When you are presented with the task of having to move heavy loads within your facility, it will not be long before discussions about lifting equipment come about. While cranes may be the ones that tend to grab most of the attention, a lifting gantry may be a solution that should be taken into consideration.
What Exactly Does Lifting Gantry Mean?
In essence, these come in a range of configurations, including light aluminium systems designed for maintenance work and heavy steel systems with a guaranteed weight capacity measured in tons. They can be fixed in position or on wheels and rails, so you can relocate the gantry and the payload around the work area.
Where Gantries Make Sense
Factory production floors have the most immediate relevance in this regard. If you are assembling larger parts, having a gantry system gives you the precise lifting required without necessarily having to modify the structure of your factory. They’re most useful in new factory halls with lower roof heights where traditional crane solutions just won’t work.
The usage of portable gantries is on the rise at construction sites as they are being utilized for particular lift jobs. If you find yourself at construction sites or locations where it is difficult to bring a mobile crane to the area, a gantry lift will solve your problems.
The Commercial Considerations
The budgets that are considered for lift equipment can at times be daunting, but gantries represent an easier starting point for many organisations compared to cranes that are mounted on buildings. You are considering costs that are scalable based on the capability and functionalities that you require, and even more importantly, you are sidestepping costs that are involved when you are working with cranes that are mounted on buildings.
How long the installation takes also varies significantly. While some overhead cranes can take weeks to build and install, affecting the operations of a business, some gantry systems are installed and ready within a short span of days. This can be important if the business does not earn money when it’s operating.
It’s also worthy of attention that running costs warrant consideration. It is easy to maintain these, given that you only need to inspect them, ensure running surfaces are always clean, and take care of the hoist system. In contrast, if you were using building-mounted cranes, you would need to maintain these structures as well.
However, capacity leads most spec sheets but merely match your usual weight instead. Consider future requirements and occasional higher lifts as well and always factor in an appropriate margin for error anyway. Going smaller on a gantry to cut down on initial costs usually backfires when your requirements grow anyway.
Measuring span and height accurately is important. You want enough height not only for the object to be lifted but for the lifting machine itself, as well as leeway at the bottom for a safe working radius. It’s also important to keep in mind that while adjustable height gantry cranes have greater flexibility, they could have a lower lifting capability when fully extended.
Think about the ways you plan on actually utilising the equipment on a daily basis. Fixed gantries that go over permanent workstations are effective for repetitive procedures. The mobile units work best when you’re moving from one work area to another. Some plants may find it useful to have both available for different functions.
Buying a lifting gantry is a decision that should not be based on a solution to the current problems alone. To be able to address potential issues and grow to handle even more, it is best to choose with care.