working remotely, our four-legged coworkers occasionally make an appearance—supervising meetings, keeping an eye on productivity, or making a guest appearance on a Teams call.

We're fortunate to have a great team—both two-legged and four-legged—that helps make AFE a great place to work.

Happy National Take Your Dog to Work Day from the AFE team!

06/25/2026

Engineered for high-risk lifting environments.
At AFE Crane, our explosion-proof overhead crane systems are designed to perform safely in hazardous areas where flammable gases, vapors or combustible dust may be present. These systems incorporate sealed electrical systems, spark-resistant materials, and certified components tailored to each facility’s classification and safety requirements.

From chemical plants and paint booths to grain processing and battery-manufacturing facilities, our engineers deliver rigorously specified lifting solutions that meet the strictest industry standards for explosion-proof operation.Learn more about our Explosion Proof Crane solutions:
https://afecrane.com/crane-equipment/explosion-proof-overhead-crane/

06/16/2026

Elevate your understanding of hoist technology in our new Learning Center article where we break down the different types of hoists—from manual chain to electric wire rope and air-powered solutions—and what they mean for your lifting operations. Read the full article here: https://afecrane.com/overhead-lifting-insights/hoist-types/

06/10/2026

The AFE Crane Solution | Case Studies in Motion

AFE Crane was enlisted by a manufacturer contending with extremely limited headroom above an assembly line pit, where only ten inches of clearance separated the underside of support steel from a critical crane runway. This tight envelope, coupled with an overhead “power-and-free” paint system, posed serious constraints on equipment placement and worker access during maintenance activities.

The AFE Crane Solution involved a custom low-headroom crane system built with lightweight aluminum runway and bridge structures from Unified Industries. It featured end trucks designed for minimal vertical profile, combined with a nested trolley and chain hoist to maximize usable space while delivering full lifting capacity. Operators now benefit from safer access with fall-protection compatibility and streamlined maintenance workflows.

The result: A reliable, efficient crane system that conquers the clearance challenge while improving safety and maintenance speed.

Read the full case study here: https://afecrane.com/case-studies/innovative-low-clearance-crane-solutions-enhance-assembly-line-safety/

Address

1824 Lincoln Street
Cedar Falls, IA
50613

Opening Hours

Monday	7am - 3:30pm
Tuesday	7am - 3:30pm
Wednesday	7am - 3:30pm
Thursday	7am - 3:30pm
Friday	7am - 3:30pm

Telephone

+13192680818

Website

http://afecrane.com/

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