What is a Gantry Crane?

A gantry crane is an overhead crane featuring freestanding supporting legs that move on a crane rail or track system, supporting a bridge with a single or double beam and a hoisting trolley system for material handling. These cranes can lift capacities ranging from a few hundred pounds to several hundred tons, with designs capable of handling up to 550 tons. They are highly efficient and cost-effective solutions for handling a wide variety of materials.

Gantry cranes are typically used in open areas or outdoors where an enclosed space is not needed, but they are also suitable for indoor environments such as workshops, warehouses, and maintenance rooms. We provide comprehensive services for the design, engineering, fabrication, and all types of technical support for gantry cranes, serving industries such as shipyards, rolling mills, iron and steel enterprises, storage areas, marble shops, and machinery manufacturing facilities.

Main Types of Gantry Cranes & Comparison
Gantry cranes come in a variety of types and styles, each designed to accommodate different loads and lifting capacities. The types of gantry cranes vary based on crane girder configuration, crane size, and hoisting trolley among other factors:

Based on Girder Numbers

Single Girder Gantry Crane: Consists of one bridge beam with a hoist trolley suspended from the lower flange of the crane girder. Available in configurations like semi-leg or two-leg designs, depending on the working conditions.

Double Girder Gantry Crane: Comprising two girder beams, these cranes are designed for heavy-duty applications, offering large spans, high bearing capacity, and excellent stability. They can be semi-leg or two-leg designs with A-frame or U-frame support legs.

Based on the type pf supporting legs

Full Gantry Crane: Standard configuration with a cross beam, supporting legs, and a lifting hoist. These cranes can be mounted on rubber-tyred wheels, move on embedded rails, or be portable with castors, depending on their design needs.

Semi Gantry Crane: Features one supporting leg on one side of the main girder, with the other side supported by a wall-mounted I-beam. These cranes combine the advantages of overhead and gantry cranes, making them versatile for both indoor and outdoor use.

Based on versatility

Portable Gantry Crane: Lightweight and flexible, these cranes are ideal for handling light loads. Available in steel or aluminum versions, they are a cost-effective choice for infrequent lifting needs and can be moved around a facility as required.

Adjustable Gantry Crane: Offers versatility with adjustable height, width, and horizontal beam to accommodate specific loads. These cranes are commonly used in light-duty applications but can be customized to meet various material handling requirements.

Based on girder configuration

Truss Gantry Crane: Features a truss-type main girder made of steel truss, making it lightweight and suitable for various industrial applications. It is ideal for handling large loads with minimal wheel pressure.

Box Gantry Crane: Has a box-shaped girder, allowing for longer bridge spans and greater load capacities. Box girder gantry cranes can be single or double box designs, with the hoist trolley positioned either under or on top of the beam.

Based on Leg Shape

L Shaped Gantry Crane: A single girder crane with L-shaped supporting legs, capable of handling large and long loads. L-shaped cranes are commonly used in freight yards, railroad terminals, and warehouses.

U Shape Gantry Crane: A double girder gantry crane with U-shaped support legs, offering extra space between the legs and girders for convenient handling of large loads such as containers. These cranes can be rail-mounted for lower running resistance or equipped with rubber-tyred wheels for increased portability.

Comparison of Types of Gantry Cranes
Zomax Crane offers a complete range of gantry cranes, including portable, full gantry, and semi-gantry configurations, with options like single girder, double girder, single leg, double leg, and different cantilever styles suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications.

Double Girder Gantry Crane vs. Single Girder Gantry Crane:

o Double Girder Gantry Crane: Offers greater structural stability and span, suitable for heavy-duty applications, with options for box beam or truss beam designs.

o Single Girder Gantry Crane: Simple structure, lower cost, and lighter weight, with configurations like L-shaped or C-shaped legs based on lifting requirements.

Full Gantry Crane vs. Semi Gantry Crane:

o Full Gantry Crane: No overhang on the main beam, with the trolley fully within the main span.

o Semi-Gantry Crane: Adjustable leg heights to meet site-specific needs.

Box Girder Gantry Crane vs. Truss Girder Gantry Crane

o Box Girder: High safety and stiffness, ideal for cranes with substantial tonnage.

o Truss Girder: Economical, lightweight, and suitable for applications requiring strong wind resistance but with lower rigidity and reliability.

Adjustable Gantry Crane vs. Portable Gantry Crane vs. Rail-Mounted Gantry Crane:

o Adjustable Gantry Crane: Versatile for warehousing and manufacturing settings.

o Portable Gantry Crane: Easy to relocate, ideal for infrequent lifting needs.

o Rail-Mounted Gantry Crane: Designed for moving large loads along a specified route.

Choosing the right type of gantry crane can significantly influence the overall cost. Contact us for a free consultation to help you select the best gantry crane for your needs.