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Conveyors versus cranes and trucks

Short answer

Conveyors provide continuous, fixed-path movement for uniform loads like assembly lines. Overhead cranes offer intermittent overhead lifting for heavy, bulky items without using floor space. Industrial trucks (forklifts) give flexible floor movement for unit loads in warehouses and process layouts.

Differentiate between conveyors, overhead cranes and industrial trucks as material handling equipment, with their typical applications.

Material handling equipment is chosen according to whether the movement is continuous or intermittent, whether the path is fixed or variable, and whether the load is light or heavy.

BasisConveyorsOverhead cranes/hoistsIndustrial trucks
Type of movementContinuousIntermittent (lift, travel, lower)Intermittent
PathFixedAnywhere within a fixed area (bay), lifting vertically and travelling overheadVariable, on the floor
LoadLight to medium, uniform, in large numbersHeavy, bulkyLight to heavy, unit loads
FlexibilityLowMediumHigh
Use of floor spaceNeeds fixed floor/overhead spaceUses overhead space, floor kept freeNeeds aisles
CostHigh initial cost, low running costHigh initial costLow to medium initial cost
Typical useAssembly lines, bottling, miningHeavy machine shops, foundries, power stationsWarehouses, stores, loading docks
ExamplesBelt, roller, chain, screwEOT crane, gantry, jibForklift, pallet truck, hand trolley, AGV

Notes

  • Conveyors suit product layouts where a large volume moves between fixed points; a belt conveyor moves bulk material such as sand or grain, and a roller conveyor moves boxes.
  • Cranes lift loads vertically and move them across a shop without using floor space; they are used for dies, engines and castings.
  • Forklifts pick up palletised loads and travel anywhere in the plant, so they suit process layouts and storage.

✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)

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