Premium Casting Wire Rope Crane Drum
Cast Iron & Cast Steel
As a direct-to-customer cast crane drum manufacturer, Glory Rail offers cast crane drums made of centrifugally
cast cast iron (HT200) and cast steel (ZG270-500), suitable for use in bridge, gantry, and hoist crane applications.
Material:
HT200/ZG270-500
Diameter:
300-1000mm
Max Load:
3.2T-100T
Groove Hardness:
HRC45-55
How to Choose Your Cast Crane Drum
Material & Configuration Guide
Not sure whether to choose cast iron or cast steel? Start by considering the rated load capacity. Cast iron drums are suitable for low-speed, light- to medium-duty applications; for heavy-duty applications, cast steel is recommended.
Select by Lifting Tonnage
| Lifting Tier | Recommended Material | Typical Size | Typical Duty |
|---|---|---|---|
| ≤ 16T (Light Duty) | Cast Iron (HT200) | Ø300–Ø500 | Slow-speed electric hoists / Light-duty winches |
| 16–50T (Medium Duty) | Cast Iron or Cast Steel | Ø500–Ø800 | Bridge / Gantry crane hoisting |
| 50–100T (Heavy Duty) | Cast Steel (ZG270-500) | Ø800–Ø1000 | Heavy-duty high-strength hoisting mechanisms |
Configurable Options
SHAFT
Long shaft vs Short shaft
The long shaft is connected to the reducer via a gear connection plate (common); the short shaft is connected directly to the reducer via a flange (rigid connection).
SURFACE
Spiral crane drum with rope groove vs Smooth
The spiral grooves guide the rope and reduce friction; smooth, grooveless ropes tend to run erratically and suffer from excessive wear.
WINDING
Single-layer vs Multi-layer
For single-layer applications, the cables should be neatly arranged; for multi-layer applications, a cable-arranging device or flanged guide plate is required, and a folding drum is recommended.
PROCESS
Centrifugal Casting
Both materials are produced using centrifugal casting: gray iron has good fluidity and is easy to cast, while cast steel has higher strength.
Need a drum that matches your crane’s specifications?
Provide your crane model, lifting capacity, and wire rope diameter, and Glory Rail engineers will respond within 24 hours with a solution for a crane drum with a rope groove.
Cast Iron vs Cast Steel
Two Materials, One crane drum assembly
Glory Rail’s cast crane drums are manufactured using the centrifugal casting process and are available in two grades: cast iron drums are made of gray cast iron with a grade of at least HT200 (GB/T 9439), suitable for low-speed, light-duty cranes; The cast steel drum is made of ZG270-500 (GB/T 11352), which offers higher strength and toughness and is suitable for heavier-duty applications.
| Property | Cast Iron HT200 | Cast Steel ZG270-500 |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | GB/T 9439[3] | GB/T 11352-2009[4] |
| Tensile Strength σb | ≥200 MPa (wall thickness 160–220)[3] | ≥500 MPa[4] |
| Yield Strength σs | — (cast iron has no yield point) | ≥270 MPa[4] |
| Elongation | Very low (brittle) | ≥18%[4] |
| Impact KV2 | Low | ≥22 J[4] |
| Castability | Excellent (good fluidity) | Fair (low carbon steel recommended) |
| Typical Duty | Slow speed / Light load / ≤50t | Heavier load / High strength requirements |
Casting Crane Rrum Detail Specifications
The following are reference models for the two materials: cast iron models range from 3.2T to 75T; cast steel models now include the Φ800×4000 size and can handle up to 100T.
Cast Iron Crane Drum Specifications
| Dimension (mm) | Lifting Capacity (t) | Pulley Ratio | Screw Pitch | Lifting Height (m) | Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ø300×1000 | 3.2 | 2 | 14 | 12 | 264 |
| Ø300×1500 | 3.2 | 2 | 14 | 18 | 342 |
| Ø400×1000 | 5 | 2 | 16 | 16 | 334 |
| Ø400×1500 | 10 | 3 | 16 | 16 | 454 |
| Ø500×1500 | 16 | 3 | 20 | 16 | 753 |
| Ø650×2000 | 32 | 4 | 24 | 16 | 1500 |
| Ø800×2000 | 50 | 5 | 28 | 12 | 2534 |
| Ø1000×4000 | 75 | 5 | 32 | 20 | 3390 |
| * Here are only the specifications of some cast iron drum models. Contact us for more choices. | |||||
Cast Steel Crane Drum Specifications
| Dimension (mm) | Lifting Capacity (t) | Pulley Ratio | Screw Pitch | Lifting Height (m) | Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ø300×1000 | 3.2 | 2 | 14 | 12 | 264 |
| Ø300×1500 | 3.2 | 2 | 14 | 18 | 342 |
| Ø400×1000 | 5 | 2 | 16 | 16 | 334 |
| Ø400×1500 | 10 | 3 | 16 | 16 | 454 |
| Ø500×1500 | 16 | 3 | 20 | 16 | 753 |
| Ø650×2000 | 32 | 4 | 24 | 16 | 1500 |
| Ø800×2000 | 50 | 5 | 28 | 12 | 2534 |
| Ø800×4000 | 75 | 5 | 32 | 20 | 3390 |
| Ø1000×4000 | 100 | 6 | 36 | 20 | 6070 |
| * Here are only the specifications of some cast steel drum models. Contact us for more choices. | |||||
Cast steel offers one additional size range compared to cast iron: φ800×4000 (75T). At the largest size range, φ1000×4000, cast steel can reach 100T / magnification 6 / pitch 36 / 6,070 kg, whereas cast iron is limited to 75T / ratio 5 / pitch 32 / 3,390 kg—this clearly demonstrates that cast steel has higher strength and can withstand greater loads (ZG270-500 tensile strength ≥500 MPa[4]).
Can’t find a specification that matches your tonnage?
Glory Rail custom-manufactures cast wire rope crane drums (Φ300–Φ1000, 3.2T–100T). Provide drawings or specifications, and we will custom-manufacture a crane drum with a rope groove for you.
Why Choose Our Industrial Cast Crane Winch Drum
High-Strength Cast Material: Cast iron HT200 (tensile strength ≥200 MPa) or cast steel ZG270-500 (tensile strength ≥500 MPa, elongation ≥18%). Cast iron is suitable for light to medium loads, while cast steel is suitable for heavy loads up to 100 metric tons.
Precision Crane Drum with Rope Groove: Rope groove pitch: 14–36 mm; surface high-frequency hardened to HRC 45–55; hardened layer depth: ≥2 mm. The helical rope grooves ensure even rope distribution and reduce wear.
Compact Crane Drum Assembly & Flanged Crane Drum: Integrated drum shaft, gear connection plate, internal gear ring of the flanged crane drum, hub, and bearings. The long shaft is driven via the gear plate, while the short shaft is directly connected via a flange; the flanged gear ring does not slip under full load.
Full Customization & Multi-Standard: Φ300–Φ1000 mm, 3.2 T–100 T. Rope grooves, shaft types, and number of winding layers are all customizable. Standard DIN/ASTM/GOST/GB/JIS/ANSI/BS, ISO-certified castings. Customization available upon request based on provided drawings.
Not sure whether to choose cast iron or cast steel?
Tell us your crane type and duty class, and we will recommend the appropriate material for the cast crane drum and include a material warranty certificate with our quote.
Examples Of Our Wire Rope Drum Photos
FAQ
Cast iron (HT200) has good castability and is suitable for low-speed, light-load applications (≤50 t); cast steel (ZG270-500) has a tensile strength of ≥500 MPa and good toughness, making it suitable for heavier-duty applications.
The assembly consists of the cylinder, cylinder shaft, gear connecting plate, flanged internal gear ring, hub, bearings, and bearing housings.
Yes, as a professional crane drum manufacturer, we not only offer standard rope grooves but also customize precision crane drums with rope grooves based on wire rope diameter, including multi-layer Lebus rope grooves to prevent wire rope tangling and wear.
Casting processes (particularly centrifugal casting or resin sand casting) can produce seamless industrial cast crane winch drums that offer superior overall structural strength, fatigue resistance, and a longer service life, making them particularly suitable for heavy-duty applications.
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Get In Touch
After submitting the form, your dedicated account manager will contact you immediately to provide full-process technical support from selection to installation.
Your Expert in Crane Rail Solutions
To help us provide a faster and more accurate tailored solution, please consider including:
1. Rail Specifications: Rail section type, profile, or standard, and your required unit length.
2. Order Quantity: Total quantity of rails, matching fasteners, or related equipment needed.
3. Material & Grade: Specific steel material requirements or performance grades.
4. Technical Files: Any custom technical requirements, drawings (CAD/PDF), or project specifications.
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