The locomotive crane is similar in general construction to the steam shovel. A locomotive crane consists of a welded steel car body, rotating machine house, lattice boom and two sets of trucks designed to run on railroad track. The major components include a diesel engine, generator, traction motors, axles and various mechanical and hydraulic systems and controls. These cranes have a lifting capacity ranging from 25 to 250 tons depending of their size and how they are equipped. A unique feature of locomotive cranes is their ability to perform lifting operations while serving as a locomotive for one or more attached rail cars.

Locomotive is a self-propelled vehicle, usually electric or diesel-powered, for pulling or pushing freight or passenger cars on railroad tracks. It provides the motive power for a train. It has no payload capacity of its own, and its sole purpose is to move the train along the tracks. Traditionally, locomotive pulls trains from the front.

Loft Block Idlers can add to under hung loft blocks to carry the weight of the cables and prevent rubbing against adjacent block side plates. They are not intended to carry line loads or to act as deflector or mule blocks. The idler sheaves have 1/4 inch cable grooves with a 3/8-inch shaft in a 12-gauge steel housing with two 1/4 inch bolts and pipe spacers to mount the housing and captivate the cables in the grooves. The idler assemblies consist of one or two 3-1/2 inch diameter, 3 line nylon sheaves mounted on the side of the loft block in a steel housing.

Loft Block Pivot is used for beams 4″ - 8-1/2″ wide for single line 55 series blocks. The pivot bracket is required for mounting on loft beams with more than 1-1/2° of slope. It is welded to loft beams after final alignment.

Loft Block has clip design that accommodates beam widths of 4″-12″ and flange thicknesses up to 1″. It has dual shielded, molded in ball bearings for added support and alignment. It also has integrated cable keeper system, precision laser cut brackets and self-aligning pivoting system. Each loft block quickly attaches to building steel via high strength bolt and locknut that promote constant holding pressure on the mounting beam. The design of this loft block allows it to pivot on two axes.