Bridge Cranes vs Gantry Cranes

The right type of crane plays a critical role in workplace safety, operational efficiency, and how well a site functions day to day. 

The correct crane solution helps move heavy loads smoothly, reduces manual handling risks, and ensures the available space is used effectively. Bridge cranes and gantry cranes are two of the most common options, but they suit very different environments and applications.

What Is a Bridge Crane?

A bridge crane, also known as an overhead crane, consists of a horizontal bridge that travels along elevated runways fixed to a building’s structure. A hoist and trolley run along the bridge, allowing loads to be lifted and moved across the workspace from above.

Bridge cranes are most commonly found in indoor settings such as factories, warehouses, manufacturing plants, and production facilities where a permanent lifting solution is required. Single-girder bridge cranes and double-girder bridge cranes are the most common types used. 

Advantages of bridge cranes include efficient use of floor space, high lifting capacities, and precise load control. Because the crane operates overhead, it keeps the working area clear for people and equipment below.

The primary limitation of bridge cranes is the need for a building structure that can support the crane and runways.

What Is a Gantry Crane?

A gantry crane is similar in function to a bridge crane but is supported by legs that run on wheels or rails at ground level. Instead of relying on a building structure, the crane supports itself and moves along the floor or ground. Similar to bridge cranes, gantry cranes often come as single-girder gantry cranes or double-girder gantry cranes. 

Unlike bridge cranes, gantry cranes are commonly used in outdoor yards, loading areas, workshops, shipyards, and temporary work sites where overhead support is not available.

Key advantages of gantry cranes are the elimination of an elevated runway and suitability for outdoor or open spaces. Many gantry cranes can be relocated as site needs change. Oppositely, limitations may include the need for remote 3 phase power supply and the need for clear ground space for the legs and travel path.

Key Differences Between Bridge Cranes & Gantry Cranes

Installation

Bridge cranes require permanent installation and rely on the building’s structure or dedicated columns to support the runway system. This makes them ideal for purpose-built facilities but less suitable where structural support is limited.

Gantry cranes are self-supporting and sit on legs that run along the ground or on rails, removing the need for overhead structural support and simplifying installation.

Mobility and Flexibility

Bridge cranes are fixed within a defined area and operate within the limits of the installed runways. While highly efficient, they are not easily relocated once installed.

Gantry cranes offer greater mobility, with many designs able to be moved or repositioned as site requirements change, making them well-suited to evolving or temporary workspaces.

Indoor vs Outdoor Use

Both cranes are equally suited to indoor and outdoor conditions. Gantry cranes are commonly used in yards, loading areas, and open sites where overhead crane systems are impractical.

Cost and Maintenance

Bridge cranes typically involve lower crane cost, but higher structural costs due to structural modifications, engineering, and installation. They often deliver long-term efficiency and lower ongoing operating costs in high-use environments.

Gantry cranes generally have higher crane costs, but lower structural costs and faster installation, though maintenance may be higher due to ground-level components.

Bridge Cranes vs Gantry Cranes

Which Crane Is Right for Your Application?

Load capacity and span requirements

The weight of the loads being lifted and the distance they need to travel are key starting points. Bridge cranes are well-suited to high-capacity lifting and long spans, particularly in facilities handling heavy or repetitive loads. Gantry cranes are ideal for moderate loads and shorter spans, especially where lifting needs are more intermittent or spread across different areas.

Site constraints and building structure

The physical layout of the site often determines the most practical crane solution. If a building is designed to support overhead runways or can be engineered to do so, a bridge crane provides a permanent, space-efficient option. Where overhead support is not available, or where work takes place outdoors or in open areas, a gantry crane offers a self-supporting alternative without structural modifications.

Frequency of use and future scalability

For operations with frequent, daily lifting tasks, bridge cranes deliver long-term efficiency, precision, and reliability. In comparison, gantry cranes suit lower-use, seasonal, or project-based work where flexibility is more important. Gantry systems are also easier to relocate or modify as site requirements evolve, making them a practical choice for businesses expecting changes in layout or workflow over time.

Choosing Cranes

Bridge cranes and gantry cranes are both highly effective lifting solutions, but they serve different operational needs. 

To summarise, bridge cranes are best suited to permanent, high-use environments where heavy loads, long spans, and efficient use of floor space are critical. Gantry cranes, on the other hand, offer flexibility and ease of installation, making them ideal for outdoor areas, temporary worksites, or facilities without the structural capacity for an overhead system.

Ultimately, the right choice comes down to load requirements, site conditions, frequency of use, and future plans. By assessing how and where the crane will be used, businesses can select a solution that improves safety, supports efficient workflows, and delivers long-term value.

Ready to Find a Crane Solution?

Whether you need a high-capacity overhead bridge crane for a permanent facility or a flexible gantry crane for outdoor or project-based work, choosing the right system makes all the difference to safety, productivity, and long-term performance.

For expert advice, tailored solutions, and industry-leading lifting systems, contact the team at JDN Monocrane today. We offer a wide range of cranes for sale, from industrial solutions to workstation crane options. With over 45 years of crane industry experience, we have the product development and knowledge to help design, manufacture, and install a standard or specialised crane solution for your needs.