A Lower Cost Alternative to the Bridge Crane – Gantry Crane

Bridge cranes are immensely popular for lifting heavy weights, and low-cost gantry cranes are widely recognized. These are considered a substantial alternative to overhead bridge cranes. These types of cranes are similar to the overhead crane only with the difference that they run on a track on the ground or ground level, not on an elevated track. The gantry bridge is supported by a pair of sturdy steel legs that are carried by a pair of headboards along the floor track. These cranes are accessible both indoors and outdoors in spans up to 150 feet and capacities up to 10 tons.

As gantry cranes are made to be mounted on the ground, there is no need for a track structure and therefore savings on concrete foundations. The gantry crane installation procedure is very simple and fast. Depending on the environment and application, these cranes can sometimes offer the same material handling potential as a comparable bridge crane system, but with significant cost savings.

But, in contrast, not all gantries will cost less than their counterparts, namely bridge cranes. But there are circumstances in which these can be very reasonable and efficient:

1. When the investor is not in the mood to put a significant amount into a bridge crane track structure.

2. When there is a requirement for material handling equipment for the interior and exterior of your building.

3. When there is a possibility to change the workplace and the owner does not want to afford a lot of losses.

Gantry cranes are easily assembled and disassembled, whether mounted or mobile. Gantries are profitably used in multiple industries. These cranes are available in steel, aluminum, or a lightweight model along with customizable heights and spans. Other crane variations include: Rail Mounted, Rail Mounted, Wheeled, Wheeled, Containerized, and Containerized Gantry Cranes.

Gantries of this type are classified into two categories: manual and motor-driven.

• Portable gantry (manual)

• Adjustable gantry (manual)

• Motorized gantry

Each type has its own benefits that could easily be compared to the benefits that bridge cranes offer. When we talk about manual gantries as part of your material handling equipment solutions, we say they are lightweight, very expensive, and easy to assemble and disassemble. They are said to be more productive and endowed with superlative security. And in the case of motorized cranes we can eliminate the need for gangways and they are easily transportable.

So we can say that investing in porches is not a bad deal and therefore if the owner does not have much to spend on material handling equipment these are the best buy for him. Gantry cranes have all the capabilities and efficiencies enjoyed by overhead bridge cranes. But before buying a gantry, one should review its needs and utilization because if to see the money you invested in gantries and then you realize that you need much larger cranes like the jib crane, all your work will go to waste.