Crane Remote Control
A crane remote control puts the operator in charge of an overhead lift from a handheld transmitter instead of a corded pendant, so you can stand clear of the load and watch the landing from wherever the sightline is best. This collection carries the Bison radio remote kits, wireless retrofit systems that wire onto an existing electric chain hoist, powered trolley, or full bridge crane. Each kit is matched to the number of motions you need to command, from a hoist working up and down on its own to a three-motion crane running hoist, trolley, and bridge together, and every version comes in single-speed or dual-speed form. Bison rates the radio link at roughly 300 ft, which is more range than most bays will ever ask of it.
Compare Radio Control Systems
| Model | Price | Manufacturer/OEM | Product line | Model numbers | Frequency | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bison Hoist, Trolley and Bridge Radio Remote Control | $788 | Bison Lifting Equipment (bisonlifting.com) — same confirmation basis as the other two Bison radio remotes. | Bison Universal Hoist + Trolley + Bridge Radio Remote Kit (for complete overhead cranes) | Q600 (Single Speed), Q606 (Dual Speed) | 433 MHz | View → |
| Bison Hoist and Trolley Radio Remote Control | $613 | Bison Lifting Equipment (bisonlifting.com) — same confirmation basis as the hoist-only remote. | Bison Universal Hoist + Trolley Radio Remote Kit | Q400 (Single Speed), Q404 (Dual Speed) | 433 MHz | View → |
| Bison Hoist Only Radio Remote Control | $569 | Bison Lifting Equipment (bisonlifting.com) — confirmed as the true OEM of this radio remote system, not a rebranded third-party product. The downloaded PDF data sheets are branded with Bison's own manufacturer contact info (www.bisonlifting.com, 201-366-4812, info@bisonlifting.com) on every page; no third-party OEM name (e.g. Saga, CMCO) appears anywhere in the sourcing. | Bison Universal Hoist Radio Remote Kit — hoist control only | Q200 (Single Speed), Q202 (Dual Speed) | 433 MHz | View → |
Radio Control Systems Buying Guide
Match the kit to the motions you command. The kits step up with the number of powered motions on your crane. The hoist-only kit commands lift and lower, the right pick for a fixed electric chain hoist or a hoist riding a plain push trolley, and it starts at $568.75 in single speed. Add a motor-driven trolley and you want the hoist and trolley kit, which drives the load up, down, and across the beam from $612.50. A full overhead bridge crane needs the hoist, trolley and bridge kit, which runs all three motions from one handset, from $787.50. Buy for the motions you power today: a hoist-only kit does nothing for a motorized trolley you have not set up for wireless control.
Single speed or dual speed. Every kit comes two ways. A single-speed remote runs each motion at one fixed rate, on or off, which is fine for straightforward pick-and-place work. A dual-speed remote gives each motion a fast rate for closing distance and a slow creep for the last few inches, so you set a load down gently and line up bolt holes without jogging the motor. That precision costs a little more, up to $896.88 for the dual-speed bridge kit, and it only helps if the hoist and trolley underneath are themselves two-speed machines. Pairing a dual-speed transmitter with a single-speed hoist buys you nothing, so match the kit to the gear you already run.
Why wireless beats a pendant. A corded pendant ties the operator to the crane and often to a spot right under the load. Going wireless breaks that tether. OSHA calls a crane run this way a remote-operated crane, controlled by any method other than pendant or rope, and the safety case is plain: you stand where the sightline is best, clear of the load path and the pinch points, and you can follow the load across its full travel instead of walking beneath it. Bison rates the radio link at about 300 ft, so on a long bay or an outdoor yard you keep command without chasing a cord. The handheld transmitter and its receiver come in the kit ready to mount.
Check fit before you order. These are retrofit kits, so the work before buying is confirming they match your equipment. They are built for Bison electric chain hoists and integrate with the hoist control circuit, so verify your unit's voltage and speed configuration against the kit before ordering. If you are still choosing the lifting gear itself, the hoists and jib cranes collections carry the powered units these remotes are made to command. When compatibility is uncertain, request a quote and confirm freight and lead time at checkout rather than guessing at the wiring.
Frequently Asked Questions
They are Bison kits built for Bison electric chain hoists, and they wire into the hoist control circuit rather than clipping on. Confirm your unit's voltage and its single- or dual-speed configuration against the kit before ordering, and request a quote if you are unsure about compatibility.
Each kit matches a number of powered motions. The hoist-only kit commands lift and lower, from $568.75. The hoist and trolley kit adds side-to-side travel along the beam, from $612.50. The hoist, trolley and bridge kit runs all three motions of a full overhead crane from one transmitter, from $787.50.
Single speed runs each motion at one fixed rate and suits routine pick-and-place work. Dual speed adds a slow creep for gentle set-downs and precise alignment, which pays off on delicate or repetitive positioning. Dual speed only works if the hoist and trolley underneath are two-speed machines.
Bison rates the radio link at about 300 ft. That is comfortably more range than a typical shop bay needs, and it keeps the operator in command across a long span or an outdoor yard without a trailing cord.
Yes. OSHA treats a crane operated this way as a remote-operated crane, controlled by a method other than pendant or rope, which lets the operator work clear of the load. Some sites keep a pendant fitted as a backup, so decide your setup before you install.