Alexandra Ramirez
The crane industry is one of the most profitable markets in the world.
Thousands of dollars are spent daily just on the rental costs of these oversized pieces of machinery. This is primarily because cranes are so challenging to move from one location to the next.
This has seen the popularity of portable cranes on the rise — with gantry cranes in the lead.
Typically cranes are not portable and require weeks of effort to erect & deconstruct. Portable gantry cranes are a smaller scale solution to everyday material handling problems. They have played a pivotal role in easing the work of contractors, miners and construction workers.
Let’s take a closer look at these essential pieces of machinery.
What Are They
A gantry crane (not to be confused with a bridge crane) is a type of overhead runway crane system. They operate on one central bar between four legs and move with wheels along horizontal tracks.
Unlike other cranes, gantry cranes don’t need to be fixed or bolted to solid foundations. There is no need for permanent beams or building structures for the cranes to function.
They’re portable and can be set up over almost any construction site. The ease of moving the crane around once it’s assembled is a big perk of these machines. You will likely not have to deconstruct it at any point during a job.
Depending on the size of the crane, it will either move around on four wheels or across tracks that have been laid down. This is all relative to the amount of weight the crane will need to handle per task.
You will typically find these cranes on site during any kind of outdoor construction, such as:
- Steel yards
- Scrap yards
- Cement yards
- Shipping container yards
Usually, gantry cranes are used to lift something heavy while it is in the process of being worked on. However, in certain instances, they can also be used to move objects over short distances. When not holding an object, the cranes can move freely across the premises.
Safety First
As with anything, quality is a gantry crane’s most notable and essential feature.
A well-trusted brand within the industry is where you should look for your portable gantry crane needs. Not only will they be able to recommend the most suitable model for the job you will be doing — but they will provide a safety-approved unit. When using any kind of crane, it is the safety of those in the vicinity that is of most importance.
Request that the supplier provides you with the crane’s information and a checklist of regulations. Compliance with WorkSafe code of conduct is imperative.
Before putting any new or rental cranes to use an inspector should be brought in to inspect the following:
- The general condition of the cranes being assembled
- All lifting gear (chains and attachments) are in working order
- Safe ladders on premises for climbing access
- Records of regular maintenance
- The capability of those who will be operating the cranes
- Whether the crane underwent any notable alterations
Renting portable gantry cranes generally means that the unit will have been inspected and given maintenance after each previous rental. When you’re in the market to purchase a crane for business, know that regular inspection and upkeep needs to be dealt with by you.
Full-size cranes are dangers in themselves. However portable gantry style cranes come with a higher risk of injury purely because of how close in proximity to humans they operate.
Gantry cranes should never be operated by individuals who are not 100% comfortable with the mechanisms of the unit. It is better to employ a professional driver if none of your men are up for the job.
Highlights
When choosing the right crane for the work you need to have done it helps if the unit is as versatile as possible. It should be able to conduct a variety of different tasks at different weights and eliminate the need for the purchase of more than one crane.
There are a few features to look for that make up a versatile gantry crane:
- It should be able to convey weights of up to around 22 tons
- It should have breadth enough to fit structures of 12’ by 12’ within it
- It should preferably run on rubber wheels
Pivotal
Above everything portable gantry cranes have changed the speed at which material handling is able to operate.
The time frames of some construction jobs have been cut in half since the introduction of these machines into the market.
Jobs that were previously considered too small for full-size cranes but too big for human lifting now have tools to overcome these limits. A portable gantry crane takes any worksite to the next level in what can be accomplished.
Conclusion
A decently sized gantry crane with portable abilities is an asset to any site handling materials.
Should a piece of machinery like this be of interest to you, contact the industry professionals and let them lead the way. Your personal lifting needs will be the main deciding factor in finding the gantry crane that is right for you.
What are you waiting for?
3… 2… 1… lift!
