If your business operations do not require the lifting on any loads greater than 3 tons, a small gantry crane is likely to be the perfect investment choice. Such cranes are designed to lift loads up to 3 tons and have the benefit of being much less expensive than bigger industrial cranes that have greater lifting capacities. Of course, when your business only works with small loads, it makes no sense to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in heavy-duty 250-ton industrial lifting equipment.
Sourcing gantry cranes for sale online is very easy. However, your search can quickly become confusing as there are hundreds of different models to choose from. You will find cranes with different heights and spans. Different models also come with varying accessories and features, like main hooks, auxiliary hooks, single legs, aluminum bodies, electric-driven motors, diesel-powered motors and more. Consequently, choosing which one to order can be tough. At the end of the day, you just want to be sure you are buying a high-quality machine from a trusted supplier.
In most cases, a basic 3-ton gantry crane that has two legs will suffice. If your business, for example, requires a crane to lift engines into car bodies, a basic 5-ton gantry crane might be a better option. In general, unless your business works in the logistics industry, mass-scale construction industry, mining industry or shipbuilding industry, you can save time by not looking at the specifications of 10-ton to 250-ton+ gantry crane models.
Besides the maximum lifting capacity, the main difference between 3-ton and 5-ton cranes is that 3-ton cranes can be constructed from lightweight aluminum, while 5-ton cranes require a steel body. Of course, you can also get 3-ton cranes with a steel body if you are not looking for an ultra-lightweight design.
If you are planning to lift explosives or loads in extreme temperatures, you need to make sure you select a crane that is constructed from the right material. Manufacturers usually list the environments their cranes can operate in on their websites. You can also usually contact a live chat agent on a gantry crane supplier’s website to ask about operation condition specifications and limitations for different models.
The best things about 3-ton gantry cranes are that they are portable, affordable, lightweight and ideal for temporary use cases. The most important thing is to make sure you buy your gantry crane from a top-rated supplier. This means you need to take time to research the reputations of different crane manufacturers before placing an order. Don’t be tempted to just buy from the supplier with the cheapest prices, as low prices don’t necessarily equate to high-quality machinery and great customer service.
Perhaps the best way to get value for money on 3-ton gantry cranes is to order from an overseas supplier. Crane stockists in China, in particular, have some of the highest quality and lowest priced 3-ton gantry cranes in the marketplace. What’s more, many Chinese suppliers offer comprehensive operator training to their international customers.