Crane Plumbing

Making some of the most user-friendly toilets in the world

Crane is a uniquely Canadian company founded in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1906. It started out as a modest heating and plumbing business but with a resource boom in western Canada the company soon grew. Further economic activity from World War I fueled even more growth, and Crane was incorporated in 1918. Presently, the company has two manufacturing facilities that employ more than 200 people.

Crane’s toilet designs pretty much run the gamut of what’s currently available in the marketplace. It offers one-piece units (for increased sanitation and ease of cleaning) as well as a two-piece model (more affordable and easier to install.) It also has regular bowls, elongated bowls, barrier free units (for people with disabilities) and ultra low flush. Crane also offers lined toilet tanks, which cuts down on condensation due to temperature differences between the inside and outside of the tank.

Your Crane distributor should also be able to explain the difference between gravity-fed, siphon-jet and pressure assisted-units. These distinctions are important to know to prevent clogging, especially when dealing with an ultra low-flush unit.

There is a wide selection of Crane toilets, but customers will need to look closely at the specifications of each model to see how one is different from another. The model names include Hymont, Galaxy / Cranada, Sureflush, Radcliffe and Baby Bowl.

The Sureflush is a popular model for those who have concerns about clogging. The unit offers a three-inch flush valve as well as a pilot valve with backflow preventer. The Radcliffe, another popular model, provides a good combination of reliability and affordability.

Crane also sells a variety of bidets for those with disabilities or limited mobility. These include the Ventura Vitreous China Bidet, which has vitreous china with integral overflow, in-line punching and flushing rim with extended back shelf.

One of the interesting things about the model listings on Crane’s website is that many of them come with a streaming video that offers step-by-step instructions on how to install the product. The video is available in both Real Player and QuickTime and is perfect for those who have trouble following written instructions for installing a toilet.