The JD Neuhaus company has a long-established reputation for the supply of safe, reliable, low-maintenance handling equipment for chemical and other industries subject to hazardous environments.

The major safety factor of the JDN products, including cranes, hoists and winches, is their equipment is operated by compressed air (or optionally hydraulics), rather than utilising electric power. This ensures a high degree of explosion-proofness when handling hazardous chemicals or when working in otherwise dangerous environments or atmospheres. Lifting equipment is 100% duty cycle rated, thus eliminating downtime, and can be remotely controlled using pendant cable controllers, or wireless hand-held radio operated units.

Equipment safety ratings for use in potentially explosive conditions are Ex II 2 GD IIA T4(X) / II 3 GD IIB T4(X). Increased spark protection, involving a galvanised copper plated finish for the hoist bottom block and load hook assembly, can be supplied to achieve an Ex II 2 GD IIB T4(X) rating. Increased sparking protection for operation in explosions group IIC, covers the supply of bronze running wheels, travelling gears and the hand gear mechanisms of trolleys for a rating of Ex II 2 GD IIC T4(X).

The JDN general duty mini series air hoists, with lift capacities from 125kg to 1,000kg, are rated Ex II 3 GD IIA T4(X). All units, including the larger capacity JDN handling products with lift capacities up to 115t, are suitable for lube-free operation with easy maintenance. They feature sensitive, infinitely variable speed control for precise load positioning, with overload protection as standard. They are also insensitive to dust, humidity, fumes and other generally poor working conditions and can operate in a temperature range of 20°C to 70°C.

The products provide general lifting or load transfer operations within the chemical and a wide range of general industries. Submersible pumps, motors, pipework and containerised raw finished goods can all be safety and efficiently accommodated for plant operation, repair or maintenance including tank cleaning functions. Special purpose hoists for big bag handling or twin parallel hoist units with synchronised lifting can also be supplied, together with low-headroom hoists where limited space is available.

The JDN hydraulically operated crane systems include single or double girder overhead travelling cranes, underslung cranes with low headroom trolley designs and slewing jib cranes. The products can also feature rack and pinion drives for safe power transmission in offshore or other vessel mounted operations if required.