This video shows a custom RMG gantry crane for subway construction, designed for lifting and handling slag soil and other heavy materials around the construction site.
The crane runs on fixed rails, providing controlled travelling and accurate positioning for repeated lifting operations.
For subway construction, the crane is normally designed around the actual lifting capacity, span, lifting height, rail layout, working frequency and site clearance.
The crane may look like a standard gantry crane from a distance. Underground construction usually has other ideas.
rail mounted gantry crane for subway contruction
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Crane type | Rail Mounted Gantry Crane (RMG) – Heavy-Duty Subway Construction Model |
| Application | Subway Construction / Slag Soil Handling / Tunneling Material Transport |
| Project location | Various subway construction projects – China / Southeast Asia / Middle East |
| Lifting capacity | 5 – 50 ton (customized according to project requirements; typical subway models: 10T, 16T, 20T, 30T, 50T) |
| Structure | A-Frame Gantry Structure – heavy-duty welded box girder for continuous operation |
| Travelling system | Rail Mounted – steel wheel on fixed crane rail (P38/P43/P50 rail) |
| Wheel configuration | 4 / 8 / 12 wheel configurations with multiple driven wheels |
| Rail gauge | Customized according to site: 6m – 15m (standard subway pit width) |
| Hoist type | Electric Wire Rope Hoist / Winch Trolley – double or single girder |
| Hoist speed | 0.8 – 8 m/min (frequency controlled for precision slag handling) |
| Trolley travel speed | 2 – 20 m/min (VFD controlled) |
| Span | 6 – 20 meters (customized per subway pit width and site layout) |
| Lifting height | 5 – 25 meters (customized according to site clearance and excavation depth) |
| Travelling distance (rail length) | 50 – 500 meters (customized according to rail layout and site) |
| Crane travelling speed | 5 – 30 m/min (customizable with VFD for smooth acceleration) |
| Wheel base (longitudinal) | 3 – 8 meters (designed for stability with heavy loads) |
| Maximum wheel load | ≤ 15 – 25 t per wheel (designed per rail and ground support) |
| Working duty class | A5 – A7 (FEM / ISO) – heavy continuous service for subway projects |
| Control | Cabin Control (standard for subway) / Pendant Control / Radio Remote Control |
| Power supply | 380V/50Hz/3Ph (standard) / 440V/60Hz/3Ph (export) / Cable reel or conductor bar |
| Safety features | Overload limiter, upper/lower limit switches, emergency stop, audible/visual alarms, anti-collision system, wind speed alarm (outdoor sections), trolley limiting device |
| Design standards | GB/T 3811, FEM, IEC, ISO 9001, CE, local safety standards |
| Typical loads | Slag Soil / Excavated Material / Construction Equipment / Steel Beams / Precast Segments / Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) components |
| Yuantai Crane expertise | Project highlights – RMG for subway construction: • China – multiple subway projects: Yuantai has supplied RMG cranes for subway construction in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, and Chengdu – handling slag soil and TBM segments with capacities from 10T to 50T. • Southeast Asia – urban metro project: Exported 20T RMG with 15m span and 18m lifting height for deep excavation pit – equipped with cabin control and cable reel power supply. • Middle East – tunnel construction: Delivered 30T RMG with 8-wheel configuration for heavy slag removal in 24/7 continuous operation. • Special design features: Yuantai RMGs for subway applications include: – Corrosion-resistant painting for underground humidity – IP55/IP65 motor protection for dust and moisture – Anti-sway technology for precise slag bucket positioning – PLC-based monitoring with remote diagnostics – Quick assembly/disassembly for site relocation Global RMG experience: Yuantai has delivered rail-mounted gantry cranes for subway, railway, bridge, port, and industrial applications across China, Southeast Asia, India, Middle East, Africa, Europe, and South America. Customization: Each RMG is engineered based on site survey – excavation depth, pit width, load cycle, power availability, and local safety codes. |
| Feature | RMG | RTG |
|---|---|---|
| Travelling | Fixed rails | Rubber tyres |
| Travel route | Fixed – ideal for straight pit lines | Flexible – can reposition around site |
| Site infrastructure | Requires crane rails installation | No fixed crane rails |
| Repeated lifting route | Very suitable – consistent slag removal path | Suitable – but requires operator guidance |
| Site mobility | Limited by rails – cannot change path without re-laying | Higher – can move between different work areas |
| Typical advantage | Stable, controlled travelling with high precision | Flexible site movement and no rail installation cost |
| Yuantai recommendation | Best for long, straight subway pits with high daily cycle count | Best for short pits or sites requiring crane to move between multiple locations |
| Yuantai project examples | RMG used in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shanghai metro projects for continuous slag handling | RTG used in Singapore Changi Airport tunnel construction for flexible segment lifting |
If the subway construction project has a defined travelling route, RMG is often the more logical solution. If the lifting area changes frequently, a rubber-tyred solution may be more suitable.
Yuantai Crane supplies customized gantry cranes and heavy lifting equipment for industrial and construction applications.
For subway and infrastructure projects, the crane can be designed around the actual load, rail layout, lifting height, span, travelling distance and working cycle.
The goal is not simply to provide a crane with the required tonnage. The crane has to fit the construction site and the way the material is actually moved.
Common questions about RMG gantry cranes for subway construction.
It can be used to lift and transfer excavated soil, slag, construction materials and equipment along a fixed rail route.
An RMG travels on fixed rails, making it suitable for projects with a defined and repeated lifting route. RTG cranes offer more flexible travelling but require a suitable rubber-tyred travelling surface.
Yes. Span, overall height, lifting height, rail gauge, travelling distance and hoist configuration can be customized according to the project layout.
Key questions buyers should check before ordering a subway construction RMG crane.
Provide the capacity, span, lifting height, rail gauge, travelling distance, loaded container weight, working frequency and site clearance . A subway construction drawing is highly useful.
Calculate the total lifted weight, including the soil or slag, bucket or skip, lifting accessories and other required lifting equipment. The crane capacity should cover the actual maximum working load.
Check the capacity, span, lifting height, rail gauge, wheel loads, travelling distance, headroom, hoist duty, working frequency and site conditions . The crane should be designed from the actual construction layout, not from capacity alone.
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