Economical Overhead Gantry Crane Solutions
Single Girder Gantry Cranes for Sale 3 Ton, 5 Ton, 10 Ton, 15 Ton to 20 Ton

Traditional Design Single Girder Gantry Crane

Overview: Classic, cost-effective lifting solution—widely used across China's industrial sector. Mass-produced in Henan's "Crane Valley" (Xinxiang, Changyuan) with 15-30 day lead time and proven reliability for standard applications.

Key Features & Engineering Data:

• Design: Simple I-beam or built-up plate girder, Q235B steel (235 MPa yield). Deflection ≤ L/600 per GB/T 14405-2011. Girder weight 30-40% heavier than European designs—but uses locally abundant, low-cost materials.
• Capacity: 1-10T standard (custom to 20T). Most common: 5T and 10T for general workshops. 10T/15m span typical configuration.
• Configuration: Top-running (preferred, 70% of installations) or underhung (low-ceiling facilities, 4-6m height). Wheel loads: 35-60 kN for 10T; rail: P24 or P38.
• Safety: GB-compliant limit switches, mechanical overload protection (±5% accuracy), emergency stop. Basic relay logic—simple, robust, easy for local technicians to maintain.
• Performance: Fixed-speed control (2-speed optional). Lifting speed: 4-8 m/min; travel: 10-20 m/min. Positioning accuracy: ±5-10mm—sufficient for general material handling.

Applications & Field Results:

• Construction: Precast concrete yards, steel structure fabrication. A 10T unit at a Zhengzhou construction site handled 800+ lifts/month with 95% uptime over 3 years—annual maintenance: ¥4K-6K.
• Maintenance: Workshop maintenance, die change, equipment installation. Simple relay logic means any local electrician can troubleshoot—typical repair: 2-4 hours.
• Small-Medium Warehousing: 5T underhung units common in 6m-clear-height warehouses—cycle time: 2-3 minutes per lift. Cost-effective for facilities with <5 lifts/hour duty.

China Engineering Insight: With 500+ traditional units installed across inland provinces, these cranes dominate where initial budget and fast delivery outweigh precision. Typical service life: 10-15 years with basic maintenance. Best fit: ≤5 lifts/hour, ≤10T loads, and access to local repair services—Henan's dense supplier network ensures any spare part arrives within 48 hours.

Comparison: European Style vs. Traditional Design (China Market Context)

• Load Capacity: Both handle 3-20T standard. European designs offer 15-20% higher hook height due to compact hoist profile—critical for China's warehouses with 6-9m clear heights where every 100mm matters.
• Design & Materials:
  European (Chinese-built): Q355B steel (345 MPa yield) with box girder—deflection ≤ L/1000. 20-30% lighter than traditional, reducing runway beam costs by 15-20%.
  Traditional (Chinese standard): Q235B steel (235 MPa), built-up plate girders—deflection ≤ L/600. Heavier construction, but uses domestically abundant materials with lower cost.
• Cost & ROI (Chinese Market):
  European: 30-50% higher upfront vs. traditional domestic models. Premium justified by 20-25% energy savings (frequency control) and 40% longer maintenance intervals—payback typically 2-4 years for 2-shift operations.
  Traditional: 1.0x baseline—most Chinese manufacturers offer highly competitive pricing (e.g., 10T/20m crane: ¥150K-250K vs. European-style ¥280K-400K).
• Compliance & Standards:
  European: Meets GB/T 14405-2011 + FEM/EN standards—preferred for export-oriented factories and multinational facilities in China.
  Traditional: GB/T 14405-2011 compliant. May lack CE/ASME certification—suitable for domestic operations without international compliance requirements.
• Maintenance & Operator Training:
  European: Requires trained technicians for VFD and PLC diagnostics. Service networks concentrated in Tier 1 cities (Shanghai, Guangzhou, Beijing). Annual maintenance cost: ¥8K-15K for 10T unit.
  Traditional: Simple relay logic—any local electrician can troubleshoot. Dense service network across industrial zones. Annual maintenance cost: ¥3K-6K.

China Market Insight: With over 200 European-style units installed across China's manufacturing belt (Yangtze Delta, Pearl Delta, Bohai Rim), we've observed 2-4 year ROI through energy savings and reduced downtime. For 2-shift operations, European designs pay back within 3 years. Traditional models remain dominant in inland provinces where initial cost and 15-30 day lead time outweigh long-term efficiency gains. Leading Chinese manufacturers now offer "hybrid" solutions—European engineering at local prices (¥220K-320K)—bridging the gap for mid-tier buyers.

Overview: Traditional I-shaped cross-section with vertical web and horizontal flanges. China's most common crane girder—mass-produced across Henan's manufacturing cluster with 15-30 day lead times and decades of proven reliability.

Key Features & Engineering Data:

• Shape: Standard I-beam or welded plate (Q235B steel, 235 MPa yield). Height-to-span ratio: 1:10 to 1:14.
• Strength: Good vertical bending resistance but limited torsion. Deflection ≤ L/600 per GB/T 14405-2011.
• Flexibility: Easy to modify—local workshops can repair without specialized equipment.

Advantages:

• Cost-Effective: 40-60% cheaper. 10T/20m: ¥150K-220K. Simple fabrication—no internal stiffeners.
• Simplicity: Off-the-shelf availability. Installation: 3-5 days (vs. 7-10 for box).
• Lightweight: 15-25% lighter—reduces foundation and runway beam costs. Wheel load: 35-50kN (10T).

Disadvantages:

• Capacity Limits: Practical max ≤20T; spans >20m require heavier sections—cost advantage diminishes.
• Deflection: Accuracy limited to ±5-10mm—unsuitable for precision positioning.
• Durability: Open profile exposed to corrosion—maintenance every 3-5 years (vs. 7-10 for box).

Applications in China:

• Small workshops, warehouses, light fabrication. A 5T unit in Zhejiang handles 15-20 lifts/day with 92% uptime over 8 years—maintenance: ¥3K-5K/year.
• Dominates inland provinces where initial cost and 15-day lead time outweigh long-term efficiency.

China Engineering Insight: Across 200+ installations nationwide, our data shows box girder ROI within 3-5 years for 2-shift precision operations—energy savings (VFD integration) and reduced downtime offset higher upfront cost. I-beam remains optimal for intermittent use (≤5 lifts/hour), capacities ≤10T, and projects with strict budget caps. The growing "hybrid" segment—European-style box design with localized manufacturing—now offers a mid-tier solution at ¥220K-320K, capturing 15% of the market annually.

Truss in Action: A construction crew in Guangdong bought a truss crane for a 14-month bridge project. When the job finished, they disassembled it, shipped it 800km, and had it running at a new site in 5 days. Try that with a box crane.

Box in Action: A steel service center in Hebei installed a box crane 6 years ago. It lifts 20+ tons daily, runs 16 hours a day, and has never missed a shift. Their maintenance team checks it quarterly—that's about it.

Quick Comparison – What Matters to You

Ask yourself these 4 questions—your answers will tell you:

• How heavy is your heaviest daily lift? Under 10 tons? Truss can handle it. Over 10 tons? Go box.
• Will this crane stay put or move around? Moving between job sites? Truss. Permanent installation? Box.
• Is your site windy (coastal, elevated, open)?Yes? Truss handles wind better. Enclosed building? Box is fine.
• What's your budget and timeline?Tight budget and need it fast? Truss. Can invest more and wait? Box pays off long-term.

Common Mistakes to Avoid (Learn from Others)

• "We bought a box crane for occasional 3-ton lifts." You paid twice what you needed to. A truss would have done the same job for half the cost.
• "We bought a truss for heavy 24/7 operation." You will replace it in 6 years instead of 15. The box would have been cheaper in the long run.
• The golden rule: Match the crane to your real daily work—not the brochure, not the sales pitch, and not "just in case."

Yes – the "Best of Both" hybrid design.

Some Chinese manufacturers now offer a hybrid design: truss legs (light, wind-friendly) with a box girder top (strong, precise). Price lands in the middle (¥180K-280K).

It's becoming popular for yards that need outdoor mobility but also lift heavier loads occasionally. Worth asking about if you are on the fence.

Full Gantry – Steel Mill Application: A 40-ton full gantry crane system with 70m lifting height was supplied to a steel mill in Southeast Asia. The hoists were manufactured to ISO standards and passed stringent quality checks before delivery.

Semi-Gantry – Precast Concrete Yard: Single-leg gantry cranes are widely used in precast concrete operations for moving beams, panels, and mold sets. These cranes can be rail-mounted or rubber-tyred for yard mobility.

Quick Comparison – What Matters to You

Choose Full Gantry :

• You have open floor space on both sides
• You need full-width coverage of your work area
• Capacity exceeds 20 tons
• Outdoor use with wind exposure

Choose Semi-Gantry:

• One side of workspace is blocked by equipment or storage
• You have an existing wall or column for support
• Floor space is limited
• Budget is a primary constraint

Yuantai Advice: When designing a crane solution, thoroughly understand your specific working conditions—including operational environment, lifting requirements, and space constraints. This understanding forms the foundation for a targeted and effective design.

Company Background: Yuantai Crane has over 30 years of experience in overhead crane design, manufacturing, and installation. Our equipment has been installed in more than 150 countries worldwide.

Product Range:

• Single girder gantry cranes: 1-32 tons with box or truss girder, full or semi-gantry configurations
• L-leg single girder gantry cranes: 5-32 tons for long objects like steel pipes and concrete blocks
• Rubber-tyred and rail-mounted gantries for precast yards and ports
• Heavy-duty models: Up to 40 tons on gantry configurations

Recent Projects:

• Southeast Asia steel mill: 40-ton electric wire rope hoists with 70m lifting height
• Africa automotive workshop: 10-ton HD single-girder crane with 15m span, Q345B steel construction, FEA-validated deflection below L/800
• Middle East repair shop: LD single-girder crane plus LX underhung crane system

Mistake 1: Choosing a full gantry for a cramped workshop.
The full gantry requires rails on both sides—if one side is blocked, the installation becomes difficult and costly. A semi-gantry with L-leg design would work better in confined spaces.

Mistake 2: Not checking building structure for semi-gantry support.
The wall or columns must be designed to handle crane loads. Without proper assessment, reinforcement work can add weeks and significant extra cost. Always have a structural engineer evaluate the support structure before ordering.

Mistake 3: Ordering without complete specifications.
To get an accurate recommendation, provide: crane type, lifting capacity (tonnage), span, lifting height, power supply, and working environment details. Missing information leads to delays and mismatched equipment.

Yuantai's Approach: The solution often undergoes multiple revisions to ensure every detail aligns precisely with the customer's usage needs and performance expectations. By focusing on delivering well-engineered, practical, and customized crane systems, we meet functional requirements while creating real value for our clients.

Selection Summary:

Need help deciding? Contact Yuantai Crane with your floor plan, site photos, and lifting requirements. We provide expert recommendations based on 30+ years of global experience and real-world installation data.

Overview: Girder extends beyond legs on both sides—hoist reaches outside track on both ends.

Pros: Maximum working area (20-40% more reach), handles oversized loads, picks/places outside gantry boundaries.

Cons: 15-25% heavier, complex bracing, higher cost ¥220K-380K (10T).

Best for: Shipping yards, construction sites, warehouses with loading docks on both sides, long materials (beams, pipes).

Yuantai Tip: The double girder canttilever gantrys cranes are typical used for outdoor yards. Best when loads exceed your span length—if moving 12m beams in a 20m yard, double cantilever gives you the reach without repositioning.

Overview: Girder extends beyond legs on one side only—asymmetrical design balancing flexibility and simplicity.

Pros: 10-20% extra coverage where needed, lighter than double, cost ¥160K-280K (10T).

Cons: One-side only, unbalanced loads may require counterweights.

Best for: Warehouses with storage on one side, workshops with wall/equipment on one side, asymmetrical floor layouts.

Yuantai Experience: Most popular choice for Chinese factories with one-sided loading docks—150+ units installed with cantilevered side facing truck loading area.

Overview: Girder ends exactly at legs—no overhang. Hoist operates only within the track footprint.

Pros: Most stable, lowest cost ¥120K-200K (10T), simplest design, 15-20% smaller footprint.

Cons: No outside reach—hoist confined between legs.

Best for: Indoor factories, precision workshops, confined spaces, small-medium warehouses.

Yuantai Experience: Default choice for 80% of indoor workshop installations—compact design fits standard factory bays with lower foundation costs.

3 Questions to Ask:

• Where do you need to reach? Both sides→Double. One side→Single. Between legs→No.
• How long are your loads? Exceed span→Double. Within span→No works fine.
• Budget and space? Tight→No. Flexible but budget→Single. Max reach→Double.

Common Mistake: Buying double cantilever for a small workshop—paying 50% more for unused reach. Match to actual needs, not "what if."

Yuantai Advice: Many buyers focus on capacity and forget reach. A 10-ton no-cantilever crane cannot reach a truck parked 2m outside the track—plan your full material flow.

Engineering: Each cantilever design undergoes FEA analysis to verify deflection and stress—ensuring stability at maximum reach.

Recent Projects:

• Double: 20-ton port gantry in Southeast Asia handling containers and long pipes—loading directly from trucks alongside track.
• Single: 10-ton Guangdong factory crane—cantilevered side over loading dock, non-cantilevered side over production area.
• No: 100+ units for precision manufacturing where stability and accuracy are top priorities.

Capability: All three configurations available 1-32 tons, spans up to 35m—customized with radio remote, VFD, and anti-sway systems.

Need help? Send floor plan, site photos, and material flow—we will recommend the optimal configuration.

Overview: Legs shaped like an "A" with a stable base—simple structure, compact footprint.

Pros: Stable and balanced support. Cost-effective (¥100K-180K for 10T). Space-saving—fits tight workshops. Simple installation and maintenance.

Cons: Limited to 20 tons. Fixed height/width—minimal adjustability.

Best for: Small-to-medium workshops, warehouses, light manufacturing—moderate loads (5-15 tons typical), limited floor space.

Yuantai Tip: A-Frame is our most popular for small-batch production facilities. Over 400 units installed in Chinese factories where space is tight and loads stay under 15 tons.

Overview: Legs shaped like an "L" with reinforced bracing—engineered for heavy loads and demanding conditions.

Pros: Handles up to 32 tons. Enhanced stability—robust support for heavy lifts. Adjustable height/width options for flexibility. Long-term durability with high-strength materials.

Cons: Higher cost (¥200K-350K for 16T). Larger footprint—requires more floor space.

Best for: Heavy manufacturing plants, steel service centers, large warehouses, construction sites—continuous heavy lifting (20+ tons), 24/7 operation.

Yuantai Experience: L-Frame cranes are our standard solution for steel mills and heavy fabrication. One unit in a Hebei steel service center runs 18 hours daily, lifting 20-25 tons—98% uptime over 4 years.

3 Questions to Ask:

• How heavy is your daily lift? Under 20 tons and occasional use → A-Frame. Over 20 tons or continuous heavy lifting → L-Frame.
• How much floor space do you have? Tight workshop → A-Frame's compact footprint fits better. Large facility → L-Frame handles more capacity.
• What is your budget? Cost-sensitive with moderate loads → A-Frame. Can invest more for heavy-duty long-term → L-Frame.

Common Mistake: Choosing L-Frame for a 10-ton workshop that runs 2 shifts daily—you paid 60% more for unused capacity. Match the frame to your actual lifting demand, not future "what ifs."

Engineering Approach: Both frames undergo FEA structural analysis—verifying stress distribution, deflection (≤L/800 for A-Frame, ≤L/1000 for L-Frame), and overall stability. Every design meets GB/T 14405-2011 with optional FEM certification.

Recent Installations:

• A-Frame – Automotive Parts Plant: 10-ton A-Frame crane installed in a Guangdong factory—handles 8-12 ton die changes daily, 2 shifts, 5 years of reliable operation.
• L-Frame – Steel Service Center: 25-ton L-Frame crane in Hebei—lifts steel coils 18 hours/day, 6 days/week—98% uptime over 4 years.
• Export Project – Africa: 16-ton L-Frame gantry delivered to an automotive workshop with 15m span—custom designed with Q345B steel and anti-corrosion coating for tropical climate.

Capability: Yuantai offers both A-Frame and L-Frame from 1 to 32 tons, spans up to 35m, with options for rail-mounted or rubber-tyred mobility, VFD control, and radio remote.

Yuantai Advice: Capacity is the main decider—over 20 tons means L-Frame. Under 15 tons with moderate use means A-Frame. Between 15-20 tons? Consider your frequency and space—A-Frame works for occasional use, L-Frame for continuous heavy cycles.

Need help? Send your daily lift weight, shift schedule, and floor plan—we will recommend the right leg frame design.

The Upside: Floor stays clear—no legs or floor rails in the way. You get about 300-500mm more hook height compared to top-running, which matters when you're stacking high or working with tall equipment. Works great in older buildings with strong overhead steelwork.

The Downside: Your building has to be strong enough to hold the crane—roof steel or overhead beams need to take the load. Installation takes longer, and you'll need precision alignment. Costs run ¥150K-250K for a typical 10-ton setup.

Yuantai Experience: We did an underhung installation in a Shanghai warehouse with 6.5m ceiling height. The client got an extra 400mm of hook height compared to their old top-running—made all the difference for stacking pallets five high.

The Upside: Solid and simple. The crane sits on top of rails mounted on columns or support legs. Installation is faster—no special overhead structure needed, just run the columns and bolt everything in place. Maintenance is easier too since everything is at eye level or reachable. Costs around ¥120K-200K for a 10-ton unit.

The Downside: Those columns or support legs take up floor space—could block traffic flow or storage. Hook height is also lower by a few hundred millimeters because the rail system sits above the crane.

Yuantai Experience: Top-running is the go-to for new facilities. We recently installed a 16-ton top-running semi gantry in a Ningbo factory—they had open floor space and wanted something reliable and easy to maintain. Installed in 18 days, no building modifications needed.

Three things to check:

• What's above you? If you have strong overhead steel (roof trusses, overhead crane beams), underhung is worth considering. If you have only walls and floor, top-running is your only practical option.
• How much floor space can you spare? If every square meter counts—production lines, storage racks, forklift paths—underhung saves you room. If you've got open space, top-running works fine.
• What's your timeline? Need it running fast? Top-running installs faster—no overhead structural mods, no working at height. Underhung takes longer because you're working with roof steel and precise alignment.

Real mistake we see: A factory bought underhung because they wanted the floor space, but their roof structure wasn't strong enough. They spent an extra ¥40K reinforcing the steelwork before installation could even start. Check your building first.

Underhung Projects: We've done underhung semi gantries for food processing plants and cold storage warehouses where floor space is tight and they need maximum hook height for stacking. One cold storage client got an extra 500mm of lift—meant two more pallet levels per stack.

Top-Running Projects: Top-running is our bread and butter. We've installed hundreds in automotive factories, steel warehouses, and general manufacturing. A recent project in Guangdong: 10-ton top-running semi gantry, 20m span, installed in 16 days, running 3 shifts, no issues after 2 years.

Our Take: Both designs are reliable if built right. We use Q355B steel for critical components, run FEA analysis on every design, and pressure-test every weld. The mounting style doesn't change the quality—it just changes how the crane fits your building.

Final word from us: If your building has the overhead structure, underhung gives you more usable space and height. If you're building new or don't have overhead steel, top-running is simpler, cheaper, and faster. Send us your building photos and floor plan—we'll tell you which one fits without the sales fluff.

Structure: Single beam (I-beam or box), L or A-frame legs, casters or steel rollers. Q235B steel. Deflection: L/400 to L/600. Safety factor: 3:1. Manual chain hoist or small electric hoist.

Travelling: Rollers 150-250mm diameter. Pushing force: 20-30kg on smooth concrete. Polyurethane optional—reduces floor wear.

Fits: Temporary sites, maintenance bays, multi-station workshops, low-ceiling buildings. No rails, no foundation.

Yuantai experience: 500+ units delivered. 5-ton, 12m span, 6m height is most common. Lead time: 10-15 days. Cost: ¥35K-75K.

Structure: Box section girder with stiffeners, A or L-frame legs, flanged wheels on fixed rails. Q355B steel. Deflection: L/800 to L/1000. Safety factor: 5:1. Electric hoist (2-8 m/min), electric travel (10-30 m/min).

Rail & foundation: P38 for 10T, P43 for 16T, P50 for 20T. Wheel loads: 50-80 kN. Ground bearing: 80-100 kPa minimum. Installation: 3-6 weeks.

Fits: Permanent production lines, steel service centers, precast yards, large warehouses. Fixed path—organize material flow around the crane.

Yuantai experience: 800+ units installed. Most common: 16-ton, 20m span, 8m height. Lead time: 35-50 days. Cost: ¥140K-250K installed.

Four questions:

• Daily cycle count? Under 10 → roller. Over 20 → rail. At 15, run the labor math.
• Project duration? Under 2 years → roller. Permanent → rail.
• Future load growth? At 5T today, 10T in 2 years → skip roller, go rail now.
• Floor condition? Smooth concrete → roller works. Uneven/outdoor → rail only.

Cost reality: Rail unit handles double the capacity, lasts twice as long, costs half per ton moved. If you have volume, rail wins. If you need flexibility, roller wins. Don't confuse the two.

Common mistake: Buying roller for a permanent facility—saving ¥30K upfront, losing ¥150K in labor and downtime over 5 years. Or buying rail for a job shop—wasting capital on infrastructure you don't need.

Roller units: 500+ shipped globally. Standard: 5-ton, 12m span, 6m height, chain hoist, polyurethane rollers. FEA-validated. Lead time: 10-15 days.

Rail units: 800+ installed. Standard: 16-ton, 20m span, 8m height, VFD travel, radio remote, P43 rail. GB/T 14405-2011 or FEM certified. Lead time: 35-50 days.

Our observation: Roller-travelling is the right tool for job shops and multi-station facilities. Rail-travelling is the backbone of production lines. The wrong choice costs more than the right choice—every time.

Need to decide? Send us your daily lift log, floor plan, and project timeline. We'll spec the right single girder configuration based on 30 years of real installation data—no guesswork.

Outdoor is a different animal. Wind, rain, sun, uneven ground—everything tries to kill your crane. We build them tougher.

Box girder with internal stiffeners. IP55 motors. Sealed electricals. Coating is 200-300 microns of epoxy and polyurethane—or hot-dip galvanized if you're near the coast. We design for wind per GB 50009-2012. It'll work in Force 6 winds no problem. In a storm, you tie it down or use the wind brakes.

We've installed over 250 of these. The one we do most: 16-ton, 20m span, 8m hook height. Single or double cantilever depending on your yard layout. Cost: ¥160K-280K. Lead time: 45-55 days.

Headroom: Under 6m? Go low-headroom no-cantilever. Over 8m? Standard indoor works fine. Outdoor? Height isn't your problem.

Reach: Confined indoor space? No cantilever. One-sided loading dock? Single cantilever. Outdoor yard with storage on both sides? Double cantilever.

Corrosion: Indoor but humid or chemical? We'll spec extra coating. Outdoor? Anti-corrosion is mandatory. Coastal? Go galvanized—rust will eat anything else.

Floor condition: Smooth concrete indoor? Rollers or rails. Outdoor uneven ground? Rails only—rollers won't track straight and the wheels will wear out fast.

Three mistakes we see all the time:

• Putting a standard indoor crane in a 5.2m building. You lose 700mm of hook height. Can't reach the top shelf. Customer calls us angry—but we didn't spec it.
• Specifying outdoor coating for an indoor crane. Wasted ¥30K. Warehouse is dry. Shop primer would have lasted 20 years.
• Using an indoor crane outdoors. Saves ¥50K upfront. 18 months later, corrosion kills the travel motor bearings. ¥35K repair. They learn the hard way.

Indoor: We measure your building first—we don't guess. Then we design the crane to fit. We use Q355B steel so we can make the girder shallower. Our compact hoist has the motor beside the drum instead of above it—that's how we save height. We've squeezed 3.2m of hook height into a 4.5m building before. It wasn't easy, but we did it.

Outdoor: We look at your wind load and your ground first. Then we spec the girder, the rail, and the coating. Box girder with stiffeners—stiffer and lighter than an I-beam. We add 30% margin to the wheel load calculation because ground is never perfectly level. Coating depends on where you are—standard epoxy for inland, galvanized for coastal. It's not one-size-fits-all.

What we won't do: We won't sell you a crane that doesn't fit your site. We've turned down orders because the building was too low or the ground was too soft. Saves us warranty headaches and saves you money in the long run.

Quality check: Every crane gets FEA-validated before we cut steel. Critical welds are UT-tested. We load-test every hoist to 125% of rated capacity before it leaves our ISO 9001 shop in Henan. We've shipped to 50+ countries and have over 3,000 customers. That's not a brag—it's just what happens when you build cranes that actually work.

This is our most popular size. 5 tons is the Goldilocks zone—not too light, not too heavy. It handles 80% of what most factories actually lift.

Who buys it: Warehouses, fabrication shops, construction sites. Moves steel, machinery, components. If you're lifting moderate loads regularly, this is the one.

What it costs: ¥65K-110K. Most common spec: 5-ton, 12m span, 6m height. Lead time: 20-25 days.

Yuantai note: We install more 5-ton units than any other size. It's versatile enough for most jobs, affordable enough to fit most budgets. One precast yard uses a 5-ton for moving mold sets daily—8 years, still going. Just keep up with the wire rope inspections and it'll last.

This is where single girder starts pushing its limits. 10 tons is the practical upper end for most single girder designs without going double girder.

Who buys it: Manufacturing plants, industrial operations, construction sites handling substantial materials and equipment. If your daily lift is in the 8-10 ton range, this is your crane.

What it costs: ¥120K-180K. Typical spec: 10-ton, 16m span, 7m height. Lead time: 30-35 days.

Yuantai note: At 10 tons, we start getting serious about the girder design. Box section, stiffened, Q355B steel. Deflection under L/800. We've installed these in steel service centers and heavy fabrication shops. One customer in Jiangsu runs a 10-ton unit 10 hours a day, 6 days a week—we've only replaced the wire rope once in 5 years.

15 tons is the practical maximum for a single girder design without going to double girder. You're right at the edge of what the single beam can handle efficiently.

Who buys it: Heavy manufacturing, large warehouses, construction sites that lift oversized equipment. If you're consistently lifting 12-14 tons, this is your minimum.

What it costs: ¥160K-220K. Typical spec: 15-ton, 18m span, 8m height. Lead time: 35-45 days.

Yuantai note: We don't recommend 15-ton single girder for continuous heavy use. If you're running 3 shifts and lifting near capacity every day, honestly you should be looking at double girder. But if it's intermittent—5-10 lifts per day—single girder works. We've done 15-ton units for precast yards and heavy equipment repair shops. They hold up fine if you don't abuse them. Just don't push it to 16 tons—that's where you start breaking things.

Here's the thing—most buyers overspec or underspec. Both cost you money. Here's what we've learned from 20+ years of installations:

Four things we check before quoting:

• What's your heaviest daily lift? Not your heaviest ever—your heaviest regular lift. If you lift 8 tons once a month and 4 tons daily, spec for 5 tons. Don't pay for capacity you use once a year.
• How often? Under 10 lifts per day? Single girder works. Over 20 lifts per day? Double girder starts making sense.
• Any shock loads? Dropping loads, swinging, sudden stops? Add 20-25% to your static weight. A 10-ton static load becomes 12.5 tons dynamic. We've seen people ignore this and wonder why the girder cracks.
• What's your 3-year plan? Growing to 15 tons in 2 years? Buy the 15-ton now. Upgrading later costs 20-30% more than doing it right the first time.

The mistake we see most: Workshop buys a 10-ton crane because "we might need it someday." They lift 3 tons daily. They paid 60% more than they needed to. Another shop buys a 5-ton crane, grows to 8-ton lifts in 2 years, and has to buy a second crane. Wasted money both ways.

Our rule of thumb: Spec for your 80th percentile load—the heaviest thing you lift regularly, not the heaviest thing you've ever lifted. Add 25% for growth and dynamics. That's your number.

Still not sure? Send us your daily lift log—not your guess, your actual numbers. We'll run the numbers and tell you exactly which capacity makes sense. No upsell, no fluff. Just straight advice from engineers who've built thousands of these. Contact Bella Liang, Yuantai Cranes. WhatsApp: +86 151 3871 1597.

Monorail gantries are a specific flavor of single girder—designed for assembly line work where precision matters more than brute force.

What they're good at:

• Streamlined assembly: The hoist runs on a single rail with precise positioning. If you're putting together engines, gearboxes, or anything that needs exact alignment, this matters.
• Cutting handling time: Parts move directly to workstations without detours. Faster cycles, better throughput.
• Safety: We can add collision avoidance, overload protection, and ergonomic controls. Less operator fatigue, fewer accidents.

Yuantai install: We put a monorail gantry in an automotive parts plant last year. They were moving engine blocks between machining stations—8-hour shifts, 5 days a week. The crane cut their handling time by 30% and the operators stopped complaining about back strain. Simple upgrade, big impact.

Semi-gantry cranes are the space-savers. One leg on the floor, the other mounted to a wall or column. They don't need floor space on both sides—just one side.

Why people choose them:

• Space optimization: Straddles the workspace with one side underhung and the other on top of runway beams. Makes the most of limited headroom.
• Versatile in tight spots: Works in irregularly shaped areas where a full gantry wouldn't fit. Think narrow aisles, cramped workshops, or spaces blocked by existing equipment.
• Quick install: Fewer rails to lay, less foundation work. We've had semi-gantries up and running in a week.

Yuantai install: A precast yard in Hebei had a 6m clearance on one side because of an overhead conveyor. Couldn't put a full gantry there. We installed a semi-gantry with the wall side mounted on the building column. Four years later, still running 10 hours a day, no issues.

Let's be honest—most SMEs don't have the budget for a 50-ton double girder crane. That's where single girder gantries come in.

Why SMEs choose them:

• Affordable investment: A 5-ton single girder gantry runs about ¥65K-110K. Compare that to a double girder overhead crane—you're looking at 2-3x the cost.
• Versatile: One crane handles loading, unloading, moving between stations, outdoor work. You don't need multiple machines.
• Lower operating costs: Lighter structure = less energy to move. Fewer components = lower maintenance. We see annual maintenance costs under ¥5K for most single girder gantries.

Yuantai experience: We've supplied single girder gantries to hundreds of SMEs across China. One fabrication shop in Guangdong started with a 5-ton unit 8 years ago—they're still using it today while running 3 shifts. Paid for itself in the first 18 months.

The automotive industry runs on precision and speed. Single girder gantries fit that world better than you'd think.

What they do:

• Precise component handling: Engines, transmissions, chassis parts—all need to be positioned accurately. Single girder gantries with VFD controls give you millimeter precision.
• Efficient movement: Parts move from storage to assembly line to testing without delays. We've seen production cycles cut by 25% just by adding a gantry crane.
• Worker safety: Overload protection, collision avoidance, emergency stops—we build all of that in. Less strain on workers, fewer workplace injuries.

Yuantai install: We installed a 10-ton single girder gantry in a tier-1 automotive supplier's plant in Zhejiang. They use it to move die sets between presses. 5 years, 6 days a week, 16 hours a day. Still within deflection spec.

Warehouses are about one thing: moving stuff from point A to point B as fast as possible. Single girder gantries help do exactly that.

Key benefits:

• Pallet handling: Load pallets onto trucks, move them to storage racks, pull them for orders. Smooth and fast.
• Space optimization: Compact footprint means you can use more of your warehouse for storage, not aisles for cranes.
• Inventory accuracy: Precise handling reduces product damage. Less damage = better inventory counts = fewer write-offs.

Yuantai experience: We've installed single girder gantries in food warehouses, cold storage, and general logistics centers. One cold storage facility in Shanghai—5-ton gantry, 12m span, operates at -18°C. We used low-temp grease on all bearings and IP65 motors. 3 years, zero cold-related failures.

Construction sites are tough on equipment. Dust, mud, weather, rough handling—stuff breaks. Single girder gantries hold up better than most because they're simple.

What they handle:

• Heavy loads: Steel beams, concrete blocks, construction machinery. We've supplied 15-ton and 20-ton units to bridge construction projects.
• On-site mobility: Portable gantries get moved between job sites. Rail-mounted units get repositioned as the project progresses. Flexibility matters on a construction site.
• Time and cost savings: Faster lifting = faster construction. We've had contractors tell us a gantry crane cut their material handling time by half.

Yuantai install: A 16-ton single girder gantry on a bridge project in Guangdong—moved rebar and precast segments for 18 months. After the bridge was done, they disassembled it, shipped it 500km, and rebuilt it for the next job. That's what single girder gantries are built for.