Whether you’re handling heavy construction materials, lifting massive steel coils, or transporting large containers, gantry cranes play a crucial role in improving efficiency and safety. Read on to discover the various uses of gantry cranes and learn how to choose the right one for your specific applications.
What Are Gantry Cranes Used For?
What is a gantry crane used for exactly? According to the Gantry Crane Market Research Report by The Brainy Insights, the use of gantry crane is divided into construction, manufacturing, port and logistics, mining, and others. Among them, gantry crane uses in construction sector led the market in 2023, accounting for approximately 38% of the market share. Below, you can learn more about what gantry cranes are used for in these and other industries.
Construction
In the construction industry, especially for large infrastructure projects, gantry cranes are frequently used for lifting heavy beams, concrete components, and structural elements. They provide a stable platform for lifting and positioning loads with precision, making them perfect for road and bridge construction, large buildings, or tunnel construction.
Below are some examples of how gantry cranes are used in large-scale construction projects:
50 Ton Double Girder Gantry Crane for Tunnel Construction
- Span: 40 meters
- Lifting Height: 80 meters
- Uses of Gantry Crane in Tunnel Construction:
- Lifting and removing waste materials from deep within the tunnel to maintain a clean and organized worksite
- Facilitating smooth excavation and construction processes in confined tunnel spaces
180 Ton Straddle Carrier Gantry Crane for Viaduct Construction
- Span: 18 meters
- Lifting Height: 15 meters
- Uses of Straddle Crane in Viaduct Construction:
- Lifting prefabricated segments from transport vehicles
- Transporting the segments across the site to the installation location
- Installing, aligning, and splicing the segments to complete the viaduct structure
Manufacturing
One of the primary uses of gantry cranes is in manufacturing plants where heavy equipment and materials need to be moved efficiently. Whether it’s lifting large machinery, steel components, or fabricated parts, gantry cranes are used for handling heavy loads in tight spaces. They are often used in factories that produce large-scale industrial products, such as automotive parts, steel, or heavy-duty machinery.
Here are examples of how our gantry cranes are utilized in the manufacturing industry:
Rubber Tyred Gantry Crane Uses in Steel Tank Manufacturing Plant
- Span: 19.8 meters
- Uses of 40T Rubber Gantry Crane in Steel Tank Plant:
- Transferring steel tanks within the factory yard
- Loading and unloading processed steel tanks onto trucks for transportation
64 Ton Gantry Crane for a Steel Manufacturing Plant
- Load Capacity: 64 ton (32+32 ton)
- Span: 42 meters
- 64 Ton Gantry Crane Uses in Steel Plant:
- Lifting and moving steel pipes for storage
- Loading and unloading steel pipes for transportation
Port and Logistics
Gantry cranes are a critical piece of equipment in ports and logistics operations, where they are used to load and unload containers from ships, trucks, and trains. Container gantry cranes, particularly rail mounted and rubber tired gantry cranes, are designed to handle large containers quickly and safely.
The following is an example of how our container gantry crane is used in a logistics terminal:
45 Ton Container Gantry Crane for Logistics Terminal
- Crane Type: RMG crane
- Span: 38 meters
- Gantry Crane Uses in Logistics Terminal:
- Loading and unloading 20ft, 40ft, and 45ft containers from trucks and trains within the logistics terminal
- Ensuring safe and precise container stacking for optimized space usage in the yard
32 Ton Double Girder Gantry Crane for a Logistics Hub
- Span: 30 meters
- Uses of 32T Gantry Crane for Logistics Hub: Lifting containers at the logistics hub for loading, unloading, and stacking.
Shipbuilding and Maintenance
In the shipbuilding and maintenance industry, gantry cranes are used for the construction and maintenance of ships, boats, and other maritime vessels. These cranes are essential for handling heavy components such as ship hulls, engines, and large sections of ships under construction.
The following is an example of how our boat gantry crane is used for shipbuilding and maintenance:
500 Ton Mobile Boat Gantry Crane for a Shipyard
- Maximum ship weight: 500 ton
- Uses of 500 Ton Boat Gantry Crane:
- Moving ships or boats from the construction area to the water for launching
- Enabling the repair and maintenance of ships by lifting them out of the water for inspection and servicing
More Industries Using Gantry Cranes
So, what is a gantry used for in your industry? Are you looking for a crane to improve you work efficiency and safety? Keep reading to explore the various types of gantry cranes and find the perfect fit for your uses.
Different Types of Gantry Cranes: Designed for Various Uses
Now that you are familiar with the different uses of gantry cranes, it’s important to understand that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Our gantry cranes come in various types, each designed to meet specific lifting needs across a range of industries.
Single Girder Gantry Crane: Suitable for Light to Medium Duty Application
Single girder gantry cranes are often used in light to medium duty lifting operations. They are generally designed for tasks where load capacities do not exceed 20 tons.
The single girder gantry cranes are common in smaller warehouses, garages, or light industrial applications. They are also used in tasks like lifting and moving smaller machinery, tools, or materials within confined spaces.
Double Girder Gantry Crane: Perfect For Heavy Duty Application
Double girder gantry cranes offer much greater lifting capacities and are suitable for more demanding industrial tasks. With their robust design, the double girder gantry cranes can handle loads ranging from 10 tons to 500 tons and beyond.
They are often used in large-scale operations, including steel mills, shipyards, and heavy manufacturing facilities.
Rubber Tyred Gantry Crane: For More Versatile And Flexible Uses
Rubber tyred gantry cranes are incredibly versatile and can be used across a wide range of industries, including ports, shipyards, construction sites, manufacturing facilities, energy plants, and precast concrete production.
Equipped with rubber tires for mobility, rubber tyre gantry cranes can move freely across different operational areas. In addition, with advanced steering system, this type of crane can navigate tight spaces, change direction quickly, and maximize operational efficiency in crowded or confined areas.
Rail Mounted Gantry Crane: Essential for Container Terminal Efficiency
Rail mounted gantry cranes are fixed to tracks, offering precise control over container stacking and yard management.
These cranes are essential for operations in ports and container terminals, where large volumes of containers need to be moved efficiently across the yard. RMG cranes are particularly beneficial in container terminals where high-speed, high-capacity handling is crucial.
Whether you require a mobile gantry crane for versatile tasks in construction or manufacturing, or a double girder crane for heavy-duty lifting, selecting the right type of gantry crane for your application is crucial for enhancing both efficiency and safety in your operations. In the next section, we’ll explore how to choose the ideal crane for your specific uses.
How to Choose the Right Gantry Crane Based on Its Uses
Choosing the right gantry crane for your project is crucial for ensuring efficient operations, safety, and productivity. The type of crane you select depends largely on the specific use and environment in which it will operate. Below are key factors to consider when choosing a gantry crane based on its intended uses:
Determine Load Capacity Requirements
The first step is to assess the maximum weight of the load you need to lift. Different applications require different crane capacities:
- Light-duty tasks like handling small equipment or components may only need a 1-10 ton crane.
- Heavy-duty applications, such as lifting large steel coils or machinery, will require cranes with much higher capacities (e.g., 100 tons or more).
Ensure the crane you choose has enough lifting capacity to handle your heaviest load, with a margin for safety.
Consider the Span and Lifting Height
- Span: The span is the distance between the two support legs of the crane. It should be wide enough to cover the area where materials need to be moved. For applications like container handling in ports, the span should be designed to cover large container stacks. For smaller areas like warehouse storage, a narrower span may be sufficient.
- Lifting Height: The lifting height refers to how high the crane can lift the load. For industries such as construction, where you need to lift beams or concrete panels to higher levels, a crane with a tall lifting height is necessary. Warehouse and logistics operations often require a standard height to stack goods, so a more modest lifting height may be sufficient.
Mobility and Terrain Compatibility
Choose a gantry crane based on how mobile it needs to be for your application:
- Rail-Mounted Gantry Cranes: These are fixed along tracks and are ideal for large-scale operations such as container yards and ports. Rail mounted cranes are best for moving containers over long distances along fixed routes.
- Rubber-Tyred Gantry Cranes: These are highly versatile and mobile, suitable for moving goods within warehouses, ports, and construction sites. They can operate on uneven surfaces and navigate tight spaces.
Environmental Conditions
The environment in which the crane will operate should influence your choice:
- Harsh Environments: If the crane will be exposed to extreme temperatures, heavy corrosion, or marine environments, you’ll need a crane made of materials resistant to these factors. For example, cranes used in shipyards or marine operations should be corrosion-resistant.
- Indoor Operations: In factories or warehouses, an indoor gantry crane with a standard control system and minimal weather resistance may suffice.
Project Duration and Usage Frequency
- Frequent Uses: For industries with continuous operations, like ports or steel mills, choosing a durable, high capacity gantry crane with a high work duty cycle is essential.
- Occasional Uses: If the crane will be used for specific tasks or on a seasonal basis, a more cost-effective, light duty gantry crane may be sufficient.
Ready to find the perfect gantry crane for your project? Contact us today for expert guidance and customized gantry crane solutions tailored to your specific applications. Our team is here to help you select the ideal crane that maximizes efficiency and performance in your operations. Let’s get your project lifting safely and efficiently!
Benefits of Using Gantry Cranes
Increased EfficiencyGantry cranes are designed for high lifting capacities and fast operations, which helps to significantly increase efficiency in your operations. Their ability to lift and move heavy loads with ease ensures that tasks are completed in less time compared to manual labor or other equipment. This translates to improved productivity, faster turnaround times, and reduced operational costs.
Ideal for Outdoor UsesUnlike overhead cranes, which require fixed infrastructure, gantry cranes are ideal for outdoor uses. Whether you’re lifting materials for construction or handling containers in a shipping yard, outdoor gantry cranes can be adapted to meet the challenges of outdoor environments.
High MobilityGantry cranes, particularly rubber tyred gantry cranes, are designed to be highly mobile. These cranes are equipped with wheels or tyres that allow them to move across various surfaces with ease. This mobility provides greater flexibility, allowing for easy repositioning within the work area.
CustomizabilityGantry cranes can be tailored to suit specific lifting requirements, such as load capacity, span, lifting height, and control options. Whether you need a light duty crane for small parts handling or a heavy duty gantry crane for large equipment lifting, our cranes can be designed to meet your unique needs.
Aicrane After-Sales Service: Maximizing the Long-Term Uses of Your Gantry Crane
Our after-sales service ensures that your gantry crane use remains efficient, safe, and reliable throughout its service life, no matter how demanding the applications.
Installation Support: Ensuring Proper Setup for Optimal Gantry Crane Use
Proper installation is essential to ensure your gantry crane is used for its intended applications with maximum efficiency. Our after-sales service includes expert installation guidance, whether on-site or remotely, to ensure your crane is set up safely and correctly.
Operator Training: Maximizing the Safe Uses of Your Gantry Crane
To ensure that your team can safely operate the crane, we offer comprehensive operator training. Our training programs cover everything from basic operation to advanced maintenance procedures, ensuring that your team is fully equipped to handle the crane’s operation and safety features.
Regular Maintenance Services: Extending the Uses of Your Gantry Crane
Our scheduled maintenance services are designed to keep your crane in top condition, whether it’s used for transporting steel coils in warehouses or lifting heavy equipment at construction sites. Regular maintenance prevents unexpected failures and ensures that your crane can be used for long-term, heavy-duty tasks without interruption.
Spare Parts Availability: Quick Access to Parts for Continuous Crane Use
To ensure your gantry crane continues to function at its best, we offer a wide range of high-quality spare parts. Our after-sales service ensures that you have quick access to genuine, durable parts designed for your specific crane model.
Looking to learn more about overhead gantry crane uses or need expert advice on choosing the right crane for your specific needs? We’re here to help you find the perfect solution! Contact Aicrane today for personalized guidance and recommendations tailored to your business requirements.
