Gantry cranes are used in many different situations in which lifting heavy loads and being able to move the crane are important factors. Specialized models used for container ships and small workshops make the gantry crane one of the most used crane types in the world.

Definition of a Gantry Crane

A gantry crane is a crane that uses a hoist fitted to a trolley so it can move horizontally on wheels. The majority of gantry cranes are fixed on uprights that have wheels on the bottom so the entire crane can move. An overhead crane is fixed on uprights that rest on wheels that run on rails. The uprights are usually situated on parallel sides of a building so the uprights can run the entire length of the building and the hoist can traverse the width of the building.

What Gantry Cranes are Used for

Gantry cranes are used for lifting very heavy objects when the ability to move the crane horizontally is beneficial. Gantry cranes are commonly used for shipbuilding; the crane straddles the ship while lifting in heavy parts. Gantry cranes are also used in large ports to load and unload cargo ships.

The Largest Gantry Crane

The largest gantry crane in the world is in Yantai, China, at the Yantai Raffles Shipyard. Belfast, Northern Ireland, is home to possibly the most famous gantry cranes. Named Samson and Goliath, they were installed in 1969 and 1974. They both have a span of 140 meters and can lift a load of 840 tonnes.

Container Ship Gantry Cranes

One specialized type of gantry crane is called a ship-to-shore, rail-mounted crane. This kind of crane is used in container shipyards and was designed specifically for container work. The uprights of the crane have wheels that allow it to move along the dock and place or remove containers on any point of a ship.

Small Workshop Gantry Cranes

Small gantry cranes are often used to transport small items in a work area or factory shop. Often the workstation has a track that allows the gantry crane to move around the work area.

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