1. Depending on their structural type, gantry cranes can be classified into the following categories:

1.1. Based on the structural type of the gantry:

Gantry cranes can be classified into full gantry cranes, semi-gantry cranes, and bucket-type gantry cranes.

Semi-gantry cranes do not have a complete gantry structure. Their two running tracks are not on the same horizontal plane; one is laid on the ground, and the other is laid in a warehouse or on a specially constructed trestle.

Bucket gantry cranes, commonly known as bucket gantry cranes, incorporate cargo handling equipment, combining the functions of gantry cranes, ship loaders, and ship unloaders. Compared to traditional gantry cranes, bucket gantry cranes offer advantages such as high automation, specialized functionality, high loading/unloading efficiency, ease of operation, low energy consumption, and minimal environmental impact. It can significantly improve the loading and unloading efficiency of bulk cargo at ports and reduce port handling costs.

Currently, port handling is evolving from general-purpose terminals to specialized terminals, resulting in significantly improved handling efficiency. However, in the face of diverse cargo types in the market, the single-purpose nature of specialized terminal handling machinery creates obvious deficiencies in port handling. The development of bucket gate cranes has addressed these deficiencies in port handling machinery.

Bucket door cranes differ from gantry cranes and ship unloaders. They are specialized equipment designed for bulk cargo handling at specialized terminals, featuring high levels of automation. Their terminal track gauge is only 10.5 meters, whereas ship unloaders have a track gauge exceeding 16 meters. Additionally, bucket door cranes have a compact gantry structure, small equipment size, minimal terminal space requirements, low failure rates, and superior performance. Furthermore, it possesses the rotating functionality of a gantry crane, enabling it to handle both bulk and general cargo, thereby increasing the diversity of cargo types that can be handled at the terminal. Due to its ability to handle both bulk cargo and general cargo, it demonstrates strong adaptability and versatility in cargo handling at terminals, making it highly popular among port owners during equipment procurement. In recent years, the demand for bucket-type gantry cranes in the port machinery market has been steadily increasing.

Docks using bucket-type gantry cranes optimize traditional bulk cargo handling processes compared to conventional gantry cranes. In the past, bulk cargo was unloaded by gantry cranes onto the terminal, then transferred by dump trucks to the cargo yard, and finally stacked in the yard. Now, bucket-type gantry cranes directly convey bulk cargo via on-board conveyors to the terminal conveyors, continuously transferring it to the rear cargo yard, thereby reducing intermediate transfers, improving efficiency, and lowering energy consumption. Users have found through comparative analysis that the bulk cargo handling efficiency of bucket-equipped gantry cranes is more than three times that of traditional handling processes. Belt conveying of bulk cargo significantly reduces spillage, preventing cargo loss for shippers. Dust collection devices on the buckets and fully enclosed belt conveying systems also greatly improve port environmental protection. Through belt flow detection equipment, accurate control of bulk cargo flow is achieved, further enhancing port management efficiency.

The gantry structure of bucket door cranes is complex, with multiple electrical control programs. Compared to gantry cranes, they incorporate additional design features such as boom extension mechanisms, conveying systems, and hopper systems, while retaining all the functions of conventional port cranes. For manufacturers, this not only increases the technological complexity but also significantly raises production difficulties, thereby serving as a benchmark for evaluating the design capabilities and production capacity of port machinery manufacturers.

1.2. Classified primarily by the structural type of the boom:

Gantry cranes can be classified into two types: four-link combination boom gantry cranes and single-boom gantry cranes.

Four-link combination boom gantry cranes are further divided into traditional four-link gantry cranes and double four-link gantry cranes. Double four-link gantry cranes were developed to meet the demand for container handling, preventing container tilting and rotation during lifting operations. A small four-link device was added to the traditional four-link boom, enabling smooth container lifting and loading/unloading operations, and facilitates the switching of various lifting devices. The primary advantage of the four-link gantry crane is its large clearance height below the boom, resulting in a lower overall height of the crane under certain lifting height requirements. However, it has a complex structure and significant weight, whereas the single-boom design is the opposite. Currently, most domestic applications utilize the four-link combination boom gantry crane.

2. Characteristics of gantry cranes:

The working mechanism has a high movement speed.

Lifting speed can reach 70 meters per minute (m/min).

Boom swing speed can reach 55 meters per minute.

The rated lifting capacity range is very wide. Generally, it ranges from 5 to 100 tons (t). For shipbuilding gantry cranes, the lifting capacity range is even larger, currently reaching 150 to 300 tons (t).

High operational efficiency. Can operate for 22 hours per day, with high hourly efficiency. Typically exceeds 100 tons per hour. Three-dimensional structure. Does not occupy much dock or yard space, featuring a tall gantry and long boom extension, thereby providing significant lifting height and working radius. This meets the requirements for mechanized loading, unloading, and transshipment of ships and vehicles at ports and docks, as well as efficient use of available space.

High cost. It requires a large amount of steel, with a self-weight generally ranging from 500 tons to 1,000 tons. It requires a significant power supply, with the standard power supply being 10 kV/50 Hz. It typically has a high wheel load, such as 40 tons/45 meters, with a maximum of ≤300 kN. It requires a sturdy foundation and has numerous auxiliary facilities, such as substations and cables.

3. Portal cranes have extremely high adaptability to cargo types:

Except for specialized liquid bulk terminals handling oil products and liquefied gas, portal cranes are generally suitable for handling all types of cargo at terminals, such as iron ore, grain, coal, bauxite, cement, timber, steel plates, oversized cargo, ship outfitting, bagged solid chemicals, general cargo, containers, and more. Additionally, this crane type can be flexibly applied to both loading and unloading operations.

The advantage of the gantry crane's versatility in handling various cargo types is not only reflected in the multifunctionality of a single berth but also becomes more evident in large-scale ports when dock planning, market route changes, or other factors necessitate the renovation, upgrading, or relocation of dock handling equipment.

4. Economic Efficiency of Gantry Cranes:

The economic efficiency of gantry cranes is primarily reflected in the following aspects: Among fixed-type cargo handling equipment at the terminal front, the construction costs of gantry cranes are significantly lower than those of specialized cargo handling equipment such as ship unloaders.

The cost advantages of the equipment are primarily reflected in the following aspects:

(1) In terms of foundation design and manufacturing processes, the crane model design is mature, cost-effective, and subject to sufficient market competition. In addition to several major domestic main equipment manufacturers possessing independent design and innovation capabilities, specialized universities and professional design consulting firms also serve as supplementary design resources for gantry cranes. Whether adopting a “turnkey” turnkey contracting model or separate bidding and procurement for design and manufacturing, the design component can achieve optimization in both design fees and design rationality and economy in the domestic market, with design costs actually accounting for approximately 3% of the total turnkey contract price.

(2) Compared to specialized terminal front-end unloading equipment such as ship unloaders, gantry cranes have relatively lower speeds and operating cycles. In terms of component selection, except for critical components like bearings and certain electrical control components, most parts can be domestically produced or manufactured domestically using imported brands. The significant domestic production of components has, on the one hand, directly reduced the procurement costs of new machine parts, and on the other hand, significantly improved the quality assurance and timeliness of spare parts for after-sales service, thereby greatly enhancing the economic efficiency of post-installation maintenance. Additionally, from the perspective of overall project control, the domestic production of components has significantly shortened the construction schedule and accelerated capital turnover, benefiting both buyers and sellers. With the widespread application of gantry cranes in shipyards, ports, logistics centers, and other locations in recent years, the market for gantry crane components has continued to expand, attracting a number of reputable upstream and downstream manufacturers of port machinery equipment to invest in the research and development of domestically produced components. Significant breakthroughs have been achieved in key components such as gearboxes, brakes, electrical control hardware and systems, container lifting devices, and grabs.

(3) Economic efficiency in transportation and installation.

Due to their relatively light self-weight and low overall height, the currently mature transportation and installation models for gantry cranes in China primarily utilize large-item or disassembled transportation solutions. While this approach incurs additional costs for on-site assembly and floating crane coordination compared to large equipment like ship unloaders, it allows for the use of smaller-sized transport vessels and significant savings in labor and materials for securing cargo, while also minimizing the risks associated with unloading the equipment onto shore, making it a more economical option.

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