What is a davit crane?

Mar 28th 2025

A davit crane is a compact, often portable lifting device designed to move heavy loads with precision and control. Featuring a vertical mast, a pivoting boom, and a manual or electric winch, davit cranes are used in a wide range of industries for tasks that require lifting in confined or hard-to-reach spaces. They’re especially useful where floor-mounted or large-scale cranes aren’t feasible.

Thern Davit Cranes: Built for Versatility and Performance

At Bishop Lifting, we proudly offer Thern davit cranes—trusted for their reliability, durability, and American-made quality. Thern offers an extensive lineup of cranes tailored for everything from rooftop HVAC installs to lifting pumps in wastewater plants to marine applications.

Types of Thern Davit Cranes

Portable – Lightweight, disassemblable cranes for use across multiple sites. Popular models include:
- First Mate 500 Series 5PF5
- Ensign 500 Series 5PA5
- Ensign 1000 Series 5PA10
- Commander 500 Series 5PT5
- Commander 1000 Series 5PT10
- Commander 2000 Series 5PT20
These cranes are ideal for lighter to medium-duty lifting and are designed to be moved and reassembled easily.
Stationary – Permanently mounted cranes for repetitive, heavy-duty lifts. Top models include:
- Captain 2000 Series 5FT20
- Captain 2500 Series 5FT25
- Captain 4000 Series 5FT40
These cranes offer higher capacities and are built for long-term use in fixed locations.
Transportable – A hybrid category with only one model: the Thern Admiral 3000 Series 5PT30. This high-capacity crane lifts up to 3,000 lbs (1,360 kg) and is designed with a modular structure that allows disassembly and reassembly at multiple locations. It features a telescoping boom (up to nearly 10 feet), full 360° rotation under load, and tool-free setup using quick-release hardware and clevis-style pins.

Common Applications

Water & wastewater treatment
Construction & maintenance
HVAC installation
Marine/offshore operations
Manufacturing and warehousing

Key Features of Thern Davit Cranes

Multiple Load Capacities

Thern models range from 500 to 5,500 lbs., depending on the series (e.g., First Mate, Ensign, Commander, Captain, Admiral).

Versatile Winch Options

Available with manual or electric winches—including AC, DC, pneumatic, or hydraulic power for precision control.

Material and Finish Options

Choose from:

Red powder-coated steel
Galvanized
304/316 stainless steel
Gray epoxy paint

Each finish is tailored for different environments, from general industrial to harsh marine and corrosive settings.

Mounting Base Configurations

Thern cranes work with several mounting options:

Pedestal base
Flush-mount
Wall-mount
Rolling base (varies by model)

Cable Assembly Options

Both galvanized and stainless cable assemblies are available for Thern davit cranes. Choose the best option for your environment:

Accessories & Customization

Accessories such as headache balls (to keep wire rope tensioned) and bearing kits with 12-position locks for precision control are available. Most customers select a crane and winch combo, then purchase their base and cable assembly separately to match their application needs.

Advantages of Davit Cranes

Compact and easy to install
Rotates up to 360° for full range of motion
Ideal for vertical and below-grade lifts
Lower installation and maintenance costs compared to jib or gantry cranes
Durable construction built for extreme conditions

Comparing Davit Cranes to Jib Cranes

While both are used for material handling, davit cranes offer better portability, a smaller footprint, and easier installation. They’re designed for lifting out of confined spaces or remote access points, whereas jib cranes are typically larger, fixed systems that require more space and infrastructure.

Conclusion

Whether you’re working on a marine vessel, a rooftop install, or a wastewater facility, Thern davit cranes offer the strength, flexibility, and durability you need. Their lineup spans from light-duty portable options to heavy-duty, stationary models with advanced load control features.

Shop our full selection of Thern davit cranes at Bishop Lifting—in stock and ready to ship. Our experts are here to help you build the right combo of crane, winch, base, and accessories to match your jobsite needs.

FAQ

What is a davit crane?

A davit crane is a lifting device with a mast and rotating boom that uses a winch to lift and lower heavy loads. It’s ideal for confined or vertical lifting applications.

What types of Thern davit cranes are available?

Thern offers portable, stationary, and transportable models. Portable cranes are lightweight and mobile, stationary cranes are fixed and high-capacity, and the Admiral 3000 is Thern’s only transportable crane—designed for tool-free breakdown and setup across multiple job sites.

What does transportable mean?

A transportable crane is designed for high lifting capacity and frequent relocation. Unlike portable cranes, it offers the strength of stationary models with modular, tool-free disassembly and reassembly features.