Bridge Crane
Definition: What is a Bridge Crane?
Called often also an overhead crane, a bridge crane consists of parallel runways with a traveling bridge spanning the gap. The crane’s lifting component, known as the hoist, travels along the bridge. If the bridge is rigidly supported on two or more legs running on a fixed rail at ground level, the crane is called a gantry crane.
Unlike mobile or construction cranes, overhead cranes are typically used for applications where efficiency or minimal downtime are critical factors.
Savings from not renting mobile cranes often offset the cost of a bridge crane.
There are two basic configurations:
The EOT (electric overhead crane) is the most common type of bridge (overhead) crane. These cranes are operated using a control pendant, radio/IR remote pendant or from an operator cabin that is attached to the crane itself.
The rotary bridge (overhead) crane has one end of the bridge mounted on a fixed pivot and the other end carried on an annular track. The bridge traverses the circular area beneath.