Gantry Cranes

Their self-sufficient design allows them to move independently and position objects anywhere within their designated work area. Suited to both outdoor and indoor sites, they are a great, cost-effective option for businesses that require a flexible solution capable of transporting goods in locations unsuited to larger, permanent installations.

Gantry cranes are available in several configurations; each built for different purposes and applications. Reading Crane & Engineering offers a wide selection of gantry cranes, tailored to your lifting needs.

Gantry cranes are available in several configurations; each built for different purposes and applications. Reading Crane & Engineering offers a wide selection of gantry cranes, tailored to your lifting needs.

Full Gantry Cranes

The most popular type of gantry crane, consisting of two supporting legs that run along a fixed set of tracks embedded in the ground. Commonly used in outdoor settings or buildings incapable of supporting an overhead crane, full gantry cranes can span long distances and have the capacity to lift large, bulky, and oversized loads.

Semi-Gantry Cranes

Combining features of full gantry cranes and traditional bridge cranes, semi-gantry cranes consist of a long girder supported by a single leg attached to a floor-mounted rail on one end and an elevated runway on the other. A popular retrofit solution, semi-gantry cranes can lift heavy materials with less steel, fewer rails, and a smaller footprint.

Fixed Gantry Cranes

Unlike other gantry cranes, fixed gantry cranes are installed permanently in a single location. Their legs are anchored to the floor in order to provide a stable lifting platform in facilities that aren’t interested in modifying the building structure. Strong and low maintenance, they are a practical choice for operations where lifting activities are confined to a single area.

Portable Gantry Cranes

Compact and lightweight, portable gantry cranes are mounted on locking casters or wheels, allowing operators to reposition them in different work areas. Ideal for temporary jobs, maintenance work, and facilities with changing production layouts, portable cranes provide flexible coverage in situations where permanent systems aren’t workable or cost-effective.

Single-Girder Gantry Cranes

Single-girder gantry cranes offer reliable performance without the costs associated with larger, more complex systems. Well-suited to everyday lifting operations involving light-to-medium loads, their simple setup and limited structural components make them easy to customize with different spans, heights, lifting capacities, and mobility options.

Double-Girder Gantry Cranes

Double-girder gantry cranes are built for heavy-duty lifting. Their rugged design provides additional strength, allowing them to bridge wider work areas and support high-demand operations that handle large, oversized loads. Robust components and reinforced materials help them withstand years of demanding service with few operational concerns.

Adjustable-Height Gantry Cranes

Adjustable-height gantry cranes let you raise or lower the top beam, allowing you to reconfigure the system to suit different lifting tasks and working environments. This not only helps you work around physical constraints, but also simplifies storage and transport, enabling a single crane to do the work of several units.

Gantry cranes offer numerous operational advantages, making them a smart investment for any operation that values:

Versatility

Gantry cranes are highly adaptable and easy to customize. In addition to their single and double-girder configurations, owners can also select units with various hoists, multiple lifting points, and variable-speed controls, allowing them to handle a wide range of materials in nearly any environment, both indoors and outdoors.

Cost-Effectiveness

Compared to permanent overhead cranes, gantry cranes are often more economical. Because they aren’t tied to the building’s support structure, they can be quickly dismantled, relocated, and reused in different areas of a facility or job site, reducing the need for multiple fixed cranes and expensive infrastructure.

Space Efficiency

Gantry cranes are low-clearance systems that don’t require extensive overhead support, making them a great choice for locations that need to make efficient use of space and don’t have room to install load-bearing structures. They also allow you to cover multiple workstations with a single system while leaving the areas below open for workers and vehicles.

Ease of Installation

Because gantry cranes are designed for quick assembly and disassembly, they are ideal for temporary or evolving work sites. Their modular components and simple setup mean they require less engineering and preparation than a typical overhead crane, while their freestanding design lets you install them without seriously altering your workspace.

Enhanced Safety

Reading’s gantry cranes can be equipped with advanced safety features such as overload protection, emergency stop functions, and precise control mechanisms to help ensure safe lifting operations and reduce the risk of accidents. Incorporating remote or pendant controls also gives operators a clear view of the load while it’s in motion.

Reading Crane & Engineering is one of the most respected crane manufacturers in the United States. Our equipment is found in operations in both North and South America and backed by:

• What is a gantry crane?

  A gantry crane is an overhead lifting system supported by freestanding legs. While some units are fixed in place, most are mobile, moving back and forth over your work area with the use of wheels or a track system.

• What is the difference between a gantry and a bridge crane?

  Bridge cranes are supported by tracks and runways built into a building’s superstructure. Gantry cranes are self-sufficient units that operate independently of the building or surrounding infrastructure.

• What is the lifespan of a gantry crane?

  If properly installed and maintained, gantry cranes typically last 15-30 years. Systems in harsh environments with heavy duty cycles normally have shorter life spans than ones used to handle lightweight materials in sheltered locations. However, thanks to robust construction and expert maintenance, some of Reading’s cranes have been in operation for over a century!

• Do gantry cranes require a permanent foundation?

  Any gantry crane mounted on rails or tracks requires a permanent foundation. Portable units, however, do not require any foundational support.

• How much weight can a gantry crane lift?

  Gantry cranes can lift objects weighing between 250 pounds and 600 tons, depending on their size and configuration.

• Can gantry cranes be used outdoors?

  Yes, because they don’t rely on pre-existing structures, gantry cranes are well-suited to outdoor operations.