Overhead bridge cranes
Single and double girder bridge cranes that cover the whole floor of your building. Supplied with the runway, hoist and controls, then installed and load tested.
What a bridge crane is
A bridge crane runs on two parallel runway beams along the length of a building. The bridge spans between them and the hoist travels across the bridge, so the hook can reach almost any point on the floor. Because nothing stands on the floor, forklifts and people can work underneath.
The runway sits either on the building's own columns, if they're strong enough, or on a set of freestanding columns built for the crane.
Single girder or double girder
| Single girder | One bridge beam with an underhung hoist. Lighter, cheaper and quicker to install. The usual choice up to about 10 t and moderate spans. |
|---|---|
| Double girder | Two bridge beams with the hoist running on top. Gives more hook height and suits heavier loads, longer spans and cranes that work hard all day. |
| Top running | The crane rides on rails on top of the runway beams. Best headroom; the runway must be designed for it. |
| Underslung | The crane hangs from the bottom flange of the runway beams. Useful where the roof structure can carry it and the floor must stay column-free. |
What we need to quote
- The heaviest load you'll lift, including slings and lifting gear
- Span between runway centres, or the building width
- Length of travel and the lift height you need under the hook
- How often the crane will work, which sets the duty class under AS 1418
- Photos of the building columns and roof structure, if you have them
We specify each crane for its duty, not just its capacity. A 5 t crane lifting twice a day and a 5 t crane running all shift need different hoists, motors and wheel sizes, and getting this right is what makes a crane last.
Compliance
Bridge cranes are designed to AS 1418 and operated and inspected under AS 2550. In most states the crane design has to be registered with the work health and safety regulator before use. We look after the design documentation and lodgement, then load test and commission the crane before handover.
Controls and options
Pendant or radio remote control, variable speed drives for smooth starts, travel limit switches, warning lights and horns, LED lighting under the bridge, and load displays can all be added. If you're replacing an old crane, we can often reuse a sound runway and save a large part of the cost.
Common questions
How long does a bridge crane take to supply and install?
For a standard single girder crane, allow several weeks from order for design, manufacture and delivery, then usually a few days on site to install and test. We'll give you a firm timeline with the quote.
Can my building hold an overhead crane?
Many industrial buildings can, but it has to be checked. If the columns or footings aren't rated for crane loads, we use a freestanding runway or a gantry crane instead.
What's the largest overhead crane you supply?
Most of our bridge cranes are between 1 t and 20 t. Heavier cranes can be supplied; tell us the load and we'll confirm.
Tell us what you need to lift.
Send the load, span and lift height if you know them. If you don't, we'll come and measure.