Gantry Crane vs Overhead Crane – Key Differences and How to Choose
If you’re planning a material handling solution for your facility or project, you’ve likely come across two of the most common crane types: the gantry crane and the overhead (bridge) crane. Both serve similar purposes — lifting and transporting heavy loads — but they differ significantly in structure, installation, and application.
In this article, we’ll break down the differences between gantry cranes and overhead cranes, explain their advantages, and help you determine which is better suited for your needs.
Nybon Machinery Group is a professional manufacturer of gantry cranes, bridge cranes, jib cranes, and electric hoists, with extensive experience in steel plants, shipyards, warehouses, and construction sites.
What Is a Gantry Crane?
A gantry crane is a type of crane where the bridge is supported by two legs that move on rails or rubber tires. It forms an A-frame structure and does not require a building structure for support.
✅ Key Features of Gantry Cranes:
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Suitable for outdoor or temporary setups
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Available in rail-mounted or rubber-tired models
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Ideal for yards, ports, and construction sites
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Can be full gantry, semi-gantry, or portable type
What Is an Overhead (Bridge) Crane?
An overhead crane, also called a bridge crane, consists of a beam (bridge) that runs on runway rails attached to building columns or ceiling girders. It’s installed indoors or under-roof and typically used in fixed facilities.
✅ Key Features of Overhead Cranes:
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Installed in factories, workshops, or warehouses
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Requires building support (runway beams or ceiling structure)
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Precise movement, suitable for high-volume operations
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Offers efficient space utilization
Gantry Crane vs Overhead Crane – Comparison Table
| Feature | Gantry Crane | Overhead Crane |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | Freestanding, rails or tires | Requires building runway structure |
| Environment | Indoor or outdoor | Mostly indoor |
| Mobility | Can be mobile (RTG, rail) | Fixed in one facility |
| Cost | Lower setup cost (no building mods) | Higher initial structure cost |
| Load Capacity | 5 to 500+ tons (customizable) | 1 to 300+ tons (customizable) |
| Common Use | Ports, yards, shipbuilding, precast | Factories, steel plants, workshops |
| Span Flexibility | Adjustable and customizable | Fixed once installed |
When to Choose a Gantry Crane
Choose a gantry crane if:
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Your facility lacks supporting structures for an overhead system
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You need a crane outdoors or in open yards
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The crane needs to move between work areas (RTG or semi-gantry)
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You want lower installation costs and flexible deployment
Common applications:
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Precast concrete yards
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Shipbuilding blocks assembly
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Wind turbine blade handling
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Rail yards and logistics terminals
When to Choose an Overhead Crane
Choose an overhead crane if:
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Your facility has built-in support beams or columns
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You operate in controlled indoor environments
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You need high-precision positioning for assembly or machining
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The crane will be used frequently in one fixed area
Common applications:
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Steel mills and foundries
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Manufacturing assembly lines
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Transformer and equipment assembly
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Heavy machining shops
Nybon Gantry and Overhead Crane Options
Here’s a quick comparison of Nybon’s gantry and overhead crane models:
| Model | Type | Capacity | Span | Lifting Height | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NGC-50T | Gantry Crane | 5–50 tons | 10–35 m | 6–20 m | Yard, port, precast |
| NGC-100T | Rail Gantry | 50–100 tons | 18–40 m | 8–25 m | Shipyard, wind power |
| NOC-10T | Overhead Crane | 1–10 tons | 7.5–20 m | 6–15 m | Workshop, warehouse |
| NOC-100T | Bridge Crane | 50–100 tons | 10–30 m | 8–24 m | Steel mill, assembly |
✔ VFD motion control available
✔ Remote or cabin operation
✔ Overload protection, anti-collision system
✔ Customized for different industries and sites
Why Buy from Nybon Machinery Group?
Nybon Machinery Group provides turnkey lifting solutions, offering both gantry and bridge cranes for industrial applications. We are:
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✅ A direct manufacturer – no middlemen, lower prices
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✅ Specialists in steel mill and heavy-duty cranes
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✅ Exporting to 40+ countries
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✅ Offering full engineering, manuals, and remote support
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✅ Committed to quality – all cranes tested under full load before shipping
Why Nybon Machinery Group?
With over a decade of experience in lifting solutions for the steel industry, Nybon Machinery Group stands out for its:
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🏭 In-House Manufacturing – We build, test, and ship directly from our own factory
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🔧 Custom Engineering – Cranes tailored to your coil specs, temperature limits, and space
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💰 Affordable Pricing – Factory-direct costs without distributor markups
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📦 Complete Export Package – Drawings, manuals, container loading, and delivery tracking
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🧪 Rigorous Testing – All cranes undergo full load testing before shipping
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🌍 International Projects – Serving clients in Asia, Europe, Middle East, and the Americas
Still Not Sure Which Crane to Choose?
If you’re deciding between a gantry crane vs overhead crane, reach out to Nybon Machinery Group. Our team can evaluate your site conditions, load requirements, and workflow to recommend the ideal crane system.📐 Layout drawings, specs, and installation guidance included
At Nybon Group, we’ve built custom cranes and hoists for:
- Ports lifting cargo containers
- Mines hauling ore carts
- Shipyards deploying anchors
Talk to Our Lifting Experts!
📧 Email: info@nybonmachinery.com
📱 WhatsApp: +86-15936506686
🌐 Visit: www.nyboncrane.com
As a professional Industrial Crane Supplier, Nybon offers
- Customizable Solutions – Available in various load capacities, speeds, and configurations to meet specific industrial requirements.
- High-Quality Manufacturing – Built with strict quality standards to ensure durability, reliability, and long service life.
- Low Maintenance Requirements – Engineered for minimal maintenance, reducing downtime and operational costs.
- Gantry Cranes
- Overhead Cranes
- Electrci Hoist
Get A Quote Today
Welcome to send a free inquiry to —info@nybonmachinery.com
