Heavy Rigging

What is Gantry? Types, Benefits, and Applications

Cranes are important for carrying heavy loads, but what to do if traditional cranes can’t reach certain areas or lack the necessary mobility? This is where gantry cranes come in, making it hassle-free for you to carry loads. Want to know more? 

In this article, we are going to discuss what is gantry, its types, benefits, and much more. So, let’s dig in!

What is Gantry? 

A gantry, known as a gantry crane, is specialized lifting equipment that has two or more horizontal beams supported by free-standing legs. These legs have wheels that aid in easy movement along the track. 

Gantry cranes are divided into two classes: single and double girders. The former are useful in carrying smaller loads, while the latter proves to be fruitful for lifting heavy loads and have high working capacity. Gantry cranes are popularly used in warehouses, workshops, freight yards, and railroads. 

Types of Gantry Cranes 

Gantry cranes come in different types and styles with varying load capacities. Some common ones include:

Full Gantry Crane

A full gantry crane is supported by two uprights or legs on each side, and it travels along two rails on the floor. It’s the common gantry setup offering excellent stability for carrying heavy loads efficiently, like heavy industrial machinery

Semi Gantry Crane

Semi gantry crane is supported by one leg on one side while the other side is attached to a building structure or columns. This type of gantry crane is suitable for workspaces where a traditional or full gantry crane’s setup is impractical. It doesn’t require two runways for movement and can be easily set up in both outdoor and indoor settings. 

Portable Gantry Crane

Another type of gantry crane is a portable gantry crane. It’s a lightweight crane featuring rubber wheels or casters, with a lifting capacity ranging from half a ton to as high as five tons. You can easily move them to any location, and these cranes are ideal for temporary lifting needs. 

Adjustable Gantry Crane

The adjustable gantry crane, as the name suggests, has an adjustable height, beam, and width to meet the demands of the load. It comes in two versions, portable and fixed, offering great convenience in settings where space is restrained. 

Benefits of Gantry Cranes 

Gantry cranes are useful in many applications, and as per Transparency Market Research, the global gantry crane market is expected to reach US$ 3.5 Bn by 2030, which is huge. This high demand and quick growth is attributed to the plenty of benefits these cranes offer, given as:

  • High Lifting Capacity: Gantry cranes have incredible lifting capacity due to their robust construction and powerful lifting mechanisms. They can easily handle every size and shape of load, making them indispensable in various industries.
  • Mobility: Unlike fixed cranes, gantry cranes offer excellent mobility. They feature wheels that allow easy relocation to different work areas or project sites, enabling versatile and flexible use. 
  • Precision and Safety: Gantry cranes are quite safe compared to other options in this category. These cranes provide accurate load positioning and precise placement of materials or machinery. Hence, there’s less risk of accidents like damage to machinery or injury to personnel. 

Applications of Gantry Cranes

Now that you are aware of what is gantry crane and its benefits let’s now look at the many applications of this crane:

  • Construction Sites: Gantry cranes are widely used on construction sites to help in the assembly of many structures, like buildings and bridges. 
  • Warehouse and Logistics: One of the major uses of gantry cranes is in warehouse and logistics. They carry different goods within the facility, minimizing handling time and preventing damage to goods. 
  • Ports and Shipping Yards: You’ll also see gantry cranes on ports and shipping yards as they help in loading and unloading goods from shipping containers. 

Conclusion

Gantry cranes are designed to streamline your lifting operations efficiently. With their versatility, high loading capacity, and amazing safety features, these cranes are useful in many industries and sectors like warehousing, ports, and construction. 

If you are wondering where to get machinery and equipment moving solutions, Solid Hook Inc. is the one-stop shop. We offer different products like scissor lifts and forklift rentals, as well as other machinery movers to meet your needs. 

Contact us today to explore our range of lifting solutions and take your business to new heights!

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