Beacon Gantry Cranes

Portable, Steel, and Aluminum Gantry Cranes Are Ideal for Many Applications

Gantry cranes are indispensable in terms of material handling equipment. This type of lifting equipment is used with crane accessories such as chain hoists, trolleys, and crane scales to form a complete lifting apparatus. Gantry cranes are available in a variety of styles to suit specific applications ranging from HVAC to workstation lifting.

Portable Gantry Cranes

Portable gantry cranes are designed for mobility in order to be positioned in different workstations. The advantage of a portable gantry crane is that it does not require the building to take on the load, unlike bridge cranes. When buildings are constructed, the structure of the building is designed to take on the building’s own weight as well as a snow load. Some buildings are designed to accommodate the lateral load of a bridge crane. Therefore, careful consideration needs to be made as to what type of crane is suitable for use with the existing pre-engineered building.

Traditionally, portable units are designed to lift and position within a specific workstation by locking casters into position to prevent crane movement. Vertical lift and lateral positioning are accomplished within the area of the portable gantry crane. Usually, portable gantry cranes are not designed to move the load from workstation to workstation when it is supported by the unit. The width of the top beam dictates the lateral load distance, and the lift height is determined by the underneath hook height of the hoist and trolley to the ground.

Steel Versus Aluminum

A steel gantry crane is utilized when assembled and erected and is generally left assembled in the shop work area. They are less expensive but are heavier than aluminum gantry cranes. Aluminum models can be used more commonly in what is called a break-down application—the crane is assembled and disassembled more often than a steel unit.

Aluminum gantry cranes are used more often in abstract locations than shop locations that are considered controlled environments. Aluminum gantry cranes are often used by heating and air conditioning industries in mobile locations such as on top of commercial building rooftops. Aluminum models are also utilized by the army overseas since they may be transported on an aircraft such as a C-130 and then erected in remote base camps for lifting procedures. Since aluminum is lighter than steel, they are easier to transport, assemble, and disassemble. They also are more corrosion resistant than steel units.

Jib Cranes

Another important piece of material handling equipment is the jib crane, which can frequently be used in factory assembly lines to speed production and increase efficiency. Jib cranes may be freestanding or wall-mounted, and often can rotate 360 degrees for precise positioning. Jibs are even available to lift loads from ground level into truck beds or vehicle cargo areas. Electric models can feature AC or DC power and pendant control for precise positioning of loads.

Whatever your application, there is a gantry crane or jib crane to suit your business’s specific needs.

Beacon Industries, Inc. is a material handling equipment company that has been serving dealers, architects, builders, specifiers, and designers in various industries since 1949. Specialties include loading dock equipment and ergonomic solutions.