CMAA Crane Duty Classifications Explained

 Here’s what you need to know about CMAA crane classifications in Canada.

CMAA is the Crane Manufacturers Association of America, Inc., an independent trade association affiliated with the Material Handling Industry. CMAA traces its roots to the Electric Overhead Crane Institute, known as EOCI, which was founded in 1927 by leading crane manufacturers of that time to promote the standardization of cranes as well as uniform quality and performance. The voluntary association was incorporated as the Crane Manufacturers Association of America, Inc. in 1955. Member Companies, representing the industry leaders in the overhead crane industrycome from the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

CMAA Crane duty classification has set up a standard for crane classifications that are used to help define the use of a crane. These standards are based on capacity and usage and help us to select the right hoist and crane for your operations. Accepted as the industry norm in Canada, US, and Mexico they help to insure standards are in place across manufacturer’s and installers, which ensures that the end user has a crane lifting system that matches their needs.

CMAA_Crane Service Classes tearsheet download.

CMAA Crane Duty Classifications

Crane Classification	Typical Installation	# Lifts per/hr.	Average Lift	Shift	Typical Workload	Key Points
Class A Standby or Infrequent Service	Power Houses Public Utilites Turbine Rooms Motor Rooms Transformer Stations	0 – 2	10 ft.	Single Shift Operation	Precise handling at slow speeds with idle periods between lifts Capacity loads may be handled for intial installation of equipment and for infrequent maintenance	H1 Hoist Maintenace crane in machine house Used only occasionally
Class B Light Service	Repair Shops Light Assembly Operations Light Warehousing	2 – 5	10 ft.	Single Shift Operation	Loads vary from no load to occasional full rated loads	H2 Hoist Light service requirements Slow speed
Class C Moderate Service	Machine Shops Paper Mills Machine Rooms	5 – 10	15 ft.	Single Shift Operation	Average load is 50% of rated load 50% of less of the lifts are at the rated capacity	H3 Hoist Minimum 1.15 service factor on bridge motion 5,000 L-10 bearing life
Class D Heavy Service	Heavy Machine Shops Foundries Fabricating Plants Steel Warehouses Container Yards Lumber Mills Stanadard Duty Bucket & Magnet Operations	10 – 20	15 ft.	1 – 2 Shift Operation	Average loads approaching 50% are continuously handled 50% of less of the lifts are at the rated capacity	H4 Hoist Minimum 1.3 service factor on bridge motion 10,000 L-10 bearing life Lift the maximum capacity with 30% frequency Typically faster speeds over Class C A Built-Up Hoist is typically used in this type of application and is tailored towards a specific application with a heavy duty cycle to handle demanding needs.
Class E Severe Service	Magnet Bucket Magnet/Bucket Combo Scrap Yards Cement Mills Lumber Mills Fertilizer Plans Container Handling	20+	20+ ft.	24/7 Continuously	Continuous use at/or near capacity	H4+ Hoist Minimum 1.75 service factor on bridge motion 20,000 L-10 bearing life Continuously lifts at the maximum capacity Typically faster speeds over Class C and D A Built-Up Hoist is typically used in this type of application and is tailored towards a specific application with a heavy duty cycle to handle demanding needs.