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DAVIT CRANES,
EXPLAINED

What you need to know before choosing a davit crane.
A straight-talk guide from the people who build them.

If you’ve ever had to lift something heavy in a tight space—at a wastewater treatment facility, on a rooftop for maintenance, inside a manufacturing plant, or on a busy distribution floor—there’s a good chance a davit crane was the safest way to get it done.

This guide covers the basics of how davit cranes work, where they’re commonly used, and the practical considerations that go into choosing the right one.

No fluff. No sales pitch. Just the stuff you need to know.

What is a Davit Crane?

At its core, a davit crane is a simple piece of lifting equipment made up of four main parts:

  • A base (how the crane is mounted)
  • A mast
  • A boom arm (fixed or adjustable)
  • A winch to raise and lower the load (manual or electric)
  • A rope assembly (wire or synthetic and swivel hook with safety latch)

What makes davit cranes so useful is their flexibility, portability, and small footprint. Unlike jib cranes, which require permanent installation and more space, davits are often used where space is tight, access is awkward, or the lift isn’t happening all day, every day.

They’re common in wastewater facilities, industrial plants, rooftops, marine environments, and anywhere a standard crane just won’t fit or make sense.

TYPES OF Davit CraneS

Not all davits are built for the same job.

Portable Davit Cranes

Portable davit cranes are designed to be moved from one location to another. They’re typically made from lighter materials, which allow you to remove the crane from the base, so the crane can be disassembled, transported, and reinstalled as needed.

These are a good fit when:

  • The lift location changes
  • Space is limited
  • Permanent installation isn’t practical
  • The crane needs to travel between sites
 

Most portable davit cranes are designed for loads in the 500-2,500 lb range, balancing lifting capacity with ease of handling and setup.

At OZ, we take that balance seriously. By using aerospace-inspired materials like advanced aluminum alloys and composite components, we’re able to design safe and easy to operate, portable davits that remain easy to handle—some weighing as low as 30 lb—while still offering working load limits up to 1,200 lb.

One of the biggest advantages of a portable davit is that one person can handle the whole process—move it, install it without tools, make the lift, and move it again—while staying within standard lifting guidelines.

Portable doesn’t mean temporary or less capable. It means the crane is engineered to deliver the strength you need, exactly where you need it, without adding unnecessary weight or complexity.

Stationary Davit Cranes

OZ stationary davit cranes are designed for applications that require higher capacities, longer reaches, or more frequent use—but that doesn’t mean they’re permanently fixed in place.

Like our portable systems, OZ stationary davits are built from modular, disassemblable components and mount into interchangeable bases. They install without tools and can be relocated if the application changes. The difference is weight and capacity, not flexibility.

Stationary davits are typically heavier than portable models, which means:

  • They may require two people to transport or install
  • They’re moved less often
  • They’re better suited for repeat lifts or higher-capacity applications
  • The crane needs to travel between sites


Common applications include:

  • Industrial facilities
  • Rooftop maintenance
  • Aerospace and aviation maintenance
  • Locations where lifting is part of routine operations


If the crane isn’t traveling between jobsites but still needs the option to be reconfigured or relocated, a stationary davit offers the strength and reach you need without locking you into a permanent installation.

Adjustable Davit Cranes

Both portable and stationary davits can be adjustable. Adjustable davits use telescoping or articulating boom arms that allow the reach and lift height to change.

Adjustable davits are especially useful when:

  • Lift points vary between jobs
  • Clearance changes during a lift
  • One crane needs to handle multiple tasks


One of the key advantages of adjustable davits is the ability to make on-the-fly adjustments during a lift. Our Tele-Pro® family of davit cranes is a great example. If a load is being lifted to a rooftop and it starts to scrape or hit the building, a standard crane would typically require the operator to lower the load, reposition the crane, and then attempt the lift again. With an adjustable davit, the boom length or angle can be modified while the load is suspended, allowing the lift to continue safely without interruption. This flexibility can save significant time and reduce the risk of damage to both the load and surrounding structures.

However, adjustability comes with added responsibility. Operators must ensure the crane is rated for the load at every boom position—not just at the shortest reach—and follow proper safety protocols during adjustments.

When used correctly, adjustable davit cranes combine versatility, efficiency, and safety, making them ideal for environments where lift requirements frequently change.

All OZ Lifting Products davit cranes are adjustable

Electric vs. Manual Winches

Convenience vs. control – Davit cranes can be paired with either electric or manual winches.

Electric winches are a good fit for:

  • Repetitive lifts
  • Heavier loads
  • Situations where speed and consistency matter

Manual winches still have a place, especially when:

  • Loads are lighter
  • Precise positioning is critical
  • Power isn’t available
  • **Optional drive driver adapters: Use a power drill for faster, smoother lifts while retaining precise control

Some of our manual winches also come with drill drive adapters. This allows operators to maintain fine control for precise adjustments, but also use a power drill with the adapter for faster, smoother lifts. The result is less physical effort, quicker operation, and a perfect balance of control and efficiency.

One thing we’ll say plainly: if operators are cranking a manual winch all day long, fatigue sets in, and that’s when shortcuts happen. Choosing the right lifting method is as much about safety as it is efficiency.

Common Davit Crane Materials

Plan for the environment – or pay for it later. 

The environment your crane works in is constantly trying to wear it down. Temperature, moisture, chemicals, salt, and weather all take their toll. Choosing the right material upfront can save years of headaches and replacement costs down the road.

Common materials include:

  • Aluminum – lightweight, corrosion-resistant, easy to move
  • Carbon steel – strong, durable, cost-effective for controlled environments
  • Composite materials – specialized applications where weight and corrosion matter
  • Stainless steel (Type 304) – excellent corrosion resistance for harsh conditions


Finishes also matter. Zinc-plating and powder coating add another layer of protection, especially outdoors or in washdown environments.

If your crane lives outside, near water, or around chemicals, material choice isn’t optional—it’s critical.

Mounting Options & Base Designs

How a davit crane is mounted is just as important as the crane itself. All OZ davit cranes are removable and interchangeable with any base style. OZ’s davit crane system compatibility means operators can move the same crane between pedestal, wall, socket, or wheel bases without tools. As long as the correct base series is used, bases are fully interchangeable, giving maximum flexibility and saving time.

Common mounting options include:

  • Pedestal base – commonly used with portable davits for easy installation and removal
  • Socket base – sit level with the floor for clear access when the crane isn’t installed
  • Wall or parapet base – useful when floor space is limited
  • Wheel base – allows the crane to move loads around a facility; floor anchors enable 360° rotation of the load


We’ve seen perfectly good cranes turn into daily frustrations because nobody thought about:

  • Operator positioning
  • Clearance around the base
  • Access after installation
  • Concrete depth and reinforcement

Reach & Height Considerations

Two numbers define whether a davit crane will work for your application:

  • Hook reach – how far the boom extends horizontally
  • Lift height – the vertical clearance needed to safely raise or lower the load


If the crane comes up short—or is too tall—the workaround often involves unsafe rigging, awkward positioning, or overreaching. That’s not a solution, it’s an accident waiting to happen.

Adjustable booms can help bridge small gaps, but only if the crane is rated for the load at every position. Side loading or overextending the boom are two of the fastest ways to damage equipment or create unsafe conditions.

Taking the time to measure the reach and lift height requirements for your job ensures the crane meets your functional needs and helps keep workers safe. A few inches can make all the difference—so plan carefully, measure twice, and lift with confidence.

Understanding Load Capacity

Before choosing a davit crane, you need an honest number for your maximum load—not an estimate, and not just the weight of the object being lifted. Lifting equipment isn’t forgiving, and assuming “close enough” can quickly turn into a safety hazard.

It’s also critical to account for:

  • Rigging – slings, chains, hooks, and attachments add weight and can shift load distribution
  • Dynamic forces – starting, stopping, and swinging loads can increase stress beyond the static weight
  • Boom position – reach and angle affect the effective load on the crane
  • Winch capacity – each winch has its own maximum load


Some applications may require a longer length of lift than is possible with the standard winch option. In those cases, a larger capacity winch which is able to hold more cable may be used. But keep in mind, a davit crane system is only as strong as its weakest link. The system derates to the lowest-rated component, meaning your maximum load is limited by the component with the smallest capacity. For example:

  • A 2,500 lb winch on a 1,200 lb crane does not allow you to lift 2,500 lb—the crane is the limiting factor, and the maximum safe load is 1,200 lb.


Choosing components that are correctly matched and rated for your specific lift conditions is not just good practice, it’s essential for safety and reliability. When in doubt, always err on the side of over-specifying rather than risking equipment failure or injury.

Environment of Use

Temperature swings, humidity, salt spray, chemicals, and weather exposure all affect how a crane performs over time. A crane that works great indoors may deteriorate quickly outdoors if it’s not designed or finished for the conditions it will face.

Different environments place different demands on materials and coatings:

  • Outdoor jobsites: exposure to sun, rain, and wind may degrade finish, metal, and rope assembly if not weatherproofed.
  • Wastewater and water treatment facilities: moisture, chemicals, and corrosive residues require corrosion-resistant finishes. Stainless steel and composite are the de facto options. 
  • Marine applications: Salt spray accelerates rust and corrosion; materials like composite or stainless steel and protective coatings are essential.
  • Industrial plants: chemical exposure, temperature extremes, and abrasive environments all call for tailored material choices.


Maintaining weatherproof coatings or choosing corrosion-resistant materials like composite or stainless steel can significantly extend crane life and reduce maintenance costs. Additionally, adding a protective cover can also extend the life of your equipment.

Matching the crane to its environment isn’t about luxury—it’s about longevity, reliability, and safety. A well-chosen material and finish combination ensures your crane can perform consistently in challenging conditions for years, keeping operators safe and reducing downtime and replacement costs.

DAVIT COVERS EXTEND THE LIFE OF YOUR EQUIPMENT

Choosing the Right Davit Crane

It’s simpler than it looks. You don’t need to be a crane expert to choose the right davit, but you do need the right information. Before making a decision, gather answers to these questions:

  • What’s the maximum load?
  • What reach and lift height are required?
  • Does the crane need to be portable or stationary?
  • What environment will it work in?
  • What base or mounting style makes sense?
  • Manual or electric winch?
  • Rope material requirements?
  • What’s the budget?

 

If you’re unsure, that’s normal. The right davit crane isn’t about bells and whistles, it’s about fit, safety, and reliability.

Our lifting experts are ready to learn about your application and match you with the right davit crane system. Contact us when you’re ready to specify your lift, and we’ll make sure it’s safe, reliable, and built to get the job done.

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