A 3 ton gantry crane with an electric chain hoist.
Choosing the Right Gantry Crane for Your Application

How a Gantry Crane Can Improve Maintenance and Repair Operations

A gantry crane is a versatile mobile lifting solution used across various industries. Their adaptability makes them ideal for applications in maintenance and repair, where lifting needs often change locations within a facility—or even between sites. In this blog post, we will discuss what this product is, as well as two of the most common types: steel and aluminum gantry cranes.

A 3 ton gantry crane with an electric chain hoist.

A 3 ton steel gantry crane with an electric chain hoist.

What is a Gantry Crane?

A gantry crane consists of three main components: an I-beam or wide-flange beam and two support legs arranged in an A-frame design. Unlike jib cranes, which have a single support point at the mast base, gantry cranes use both legs to support the load. This design provides stability and mobility, especially when caster assemblies are attached to the legs, allowing the crane to roll easily from one location to another.

Using the appropriate casters, one or two workers can maneuver the gantry crane manually, making it an excellent choice for applications that require flexibility. Since gantry cranes don’t need to be permanently mounted to building supports or foundations, they’re highly suitable for both indoor and outdoor maintenance and repair tasks.

Choosing a Gantry Crane for Your Environment

When selecting a gantry crane, consider the environment where it will be used. Indoor gantry cranes are easy to move around the facility for quick repairs and maintenance. Depending on the crane’s capacity and caster type, workers can manually push the gantry crane to lift components wherever needed. Typically, indoor cranes use polyurethane caster assemblies for easy movement. They can also be track-mounted for controlled travel along a fixed path, and they can even be equipped with Nylacron casters, a cost-effective alternative to motorized travel. However, since maintenance often requires flexibility, portable or relocatable gantry cranes are generally the more ergonomic choice.

There are several types of gantry cranes to suit different applications, whether indoors or outdoors. Below, we explore two popular types and their ideal applications.

Application 1: Engine or Electrical Maintenance and Repair

In facilities that handle heavy equipment maintenance, like vehicles and machinery, adjustable steel gantry cranes are an excellent choice. These cranes allow workers to lift and maneuver heavy components—such as engines or transmissions—directly out of vehicles. Whether lifting parts from automobiles, rail cars, or transit vehicles, an adjustable gantry crane makes it easier to manage large, heavy components safely and efficiently.

product picture of a steel gantry crane from LGH

Adjustable steel gantry crane from LGH.

Why Adjustable Gantry Cranes?


Adjustability is essential in the engine and electrical maintenance fields. Many adjustable gantry cranes offer flexibility in height, span, and tread width. For example, a transit company working on rail cars can use a three-way adjustable gantry crane, which allows them to maneuver around the rail car and lift from nearly any position.

Stable and Self-Centering Design


With their stable A-frame leg design, gantry cranes help self-center the I-beam over the load, reducing sway. Some gantries even allow the I-beam to cantilever up to four feet past the end, enabling easy access to machinery for precision lifting.

Application 2: HVAC Maintenance and Repair

HVAC maintenance often calls for a highly mobile, lightweight lifting system. While steel gantry cranes work well indoors, they can be challenging to load onto service vehicles and transport to rooftops. For these tasks, aluminum gantry cranes are ideal. Lightweight and portable, aluminum gantry cranes are easy to load, unload, and transport to rooftops or other isolated locations. Two workers can assemble these cranes within minutes, making it a practical option for HVAC technicians.

Photo of a disassembled gantry in the back of an LGH truck.

Disassembled gantry crane in an LGH truck.

Why Aluminum Gantry Cranes?


Aluminum gantry cranes support loads up to 3 tons, making them reliable for HVAC installations, repairs, or maintenance on rooftops. They offer adjustable heights and spans, allowing technicians to work on uneven surfaces or in tight spaces. Aluminum gantry cranes can also be customized with pneumatic tires, facilitating smooth transportation across various surfaces, including rooftops and outdoor areas.

An aluminum gantry crane from LGH.

Aluminum gantry crane from LGH.

Choosing the Best Gantry Crane for Your Needs

The right gantry crane can improve efficiency, safety, and ease of operation. Whether you need an adjustable steel crane for heavy-duty lifting or a lightweight aluminum crane for rooftop HVAC maintenance, these products offer versatility across applications.

For more information and assistance in selecting the best tool for any job, click here to contact one of our a member of our expert team, or give us a call at (800878-7305.