Material Handling Basics: What is a Gantry Crane?

A gantry crane is a type of overhead crane with legs that support its bridge, trolley, and hoist. Larger gantry systems can travel on rail or track embedded in the ground, typically running in a straight line or covering a work area. Smaller gantry systems run on wheels or casters that can move throughout a facility for light fabrication work or maintenance. 

A gantry crane is typically used for outdoor applications or lifting materials below existing overhead bridge crane systems. Manufacturing facilities, shipyards, scrap yards, railyards, special construction sites, steel mills, and other applications all use gantry cranes.

Overhead Gantry Cranes vs. Bridge Cranes

Unlike a bridge crane, an overhead gantry crane does not need to be attached to a building’s support structure. This design eliminates the need for support columns and permanent runway beams and makes gantry cranes portable and versatile.

Why Use Spanco Gantry Cranes?

Lifting and moving heavy materials does not need to involve installing expensive equipment or permanently changing your facility. Gantry cranes can be relocated easily, and Spanco Gantry Cranes, in particular, have a greater degree of flexibility than stationary cranes or permanently installed systems. They can be assembled and disassembled easily and quickly, which makes them ideal for use in multiple work areas or rented facilities.

Additionally, unlike most other gantry cranes, Spanco Gantry Cranes are designed to be moved under load. Spanco Gantry Cranes are unsurpassed in design, durability, strength, and quality construction. Their precision tolerances and welding ensure operational stability and component alignment.

Spanco uses standardized quality wide flange beams and American I-beams. All nuts, pins, and bolts are plated for corrosion resistance. Spanco Cranes have capacities from 250 pounds to 15 tons and the ability to move under load, which makes them an effective material handling solution for many applications.

Spanco Gantry Crane Products

From portable to adjustable, Spanco Gantry Cranes come in hundreds of versatile models. Some of our gantry cranes include: 

• A-Series Gantry Crane: These cranes come in three styles and are portable, lightweight, and affordable. 
• Aluminum Gantry Crane: Starting at just 116 pounds, these cranes are easy to transport and assemble. 
• E-Series Gantry Crane: With a standard E-frame design, these cranes are straightforward and dependable. 
• PF-Series Gantry Crane: Portal frame (PF) cranes are suitable for a high-height, high-capacity solution. 
• Single-Leg Gantry Crane: If you require a smaller gantry crane, the single-leg model is perfect for optimizing your available space.
• T-Series Gantry Crane: Our T-Series Gantry Cranes offer three-way adjustability to navigate multilevel floors.

Our gantry cranes also adhere to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards, so you can feel confident that you’re keeping employees safe. 

Purchase Overhead Gantries From Spanco 

Spanco has decades of experience providing high-quality material handling equipment, and we’ll work with you to find the ideal gantry crane for your application. Use our system selector tool or contact us online today!