A crane is basically a machine that integrates a hoisting mechanism to lower, lift, and horizontally carry a load. There are different classes of these mobile gantry cranes: they can either be stationary or mobile, power-driven or manual and requires a licensed crane operator to operate it. Typically, a gantry crane consists of a hoisting mechanism, or a bridge carrying a trolley, that is usually reinforced on either two or more legs affixed to rails or probably another structure. Although it’s quite the same as an overhead crane, it is often a fully mobile crane, since it’s being wheeled on rails.
Gantry Crane: Definition and Explanation
When it comes to the different components of a gantry crane, the very first thing you’ll find is the main structure that supports an object or workspace, which is referred to as the gantry. Between the two end wheeled trucks, there is a main beam running. Along this beam, you’ll find the hoist and trolley frame with wire rope and hook.
Most of the time, you’ll hear a lot of people refer to the gantry crane as a portal crane. This is usually in reference to the operation space within the portal or work zone of the gantry. Although most times you’ll hear the same people using the terms overhead and gantry interchangeably, there is certainly a huge difference between the two. It’s important to remember that unlike a gantry crane, a fixed structure, such as a building, will make an overhead crane remain stationary. https://aicranemachine.com/
Types of Gantry Cranes
There are several types of mobile gantry crane, such as rubber-tired, workstation, full, and container. These cranes are available in all sizes, regardless if it’s a relatively smaller structure that can fit indoors or a large structure that can carry tons of weight.
– Rubber-tired gantry crane. In general, it’s a relatively smaller gantry that operates on rubber tires, hence, doing away with the need for rails or tracks. Most often, they are found in container terminals straddling many lanes of rail or road.
– Container crane. Typically, it’s a rail-mounted gantry that moves through a quay or yard on a rail track. Instead of using a hook, this utilizes a spreader that usually lowers and sticks to the container’s corner castings, and using a twist lock to carry one to around four containers at once.
– Full gantry crane. It usually has a beam that acts as a support for the load that’s below the main structure. For really bulky loads like engines, this is an excellent option due to its structural design. Without the assistance of counterweights, the full structure withstands the load-created torque. Some of the biggest full gantry cranes can actually lift to 20,000 tons, and the biggest is currently in China.
– Workstation gantry crane. It’s ideal for transporting smaller items with small gantry cranes in and around a factory workstation or shop. They have many variations within this design, like an enclosed track or an I-beam running surface. Typically, they can load while stationary, as well as unload while mobile.