Table of contents

Introduction to Gantry Cranes

Gantry crane is a heavy-duty lifting device distinguished by ground-supported legs (unlike overhead cranes hung from roofs), with a horizontal main girder spanning between its legs. It handles 5-300 tons, suiting medium-to-heavy tasks. Available in single-girder type (for lighter loads, 1-20 tons), double-girder yard type (for heavier tasks, 5-800 tons), semi type or truss type.

Here, a gantry crane is explained in detail, including its definition, structure and components, working principle, application, specs etc. You learn more info about a gantry crane for your needs.

l-singe-girder-hoist-gantry-crane

L Type Single Girder Gantry Crane

a-gantry-crane

A Type Double Girder Gantry Crane

What Is A Gantry Crane？

A gantry crane is a large outdoor lifting device with a door-shaped steel frame mainly for heavy-load handling. Comply with the international safety standards (CE, ISO, EAC etc.), it eliminates the need for manual handling of bulky items and reduces workplace injuries while boosting efficiency.

It has key components: main girders (top load-bearing structure), supporting legs (connecting girders to the ground), a traveling trolley (moves along girders), and a hoisting mechanism (lifts goods via hooks/spreaders). Unlike EOT cranes (running on overhead factory rails), its legs ride on ground rails, letting it operate in open areas. It’s widely used in ports, freight yards, and heavy industry to handle containers, steel beams, or large machinery.

The common types of gantry cranes include single girder gantry crane & double girder yard gantry crane (two legs on rails) and semi gantry crane (one leg on rail, one on the ground for narrow spaces). Its different design enables flexible, long-distance lifting, fitting outdoor large-scale material transport needs.

single girder gantry crane

MH Single Girder Gantry Crane

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A Type Double Girder Gantry Crane

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BMG Semi Gantry Crane

Gantry Crane Structure and Components

The gantry crane consists of main beam, raveling trolley, supporting legs, the hoisting mechanism, gantry crane traveling mechanism, the power supply system, cab, safety devices and other crane spare parts. The functions of each indispensable part are as follows:

gantry crane structure
rmg-structure
  • Main Girder: The top load-bearing core structure that supports the traveling trolley and the weight of lifted goods.
  • Traveling Trolley: Moves along the rails on the main girder, carrying the hoisting mechanism to realize horizontal transport of cargo.
  • Support Legs: Vertical structures connecting the main girder to the ground, ensuring the crane’s stability; some have wheels for moving on ground rails.
  • Crane Travel Mechanism: Installed at the bottom of support legs, driving the entire crane to move along ground rails for long-distance operation.
  • Hoisting Mechanism: Includes motor, drum, and steel rope; drives the hook up and down to complete the lifting and lowering of heavy objects.

Different Gantry Crane Types

Gantry cranes can move or lift materials in construction sites, bridge construction sites, shipbuilding sites, hydropower plants and ore zones. Dafang Crane, a professional gantry crane manufacturer and supplier in China, offers different kinds of gantry cranes. Such as single girder gantry cranes, double girder gantry cranes, semi gantry cranes, truss gantry cranes etc.

If you want to better understand different types of gantry cranes and their application scenarios. The following article will help to choose the most suitable types of gantry cranes to enhance productivity.

Single Girder Gantry Crane

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MH Single Girder Gantry Crane

l-singe-girder-hoist-gantry-crane

L Type Single Girder Gantry Crane

MH Single Girder Gantry Crane

  • As the most standard and widely used single girder model, it features a single box-type or truss-type main girder. It has a moderate load capacity (typically 5–32t), a simple and lightweight structure, and lower costs.
  • It is ideal for open-air scenarios like small freight yards, workshops, warehouses, or construction sites to lift packages, steel pipes, small mechanical parts, or building materials.

L Type Single Girder Gantry Crane

  • It has an L-shaped support leg. One side is short (closely attached to walls or columns), and the other side is a standard long leg (riding on ground rails). It saves horizontal space and is suitable for narrow working areas.
  • It has a load capacity (usually 5–20t) similar to the MH type. With strong adaptability to limited spaces, such as narrow workshops, factory edge areas, or small logistics yards.

Double Girder Yard Gantry Crane

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U Type Double Girder Gantry Crane

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A Type Double Girder Gantry Crane

U Type Double Girder Yard Gantry Crane

  • The unique U-shaped main girder structure allows long or bulky goods (e.g., steel beams, large profiles) to pass through the girder gap easily.
  • It has a medium-to-high load capacity (5-550 ton), good lateral stability. So the U type double girder gantry crane is highly suitable for steel plants, profile processing workshops, or yards to lift heavy cargos.

A Type Double Girder Yard Gantry Crane

  • Featuring A-shaped support legs, this design reduces wind resistance, enhances structural rigidity, and saves space at the leg base.
  • It has a high load capacity and a high working class. What is more, it can adapt well to harsh outdoor environments. So it is suitable for open-air ports, large freight yards, or heavy machinery factories to lift containers, large castings, or heavy equipment.

Semi Gantry Crane

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BMH Single Girder Gantry Crane

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BMG Double GIrder Semi Gantry Crane

BMH Single Girder Semi Gantry Crane

  • Features a single main girder, with one set of support legs riding on ground rails and the other side relying on factory walls or concrete columns.
  • It has a medium load capacity (2–10 ton), compact structure, and saves ground space. It is ideal for narrow workshops, small yards. It is cost-effective, easy to install, and suitable for handling light-to-medium materials like steel pipes, packages, or small machinery.

BMG Double Girder Semi Gantry Crane

  • Adopts two parallel main girders, with one side having support legs (on rails) and the other side supported by fixed structures.
  • It offers higher load capacity (5–320 ton) and stronger stability. So it can adapt to frequent heavy-duty operations. Suitable for heavy industry workshops and large freight yards to lift heavy loads such as large steel components, mold equipment, or semi-finished heavy products.

Truss Gantry Crane

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MH Truss Single Girder Gantry Crane

mg truss gantry crane

MG Truss Double Girder Gantry Crane

MH Single Girder Truss Gantry Crane

  • Features a single truss main girder (lightweight, material-saving structure) with an offset trolley running along one side of the girder.
  • It’s suitable for medium-low load scenarios (usually 5-20t), has lower self-weight and cost, and is easy to install/maintain. Common in small factories, warehouses, or yards for handling steel plates or packages.

MG Double Girder Truss Gantry Crane

  • Adopts two parallel truss main girders, with the trolley moving between the two girders.
  • It has high load capacity (up to 300 tons), strong stability, and a high working class. Ideal for heavy-duty operations in ports, large freight yards, or heavy industry plants to lift containers, large steel beams or heavy machinery.

What is a gantry crane used for？

A gantry crane is suitable for open-area heavy-load lifting and transport across multiple sectors:

  • Steel Industry: Lifts steel billets, finished steel plates, or large profiles in steel plants, supporting production line transfers.
  • Heavy Machinery Manufacturing: Assists in lifting large machine parts (engine blocks, frames) during assembly in factories.
  • Warehousing: Moves heavy cargo (large packages, industrial equipment) in outdoor warehouses with wide spaces.
  • Port & Logistics: Handles container loading/unloading from ships/trucks, or transfers bulk goods (grain, coal) in freight yards.
  • Construction Sites: Transports building materials (reinforcement, precast components) at construction sites, especially for high-rise or bridge projects.
Precast Girder Lifting Gantry Crane

Construction Sites

Precast Girder Lifting Gantry Crane

Precast Plants

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Warehouses

BMH-Semi-Gantry-Crane

Manufacturing Workshops

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Industrial Park

u gantry crane

Construction Sites

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Precast Industry

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Shipbuilding Sites

Gantry Crane Specification

Single Girder Gantry Crane

Main ModeL/MH/BMH
Lifting Capacity1-32 ton
Span3-31.5 m
Lifting Height6-24 m
Lifting Speed8,0.8/8 m/min, 7,0.7/7 m/min
Working temperature-25℃～+40℃
Power Supply3 Phase AC 380V 50HZ
Control modeRemote Control/Pendent control/Cabin Control(customized)
Work DutyA3-A5

Double Girder Gantry Crane

Main ModeA/U/BMG
Lifting Capacity5-800 ton
Span5-35 m
Lifting Height5-30 m
Lifting Speed2-8 m/min, 1-20 m/min
Working temperature-25℃～+40℃
Power Supply3 Phase AC 380V 50HZ
Control modeRemote Control/Pendent control/Cabin Control(customized)
Work DutyA3-A7

Notice: The items listed only for reference. Customizable solutions are available.

China Types of Gantry Cranes Quotes

TypesLifting CapacityPrice(USD)
Single Beam Gantry Crane1-32 ton$5000 ~ $60000, depending on specifications
Double Beam Yard Gantry Crane5-500 ton (Special-purpose modes up to 800 ton)$35000 ~ $80000, depending on specifications
Semi Gantry Crane (Single/Double Beam)2-10 ton, 5-320 ton$12000 ~ $500000, depending on specifications
Truss Gantry Crane (Single/Double Beam)3-20 ton, 60-300 ton$8000 ~ $600000, depending on specifications

Professional Gantry Crane Supplier in China

Now, you must have a comprehensive understanding of what is a gantry crane and you must know how to choose the most suitable types of gantry cranes to improve your working efficiency.

If you have interests in eot cranes, freestanding cranes, yard cranes, jib cranes, port cranes or crane parts, just directly contact our technicians and business manager. Later we will offer you the most professional guidance and support.

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