Bridge Cranes

(800) 203-9176

Top Running

Single Girder Manual

Push/Pull (shown)

One of the most economical ways to move light loads, these top running bridge cranes are pushed/pulled by the operator, who controls the speed. This allows them to adjust to changing production demands. Top running cranes offer the advantage of a higher hoist elevation than underhung cranes. The extra hook height allows the crane to lift equipment and products higher.

  • Inexpensively manipulates loads up to five tons and spans up to 110 ft.
  • However, because push/pull overhead traveling cranes become harder to use as the physical size of the product increases, it is generally not recommended for capacities over two tons.
  • Operates best when installed at elevations of 15’ or below
  • Because it’s important for the operator to have good footing at all times, they are not recommended where floors are slick or regularly covered with debris

Hand Chain Drive

Hand chain driven manual bridges are operated by pulling a chain that is looped over a chain wheel to turn the drive shaft and the drive gears on the bridges wheels. Due to the relatively slow nature of a manual chain hoist, they are recommended for use in applications that require precision spotting. As loads increase in size and weight, hand chain bridge cranes become preferable to manual push/pull cranes.

  • Can manipulate loads up to 15 tons
  • Higher capacities are available with a double-girder setup
  • Spans are generally limited to 110 ft.
  • Works well with chain fall hoists, electric hoists, air hoists and air balancers.
  • Great for maintenance, die handling, and fabrication assembly applications
Manual Bridge Crane

Single Girder Motorized

Single Girder Motorized Bridge Crane

Featuring a reduced-torque start and electronic dual-speed operation, these bridge cranes offer superior headroom with spans that can exceed 85 feet, they’re available in one- to 20-ton capacities.

Top running single-girder overhead bridge cranes with spans in excess of 65 ft. frequently utilize a box girder construction. Featuring a light weight-to-span ratio, box girder bridge cranes – often referred to as mono box bridge cranes – can oftentimes reduce the size requirement for the structure supporting them.

Single-girder motorized overhead bridge cranes utilize underhung hoists, such as electric chain, wire rope, and air. Unless otherwise specified, these motorized bridge cranes include air or electric festoon systems.

  • Great for their reliability and long term maintenance savings
  • Generally move at higher speeds than underhung cranes, with speeds of up to 200 fpm
  • Excellent headroom
  • Available in one- to 20-ton capacities, with spans that can exceed 85 ft.
  • Can be shipped preassembled and receive an operation check prior to leaving the shop*
  • Remote controls and pendants on an independent track available
  • Many sizes and capacities pre-engineered for quicker delivery dates

*Overhead bridge cranes with an end truck length of over eight ft. must be disassembled for shipping

Double-Girder

With near-limitless capabilities, the double-girder top running bridge crane can feature two hoists on one trolley. This is the most heavy-duty model available, and can handle wider spans and heavier loads that the smaller cranes cannot. Double girder overhead bridge cranes can be constructed with either structural steel beams (W flange beams) or welded steel plates, commonly known as box girders. Box girder cranes have a very light weight-to-span ratio and in many cases can reduce the size of the structure required to support them as well as the cost of the crane itself. The CraneWerks engineering team can help determine which design is right for your application.

  • Available in almost unlimited capacities
  • Commonly built with either four or eight wheels (called a double-bogie type)
  • Can have two hoists on a single trolley or two separate hoists
  • Generally move at higher speeds than underhung cranes, with speeds approaching 200 fpm
  • Free-traveling pendants and radio controls available
  • All Harriman powered cranes are shipped fully assembled and tested*

*Overhead bridge cranes with an end truck length of over eight ft. must be disassembled for shipping

Double-Girder Bridge Crane

Underhung

Underhung Manual Bridge Crane

Push/Pull

Featuring terrific speed control, push/pull cranes accelerate and decelerate at the speed of the operator. This can be more efficient than handling the same loads with powered (motorized) cranes with set speed points. With a standard I-beam construction, underhung push/pull manual cranes are the most economical bridge cranes available; however, easier to push/pull patented rail and enclosed rail cranes are available where high and repetitive use is called for.

  • Inexpensively manipulates light loads at spans up to 45 ft.
  • Best used at operational heights of 15 ft. and below
  • Due to the applied force needed to move the bridge crane, some conditions may not be conducive to this type of system, including slick floors and areas with many floor obstructions
  • Exceptional speed control

Hand Chain Drive

Chain-driven bridge cranes are operated by pulling the hand chain that drives the geared wheels along the railway. While this gearing makes it easier to move loads than a push/pull system, it also makes the operation relatively slow, allowing for easier, more precise load positioning.

In general, underhung manual overhead bridge cranes are less expensive than top running cranes of the same capacity, yet just as durable and easy to operate.

Manual bridges work well with manual chain hoists, air hoists, electric hoists, and air balancers, with an electrical festoon wire or air hose to provide power to the lifting apparatus.

  • Inexpensively moves loads up to 15 tons
  • Enables precision spotting
  • Use for pumping stations, assembly applications, and maintenance bays
Underhung Manual Crane
Underhung Motorized Bridge Crane

Underhung Motorized Bridge Crane

A unique feature of these underhung cranes is their utility in applications where the transfer of a loaded hoist and trolley from one beam to another beam is required, done through the use of available transfer switches. Using these switches, ceiling-mounted workstation bridge cranes can be utilized to transfer loads from one underhung crane to another (i.e. from bay to bay), from a bridge to a single spur or to multiple monorail spurs; as well as to transfer an unloaded hoist to a hospital spur, where it can be worked on and maintained without interrupting critical plant operations.

  • Capacities of  one- to 15-ton
  • All Harriman bridge cranes are available with radio controls and independent traveling pendants
  • Harriman pre-engineers many bridge cranes to allow for quick delivery

Gorbel® Enclosed Track Workstation

Gorbel Bridge Crane

Gorbel® Work Station Cranes are a proven way to improve productivity, increase quality, and provide a safer work environment. Both the aluminum and steel Gorbel Workstation Crane Systems utilize enclosed track that is high in strength and low in weight, giving you easy movement and long life..

With the ability to span up to 30 ft. and lift capacities between 150 and 4000 lbs., our line of ergonomic crane products guarantees increased productivity. Depending on your needs, Gorbel has the workstation cranes that are sure to handle any project.

Free Standing Bridge Cranes

  • Enclosed track. You can erect the work station bridge crane anywhere on the facility floor. It provides for easy movement of the heavy load along the moving surface.
  • Ease of movement. This kind of assembly allows for the easier movement of bridge and trolleys, and there is no debris buildup along the track. Consistent, easy movement ensures the longevity of trolley wheels. Which means less maintenance, less possible repairs, and less downtime.
  • Superior load positioning. When the bridge moves along the enclosed track, there is no unexpected shifting, such as swaying, shimmying, or crab walking. The load is transported efficiently from point to point because every part of the frame is assembled to ensure superior load distribution.
  • Flexible precision. With a sturdy design, workers can count on the precise location of the load as they perform their tasks. As your product requirements change, the work station can be moved to accommodate your workers’ needs on the assembly line.

Ceiling Mounted Bridge Cranes

  • Built to order. A production manager can easily adjust the crane design and location to work with their ever changing facility and work flow. Whether it be adjusting the runway length or adding additional bridges, your Gorbel® workstation crane can help ensure production efficiency where you need it most.
  • Flexible design. With this system, the production manager can easily add or subtract extra sections to the track along the runway to fit the mechanical task or the transport of heavy loads. The bridge span can be up to 34 feet long.
  • Safe hoist operations. Each track profile is has a built in impact safety factor and is predesigned to accommodate hoist weight. A trolley operator can ensure the safe and ergonomic movements (vertical and/or horizontal) of the load or parts assembly at any point along the track.
  • Dependable and precise. Any production or distribution facility that has workers manipulating heavy loads faces greater risks of accidents. Because the entire mechanism will stay rigid (allowing for zero movement of the load), workers can carry out assembly or hoisting tasks with confidence.