Gantry cranes and Brückenkräne play an important role in industrial production, building construction and cargo handling. Despite their similar functions, there are significant differences in terms of structure, application scenarios, environmental performance and price. In this article, we will compare the characteristics of these two cranes in detail to help you better choose the right equipment.

The structure and appearance of the difference

  1. Gantry cranes
    Gantry cranes are named because they resemble the structure of a “door”, with the top beam supporting the columns on both sides to form a gantry frame. This design makes it especially suitable for outdoor sites, such as yards, wharves, etc.. The lifting mechanism of gantry crane is usually mounted on the crossbeam, which can travel along the crossbeam to realize lateral movement and vertical lifting of goods. Its unique structure makes it suitable for operating environments with large spans and high heights.
double beam gantry crane
  1. Bridge Crane
    The structure of overhead bridge cranes resembles a “bridge” and consists of a bridge spanning the working area and support beams. It is usually used in indoor environments such as factories and warehouses. The lifting mechanism of the overhead travelling crane is mounted on the bridge and travels along the bridge, allowing lateral and vertical movement of the load. Due to its compact design, the bridge crane is more suitable for indoor places with limited space.
grab bucket overhead crane
double girder grab bucket overhead crane

the difference in the use of the scene

  1. Gantry cranes
    Gantry cranes are mainly used in outdoor sites, such as ports, wharves, freight yards and so on. Its large span and high lifting capacity make it particularly suitable for lifting large cargoes, such as containers and steel. In addition, gantry cranes require less ground conditions and are suitable for operation in open air environments.
  2. Bridge cranes
    Bridge cranes are more suitable for indoor environments, such as factory workshops and warehouses. They are flexible in operation and suitable for lifting small to medium-sized cargoes, such as machine parts, plates, and so on. Due to its low space requirement, the bridge crane is able to operate efficiently in narrow operating environments.

the difference between the function and scope of application

  1. Gantry crane
    The biggest feature of gantry crane is its large span and high lifting capacity, which can meet the operational needs of high height and span requirements. Its large carrying capacity is suitable for lifting heavy goods, commonly used in ports, shipyards and other places. In addition, gantry cranes can further enhance lifting efficiency and safety by means of double machines or multiple machines with multiple lifting points.
  2. Bridge Crane
    Compared with gantry cranes, bridge cranes are suitable for working in indoor environments with limited space, and are more flexible and efficient. They are often used on production lines to quickly load and unload small to medium-sized loads. With low energy consumption and good environmental performance, overhead cranes are suitable for places that require frequent operation.

Comparison of environmental performance and price

  1. Environmental performance
    Overhead cranes are usually considered more environmentally friendly due to their lower energy consumption. While gantry cranes have relatively high energy consumption due to the need to operate in an open-air environment.
  2. Price
    From the price point of view, the selling price of bridge cranes is usually lower than that of gantry cranes. Gantry cranes are also relatively expensive due to their complex structure, large load capacity and high manufacturing cost.

Schlussfolgerung

There are significant differences between gantry cranes and overhead cranes in terms of structure, usage scenarios and functions. Gantry cranes are suitable for outdoor sites, have large load carrying capacity, and are suitable for lifting large-sized goods; while overhead cranes are more suitable for indoor environments, flexible in operation, and suitable for lifting small to medium-sized goods. Selection of cranes should be based on the actual operational needs, site conditions and budget for comprehensive consideration.

Through the comparative analysis in this article, we hope you can better understand the difference between gantry cranes and overhead cranes so that you can choose the most suitable lifting equipment for your project.