Overhead crane (often called traveling crane and overhead crane in the industry), the core of which consists of 1-2 main girders spanning the site, running along the top track through the end girders, matching the hoisting mechanism to realize the lifting and handling of goods without occupying the ground space.

Difference with gantry cranes: bridge type relies on plant column support, no independent legs; gantry type has floor outriggers, track paved ground, more suitable for outdoor scenes.

Overhead cranes are widely used in industrial places, the core is able to safely and efficiently solve the problem of heavy cargo handling, can be adapted to different loads, space and production process requirements.

Classification of overhead cranes

According to the main beam design: the most basic classification, divided into single girder, double girder, the number and structure of the main beam to determine the load, stability and applicable scenes, light load with a single girder, heavy load with a double girder.

According to the support structure: look at the way of rail fixation, divided into top traveling type and bottom hanging type, different requirements on the space and structure of the plant.

According to application function: customized to fit specific scenes, such as explosion-proof type for chemical industry, European type for precision manufacturing, and special type for metallurgy.

According to the working level (A1-A8) and automation level: the working level represents the load and operation frequency, the higher the level, the higher the frequency and heavy load; the automation is divided into manual, semi-automatic and full-automatic, which is adapted to the different intelligent needs.

Comparison Table: Different Types of Overhead Cranes

Single Girder Overhead Crane

The core of single girder overhead travelling crane is a single main girder running through the body, and the hoisting mechanism (hoist) is installed directly under the main girder, which is light in weight and compact in structure, and does not take up too much space in the plant.

The structure is simple, without complicated double girder connection and top running trolley, easy to install and post maintenance, without complicated construction and professional maintenance team.

Typical parameters: load 1-20 tons, span up to about 30 meters, working class A3-A5, suitable for low and medium frequency operations.

Suitable for small and medium-sized workshops, warehouses and light to medium load production lines, such as machinery factories handling tooling and molds, warehouses stacking loading and unloading, electronic factories transferring parts and components and other scenarios.

Core advantages: lower procurement and maintenance costs than double girder cranes; light weight, low load-bearing requirements for the plant, without additional reinforcement; short installation cycle, can be quickly put into use.

Electric Single-Girder Crane

Double Girder Overhead Crane

Double girder overhead travelling crane adopts two parallel main girders, and the hoisting mechanism is mounted on top of the trolley, running along the top of the main girder, and the double girder structure greatly improves the rigidity and stability of the whole machine.

Compared with single girder model, double girder overhead travelling crane has higher lifting height, smoother and less shaking when running with full load, which is suitable for operations requiring lifting precision.

Core parameters: load 10-500+ tons, span over 40 meters, working class A5-A8, can meet the needs of high-frequency, high-intensity heavy-duty continuous operation.

It is mainly suitable for heavy-duty industries, such as steel mills (lifting billets and ladles), heavy machinery factories (handling large parts), power plants (equipment installation and maintenance) and other scenarios with extremely high requirements for load and stability.

Core advantages: strong heavy-duty performance, stable operation, suitable for high-frequency lifting; durable structure, long service life; flexible lifting height and span, can be adapted to the complex operation of large-scale plant.

Double-Girder Bridge Crane Manufactured by Henan Mine

Top Row Type Bridge Crane

The track of top traveling overhead travelling crane is installed on special track beams, which are fixed on the top of plant columns or independent supports, and the end beams run along the track, which makes the force more reasonable.

The core advantage of this design is the strong loading capacity, the top load bearing structure can be adapted to large weight and large span operation, suitable for large plant heavy load demand.

Applicable scenarios: large industrial plants that need to lift heavy goods, such as shipyards, heavy machinery factories, steel mills and other large-load, wide-span scenarios.

Core advantages: First, the load can be up to hundreds of tons to meet the heavy lifting; second, the span of more than 40 meters is still running stable; third, convenient maintenance, parts of the high installation, not easy to be interfered by the ground operation, and ample operating space.

QBE  Overhead Crane

Lower Suspension Type (Suspension Type) Bridge Crane

The track of under-suspended overhead traveler is suspended below the ceiling or top load-bearing beams of the plant, and the end girders and main girders are suspended on the track as a whole.

Its core advantage is high space utilization, no ground support columns, low headroom height requirements, the track can be designed according to the layout of the plant complex path, suitable for irregular work areas.

It is suitable for low headroom workshop, light load operation place and inconvenient to remodel the roof structure of the plant, such as old machinery factory, electronic factory assembly line, small warehouse and other scenes.

Core advantages: space-saving, adaptable to low headroom and complex layout; low cost of plant transformation, can utilize the existing roof load-bearing; flexible installation, the track can be laid on demand.

Offset Electric Single-Girder Crane

 European Type Bridge Crane

European type overhead travelling crane is a commonly used model in precision manufacturing industry, the core is modular design, the main girder, end girder, hoist and other components can be individually combined to meet different operational requirements.

The lifting mechanism and end girder adopt compact design, which makes its weight lighter. With frequency conversion drive system, the running speed can be adjusted accurately and the positioning accuracy is higher.

It is suitable for precision manufacturing and high-efficiency production lines, such as automotive parts, electronic components, medical devices and other workshops with high requirements for lifting precision and efficiency.

Core advantages: light weight, no need to reinforce the plant; frequency conversion drive is more energy efficient; high positioning accuracy, suitable for precision production processes.

New Electric Hoist Double Girder Bridge Crane

Explosion-proof Bridge Crane

Explosion-proof overhead traveling crane is specially designed for flammable and explosive hazardous environments, and the core components are all made explosion-proof, which can prevent the sparks generated by the operation from causing safety accidents.

The motor and electrical system are authorized and certified to meet the safety standards in hazardous areas, and the machine body adopts sealed design, which can block the intrusion of flammable and explosive gases and dusts and ensure the safety of operation.

Suitable for chemical industry, oil and gas, paint shop and other flammable and explosive places, such scenes must use explosion-proof cranes to ensure operational safety.

Core advantages: strong safety performance, suitable for hazardous environments; in line with industry safety standards, to help companies pass compliance inspections and avoid compliance risks.

New Dual-Trolley Electric Hoist Bridge Crane

Specialized overhead cranes by industry

In addition to the above general types, there are also a variety of industry-specific bridge cranes, which are highly targeted, adapted to special operational needs, and are essential equipment for industrial production.

Metallurgical overhead travelling crane is suitable for steel industry, common ladle and charging crane. Ladle cranes are used to transport ladles of steel, which are high temperature and radiation resistant; charging cranes are used to add materials to steel furnaces, which are fast and accurate in positioning.

Grab overhead cranes are equipped with grab devices, specializing in transporting bulk materials such as ore, coal, etc., which can be opened and closed automatically with high efficiency, suitable for mining, wharves, grain warehouses and other scenarios.

Electromagnetic bridge crane with electromagnetic suction cups, adsorption of steel plates, scrap steel and other magnetic materials, without manual binding, efficient and accurate, suitable for steel mills, machinery factories material handling.

Casting bridge crane is suitable for foundry industry, high and low temperature resistance, dustproof, can lift castings, sand boxes and other materials, stable operation, can cope with complex working conditions in the workshop.

Henan Mine’s QC Electromagnetic Bridge Crane

QLC Lower Rotating Electromagnetic Beam Bridge Crane

automation and intelligent bridge crane

Under the background of industrial intelligence, automation and intelligent overhead travelling crane is widely used, which can realize semi-/full-automatic material transfer without manual operation, and improve operation efficiency.

Semi-automatic models are equipped with remote control or semi-automatic control system, operators do not need to operate in close proximity or in the driver’s cab, which is suitable for complex, manually inconvenient operation scenarios.

Fully-automated models do not require manual intervention, and can complete gripping, transferring, placing and other actions through preset programs, and can also be integrated with MES and WMS systems to seamlessly connect to the production process.

Most of the intelligent models are equipped with anti-swaying system, which reduces cargo shaking and improves positioning accuracy. Meanwhile, they support remote monitoring, so that operators can check the operation and load status in real time in the control room and troubleshoot in time.

Suitable for intelligent factories, logistics and warehousing centers and other scenarios, such as automated automotive production lines, e-commerce smart warehouses, which can meet the needs of efficient and highly intelligent transit and reduce labor costs.

YZS Four-Girder Casting Crane

How to choose the right type of bridge crane?

The core of selection is to adapt to their own needs, no need to blindly pursue high-end heavy-duty or just look at the price, combined with the following key factors can be selected to cost-effective models.

Clarify the load capacity and type: reserve 10%-20% of the daily maximum lifting weight to prevent overloading, and match the corresponding pick-up device according to the cargo (bulk, magnetic, precision, etc.).

Confirmation of span and lifting height: the span matches the width of the plant and reserve space for operation, and the lifting height matches the stacking height of the goods and the headroom of the plant to avoid collision.

Combined with the plant structure selection: according to the column load-bearing, headroom height, etc., low headroom priority to choose the lower hanging type / single beam, insufficient load-bearing not to choose the heavy-duty double girder.

Match the working level and operation frequency: choose A5 and above for high-frequency continuous operation, and A3-A4 for low-frequency operation.

Take into account the budget and the full life cycle cost: not only look at the purchase price, but also need to consider the late maintenance, energy consumption, to avoid the pre-cheap late cost is too high.

YDJ Anode Carbon Block Stacking Crane

Twelve: how to choose the supplier of the crane

First, verify the qualifications – this is the key

Verify the match with your actual needs

Verify industry-specific implementation cases

Evaluate after-sales support capabilities

Calculate total cost of ownership, not just quotes

Henan Mine Crane Factory supply, as a professional crane manufacturer, integrates R&D, design, manufacturing, sales and service to provide customers with total solutions and full life cycle services. Please feel free to contact us, we will provide you with free design drawings, and field survey!