Explosion Proof Cranes – Custom ATEX Crane Systems
Custom crane systems built around JDN ex proof hoists – robust, reliable, and low maintenance. Powered by compressed air or hydraulics instead of electricity, they lift safely in potentially explosive atmospheres.
Explosion Proof Crane Systems – Custom Made with JDN Ex Proof Hoists
An explosion proof crane is only as safe as its weakest component. That is why J.D. Neuhaus builds each ATEX crane system as one coherent unit: explosion proof hoists, trolleys, girders, chains, chain containers, and controls are engineered to work together – with every motion, from lifting to crane travel, powered pneumatically or hydraulically.
Because JDN drives operate entirely without electricity, they contain no electrical components that could act as ignition sources. The result: even the standard versions are designed for operation in potentially explosive atmospheres and are suitable for many ATEX-classified areas – without the complex protective packages that electrically driven cranes require.
Every system is configured for your application. Different crane types, spans, lifting capacities, and equipment options give you a solution that fits your building, your loads, and your hazardous area classification – backed by German engineering expertise since 1745.
Product Overview
Explosion Proof Crane Designs
Each crane design solves a different spatial and operational challenge. JDN configures all of them for use in potentially explosive atmospheres:
Overhead Cranes
Explosion proof overhead cranes in single-girder and double-girder design for lifting applications across the full length and width of your hall.
Underslung Cranes
Suspension cranes in low-headroom and ultra-low-headroom designs – the solution for restricted building heights.
Column-Mounted Jib Cranes
Free-standing jib cranes that serve individual workstations with precise, localized load handling.
Wall-Mounted Jib Cranes
Space-saving jib cranes mounted directly to the building structure – ideal where floor space is limited.
ATEX Crane Systems Tailored to Your Individual Needs
No two hazardous areas are alike – and neither are JDN crane systems. Depending on your application, your explosion proof crane can be configured with:
- Pendant or radio remote control
- One-speed, two-speed, or infinitely variable pneumatic control
- Manual or pneumatic crane and trolley travel
- Synchronized hoist operation with mechanically linked hoists
- Parallel-operated hoist systems
- Single-girder and double-girder overhead crane designs
- Low-headroom and ultra-low-headroom underslung crane designs
- JDN air hoists with motorized trolleys or monorail systems
- Customized crane configurations for individual applications
The patented pneumatic drive enables high lifting and lowering speeds while supporting continuous operation – so your crane keeps pace with your production, shift after shift.
Explosion Protection for Hazardous Areas
In a JDN crane system, explosion protection is not an add-on package – it is the drive concept itself. Lifting, trolley travel, and crane travel all run on compressed air or hydraulics, so the system contains no electrical components that could become ignition sources. Where electrically driven cranes must be specially protected for hazardous areas, a JDN crane meets the requirements of many ATEX-classified environments in its standard configuration.
For applications requiring additional protection against mechanical spark formation, JDN offers special equipment options, including copper-plated hooks and bottom blocks as well as brass load wheels and brass trolley wheels.
For specific explosion protection requirements or individually defined ATEX zones, JDN develops customized lifting solutions tailored to the conditions of your application. Detailed information on ATEX categories, zones, and markings of JDN hoists is available on our explosion proof hoists page – and our insights article ATEX explained in practice shows what these classifications mean in daily operation.
If you have any questions regarding explosion protection, hazardous area classification, or the selection of the right lifting solution, our sales team will be happy to provide expert advice.
Key Industries for JDN Explosion Proof Cranes
Oil & Gas – Offshore
Extreme, demanding, efficient – the requirements and environmental conditions in the offshore oil and gas industry are unique and among the toughest in the world.
Oil & Gas – Processing (Onshore)
The processing of oil and gas is a complex operation that requires highly skilled personnel and proven technology, all while meeting the highest safety standards.
Chemical & Pharma
Unique requirements for safety, certification, cleanliness, and consistent production processes mean that choosing the right hoist specifications for chemical and pharmaceutical applications is crucia [..]
Defence Industry
Precise positioning, maximum reliability, highest quality – in the defence industry, large and complex assemblies, components of military vehicles, or massive ship elements such as hull sections, engi [..]
Building Materials
The oldest of all raw materials – our history and experience in the mining industry have also proven valuable in the construction materials sector. Heavy loads, such as millstones, need to be replaced [..]
Pulp & Paper
The pulp and paper industry relies on the reliability and compact design of JDN hoists.
General Manufacturing
Quality, precision, reliability – all machine manufacturers rely on high quality and efficient processes, regardless of their product portfolio. Efficient production not only reduces manufacturing cos [..]
Case Studies
Processing seafood on board a ship is always a challenge due to limited space. Existing solutions with electric chain hoists have repeatedly caused problems, especially in long-term use. The customer [..]
In the hall in question, components are washed and cleaned before being further processed. For the downstream processes within a measuring cell, it is necessary to move and position various loads and [..]
In a paint booth, loads, steel structures, and racks for driverless transport systems are moved and handled. Special care is required, as the components must be positioned in various ways to ensure ma [..]
As part of the redesign of a paint shop and drying hall, work areas for the manual coating of ball valves were set up in an ATEX zone. Paint dust in the air makes the use of spark-free lifting techno [..]
Do You Operate Cranes in Potentially Explosive Areas – or Are You Planning a New ATEX Application?
Our experts will be happy to advise you on the ideal explosion proof crane system – practical, compliant with standards, and tailored to your individual requirements.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions on Explosion Proof Cranes
An explosion proof crane – also referred to as an ex proof crane – is a crane system designed so that none of its components can ignite a surrounding explosive atmosphere. This applies to the complete system: hoist, trolley, crane travel drives, and controls. JDN crane systems achieve this through purely pneumatic or hydraulic drive technology – they operate entirely without electricity, eliminating electrical ignition sources by design rather than by add-on protection.
JDN cranes are powered by compressed air or hydraulics for every motion – lifting, lowering, trolley travel, and crane travel. Since no electrical components are involved, there are no sparks, no overheating coils, and no short circuits that could act as ignition sources. This inherent concept means even standard JDN crane systems are suitable for many ATEX-classified areas.
JDN offers four main designs: overhead cranes (single-girder or double-girder), underhung cranes including low-headroom and ultra-low-headroom versions, column-mounted jib cranes, and wall-mounted jib cranes. All designs can be configured for potentially explosive atmospheres and adapted to your building situation and load spectrum.
JDN crane systems are available with lifting capacities up to 100 t and crane spans up to 36 m. Within this range, each system is configured individually – including control type, travel drives, and hoist arrangement – to match your specific application.
The complete system is designed for hazardous areas: hoists, trolleys, and crane travel drives all operate pneumatically or hydraulically and therefore without electrical ignition sources. For applications requiring additional protection against mechanical sparks, JDN equips the crane with copper-plated hooks and bottom blocks as well as brass load and trolley wheels.
Yes. JDN underhung cranes are available in low-headroom and ultra-low-headroom designs that make maximum use of restricted building heights. Combined with compact JDN air hoists, they enable safe lifting in halls where conventional crane installations would not fit.
An electrically driven crane needs extensive protective measures for hazardous areas – encapsulated motors, sealed components, and special certifications – which add cost and complexity. A pneumatic or hydraulic crane avoids electrical ignition sources altogether. In addition, JDN drives support a 100 % duty cycle: they run continuously without thermal shutdowns – a decisive availability advantage in continuous operation.