{"id":6415,"date":"2026-09-11T09:56:41","date_gmt":"2026-09-11T01:56:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hankocraneparts.com\/?p=6415"},"modified":"2026-09-21T10:49:37","modified_gmt":"2026-09-21T02:49:37","slug":"forged-crane-wheels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hankocraneparts.com\/de\/forged-crane-wheels\/","title":{"rendered":"Crane Wheels: Forged, Heat-Treated & NDT-Tested"},"content":{"rendered":"

Looking for forged crane wheels from a reliable supplier? Hanko supplies forged wheels with heat treatment and NDT testing for your overhead, gantry, portal, and metallurgical cranes. This page covers the wheel manufacturing process behind what we supply, material options, heat treatment capabilities, and quality standards.<\/p>\n

\"Forged<\/p>\n

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Featured Snippet: Quick Answer<\/h2>\n

Hanko supplies forged crane wheels from 45# steel and 42CrMo alloy steel. Wheel diameters range from 250 mm to 1200+ mm. Flange types include double-flange, single-flange, and flangeless. Tread surfaces are induction-hardened to 50\u201355 HRC. Material certificates (for example EN 10204 3.1) and magnetic particle inspection reports are available on request. Custom wheels are produced from drawings.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Crane Wheel Manufacturing Process<\/h2>\n

1. Material Selection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Material<\/th>\nApplication<\/th>\nTensile Strength (MPa)<\/th>\nHardness After QT (HB)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
45# (C45)<\/td>\nLight-duty, intermittent service<\/td>\n600\u2013700<\/td>\n229\u2013285<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
42CrMo (AISI 4140)<\/td>\nHeavy-duty, continuous service<\/td>\n900\u20131100<\/td>\n285\u2013341<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
35CrMo<\/td>\nPort and steel plant cranes<\/td>\n800\u20131000<\/td>\n269\u2013321<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
65Mn<\/td>\nMedium-duty forged wheels<\/td>\n750\u2013900<\/td>\n258\u2013321<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
40CrNi2MoA<\/td>\nExtra-heavy-duty applications<\/td>\n1000\u20131200<\/td>\n293\u2013341<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

You should select material based on your crane’s duty class, maximum wheel load, and operating environment. For guidance on selecting the right material, see our crane wheel material selection guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Close-up<\/p>\n

2. Forging<\/h3>\n

Wheels are open-die forged from steel billets on hydraulic presses. When you forge wheels, the process refines the steel’s grain structure, improving mechanical properties and fatigue resistance compared to cast wheels.<\/p>\n

When you forge a wheel, the forging temperature is 1100\u20131250\u00b0C, with a reduction ratio of minimum 3:1 from billet to forged blank. Grain flow is oriented to follow the wheel profile for optimal load-bearing capacity.<\/p>\n

For a comparison of manufacturing methods, see our forged vs cast crane wheels article<\/a>.<\/p>\n

3. Rough Machining<\/h3>\n

When you rough-machine forged blanks, you remove scale and surface defects, bringing the wheel close to final dimensions with machining allowance for heat treatment.<\/p>\n

4. Heat Treatment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Process<\/th>\nSpecification<\/th>\nPurpose<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Quenching & tempering (QT)<\/td>\nTread: 285\u2013341 HB<\/td>\nThrough-hardening for structural strength<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Induction surface hardening<\/td>\nTread surface: 50\u201355 HRC (500\u2013550 HB), depth 2\u20135 mm<\/td>\nWear resistance on running surface<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Normalizing<\/td>\nFull wheel: 200\u2013240 HB<\/td>\nStress relief for light-duty wheels<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

When you heat-treat your wheels, you control the hardness differential between wheel tread and rail. Typically, your rail should be 10\u201320 HB harder than your wheel tread. For more on this relationship, see our crane wheel vs rail wear guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n

5. Finish Machining<\/h3>\n

CNC vertical and horizontal lathes achieve final dimensions per drawing:<\/p>\n

– Tread diameter: tolerance \u00b10.1 mm (precision) \/ \u00b10.5 mm (standard)<\/p>\n

– Bore: H7 tolerance for press-fit bearings<\/p>\n

– Flange: \u00b10.5 mm on height<\/p>\n

– Surface roughness: Ra 1.6\u20133.2 \u00b5m on tread<\/p>\n

\"CNC<\/p>\n

6. Inspection and Testing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Test<\/th>\nScope<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Dimensional inspection<\/td>\nAll critical dimensions per drawing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hardness test<\/td>\nTread surface and at least 3 positions<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Magnetic particle (MT)<\/td>\nTread surface, flange root, bore<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ultrasonic (UT)<\/td>\nFor wheels \u00d8700+ mm or heavy-duty service<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Wheel Types Available<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Type<\/th>\nApplication<\/th>\nFlange Configuration<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Double-flange<\/td>\nStandard overhead and gantry cranes<\/td>\nFlanges on both sides<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Single-flange<\/td>\nRTG cranes, special guidance systems<\/td>\nOne flange, opposite side guided externally<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Flangeless<\/td>\nCranes with separate guide rollers<\/td>\nNo flange, requires external guide system<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

For full dimension ranges, see our crane wheel specifications<\/a>. For assembly details, see our crane wheel assembly guide<\/a>. For the selection process, see our crane wheel selection guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Single<\/p>\n

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How to Order Custom Crane Wheels<\/h2>\n

When you prepare your inquiry, gather the following information:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Parameter<\/th>\nDescription<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Wheel diameter<\/td>\nExisting or required tread diameter<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tread width<\/td>\nMust match rail head width<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Flange type<\/td>\nDouble, single, or flangeless<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bore diameter<\/td>\nShaft\/axle diameter<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hub width<\/td>\nTotal wheel width<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Keyway<\/td>\nWidth \u00d7 depth (for drive wheels)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Material<\/td>\nIf specified, otherwise we recommend based on duty<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hardness<\/td>\nIf specified<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rail type<\/td>\nProfile and head width<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Max wheel load<\/td>\nPer wheel<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Duty class<\/td>\nFEM<\/a> or ISO<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Quantity<\/td>\nNumber of wheels<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zeichnung<\/td>\nPDF or CAD preferred<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

When you need replacement wheels, a sample wheel or dimensional sketch is sufficient. We will produce a manufacturing drawing for your approval.<\/p>\n

Ready to order crane wheels?<\/strong> Send your wheel dimensions \u2014 diameter, tread width, bore, flange type \u2014 along with material requirements and quantity to Hanko<\/a>. Our engineers will confirm the material grade, heat treatment, and tolerances, then provide a quotation with a manufacturing drawing within 24 hours.<\/p>\n

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FAQ<\/h2>\n