Material Handling Basics: What Is a Gantry Crane?

A gantry crane is an overhead crane with one or two legs that move on wheels, tracks, or rail systems. Smaller gantry systems run on wheels or casters that can move throughout a facility for light fabrication work or maintenance. Larger gantry systems travel on rail or track embedded in the ground, typically running in a straight line or a work area. 

Gantry cranes are mainly used in the construction industry and have several applications. They are also used in power generating and manufacturing facilities, HVAC applications, shipyards, scrap yards, railyards, special steel mills, mining, and anywhere else where heavy loads are required to move.

Six Gantry Crane Benefits 

Gantry cranes are a great alternative to large, permanent systems. In addition to offering up to a 15-ton lifting capacity and being completely mobile, there are plenty of advantages to using gantry cranes. Take a look at the list below.

1. Quick Assembly

Gantry cranes can be used in a facility without pouring foundations or permanent installation. They are ideal for rented facilities or future workflow changes because they can easily be disassembled and relocated. Unlike most permanent material handling systems, gantry cranes can also be used to move loads from indoors to outdoors or between buildings.

This design eliminates the need for support columns and permanent runway beams, making gantry cranes portable and versatile.

A gantry crane can be rolled into an employee’s workstation and start lifting in seconds. If the gantry always follows the same path, fixed-path gantry cranes make moving the crane simple and fast.

2. Easily Customized 

Gantry cranes’ heights, spans, and casters can be easily customized for different industries and applications. PF-Series Gantry Cranes are available with standard heights of up to 35 feet, standard spans of up to 40 feet, and capacities of up to 15 tons. 

Spanco Gantry Cranes are designed with adjustable height and span capabilities. The T-Series cranes have adjustable tread and cantilever capabilities, which makes it easy to move material over uneven floors, through narrow spaces, or under low clearances.

Spanco T-Series, A-Series, All-Aluminum, and E-Series Gantry Cranes can roll to all corners of a facility to get full coverage. If space is an issue, a single-leg gantry can provide a lifting solution using a wall-mounted I-beam and a single A-frame leg. Different wheel options allow the gantry to have the right wheels for specific applications.

Every Spanco Gantry Crane is equipped with casters that allow it to be moved under load. Most Spanco Gantry Cranes are equipped with standard molded polyurethane steel core casters, which provide smooth operation and low rolling resistance on smooth concrete surfaces. 

Nylacron™ casters, available for gantry cranes exclusively through Spanco, are an excellent option for manually moving high-capacity cranes under load. They allow users to move a gantry crane with a force of less than one percent of the system’s maximum rated capacity.

Another option available for Spanco Aluminum Gantry Cranes is the use of pneumatic tires. Pneumatic tires are ideal for outdoor applications because they are much easier to move over soft or uneven terrain, such as roof or grass surfaces. 

3. Cost-Effective

As the economy continues to struggle, companies are reluctant to make large investments, especially in the material handling industry. Large permanent lifting solutions are costly, so companies want to solve their material lifting needs without making large investments. 

Gantry cranes are a great alternative to large, permanent systems. The PF-Series’ higher capacity and larger height make it a cost-effective alternative to large bridge cranes.

Gantry cranes are versatile investments that cost less than a permanent solution. The right investment will go a long way.

4. Complete Mobility

One of the biggest benefits of using a Spanco Gantry Crane is the ability to move it while it is carrying a load. While many manufacturers strictly limit or prohibit this, Spanco Gantry Cranes can move under load, giving them a greater range of motion than stationary gantry cranes or permanently installed systems. 

Most Spanco Gantry Cranes allow manual movement under load, but some high-capacity applications require motorized movement. When you need a motorized gantry crane, a Spanco PF-Series is the way to go.

Motorized gantry cranes can move along a fixed path using trackless, crane rail, v-groove track, or guide angle drives. Unlike permanently installed cranes, these options can be moved easily and installed in a different location if the gantry crane ever needs to be relocated.

5. Highly Versatile

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

Gantry cranes can be used indoors or outdoors. They are made of steel or aluminum and have adjustable heights, spans, or treads. These allow loads to fit easily through doorways or around obstacles during transportation. Gantry cranes can also provide a large range of motion in locations where permanent material handling structures can’t be used, such as rooftop applications. 

Spanco Gantry Cranes offers flexible, economical, and effective material handling solutions for many applications.

6. Improved Safety

Gantry cranes eliminate the need for workers to lift or carry heavy loads, reducing the risk of physical injuries. Spanco Gantry Cranes are designed to be moved under load and are made to last and carry heavy loads. 

Use extreme caution when moving a gantry crane under load. Keep the load as close to the floor as possible and position it in the center of the I-beam. Push the gantry crane instead of pushing the load. Avoid using a lift truck or other vehicle to push the gantry crane. 

For enhanced safety, keep the load steady so it doesn’t swing or roll against support legs. Ensure that the floor is clean, level, smooth, and obstruction-free.

Why Use Spanco Gantry Cranes?

Gantry cranes can be relocated easily. Spanco Gantry Cranes, in particular, are more flexible than stationary cranes or permanent 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. They are unsurpassed in design, durability, strength, and quality construction. Their precision tolerance and welding ensure operational stability and component alignment.

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

Spanco Gantry Crane Products

Spanco Gantry Cranes come in hundreds of versatile models, from portable to adjustable. 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. We’ll work with you to find the ideal gantry crane for your application. Use our system selector tool or contact us online today!