Gantry cranes and overhead cranes are both types of lifting devices. They can both be used for lifting and lowering operations and can either be manually or electrically operated. Both crane types can be used in an indoor setting while gantry cranes can also be used in outdoor environments.
What is the main difference between a gantry crane and an overhead crane?
An overhead crane, often referred to as a bridge crane is shaped like a moveable bridge whereas a gantry crane has an overhead bridge supported with it’s own frame. Bridge cranes are attached to the interior structure of a building and are mounted onto the girders that support the roof and walls of the building. They are a permanent installation in factories and warehouses and can lift extremely heavy objects.
Gantry cranes are more flexible and versatile than bridge cranes. They are completely self-sufficient and are supported by their own A frames. Gantry cranes are usually on wheels or mounted onto a track system. They are far easier and quicker to assemble than bridge cranes and can be easily moved outside and inside and from site to site where required.
Portability vs strength
When you need a super strong lifting device for moving extremely heavy objects, overhead cranes have the highest maximum lifting capacity. This is because they are mounted into a building’s structure to create a permanent fixture and are used in warehouse or factory setting where repeat procedures are carried out on a regular basis.
For applications where flexibility and mobility are required, gantry cranes are the only option. Gantry cranes have excellent lifting capacities and can be used in a wide range of scenarios including confined space access and fall protection. They can be combined with a range of lifts, hoists, and winches, and can be used for lifting materials, machinery, equipment, and personnel.
An added advantage to gantry cranes is that they are often on castors to create a mobile lifting device which allows for a more cost-effective solution which can service across an entire work site in a range of applications.
Which crane system is best for you?
As mentioned above, if you require a permanently installed crane for regular factory or warehouse lifting operations, then installing an overhead crane is the best option. If, on the other hand, you require a more flexible lifting device that can be quickly deployed, easily transported around a worksite or to different sites and is suitable for a range of applications then a gantry crane is an excellent choice.
At REID Lifting, we supply a range of strong, durable, and high performing gantry cranes that can be customized to meet your application requirements. If you’d like to find out more about our gantry crane range, have a look at our Porta Gantry and Porta Gantry Rapide for more detailed product information.
To get in touch with the team at REID, call +1-(888)-721-6411 or send us a message online.