Gantry cranes are often used for applications requiring versatility in daily operations. They’re designed to provide multi-purpose lift and transfer capabilities for heavy loads in a variety of applications. Considering maintenance and repair operations can occur on site or from one location to another, flexibility is a crucial crane factor.
Gantry cranes are (generally) designed with three primary components: two leg structures in a basic A-frame shape and a wide-flange or I-beam span. Unlike standard jib cranes, which consist of a boom and mast with only one support point at the base, gantry cranes carry the weight of the load using both leg structures. The basic A-frame gantry design generally includes wheels on the end of each leg structure, which makes them easily transferable.
This special support structure enables only one or two workers to manually move the crane under load from one point in the facility to another. Because they don’t rely on building structural support to carry the weight of the load nor do they require any permanent installations or secondary foundations, they’re a perfect option for maintenance and repair operations—in and outside of the factory.
While maintenance and repair applications vary from operation to operation, one major factor in deciding which gantry crane best suites your operation is environment. In-factory gantry cranes are easily transported from one work area to another for quick maintenance and repair, which is arguably one of their greatest benefits. Depending on the size of the gantry and the load, one or two workers can simply roll the entire crane to a new location within the shop and lift materials as needed. They are equipped with polyurethane tires for easy indoor movement and can even be track mounted for manual or motorized travel over a fixed route. However, because most maintenance and repair applications require workflow changes, portable or re-locatable gantry cranes are a more practical option.
There are several gantry models for in-shop and outdoor maintenance and repair, depending on the needs of the operation. Here we have included two popular applications and the best gantry solution for each operation:
These gantries are generally engineered for stability, leaving the I-beam free to pivot as it self-centers over the load. The A-frame design helps to eliminate swaying, and the I-beam can be cantilevered to deliver parts through the end of the gantry up to four feet past the end of the beam. This is especially important when reaching into machinery and lifting heavy cables or large engines that are suspended for long periods of time.
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