Guide to Overhead Crane Types: Single Girder, Double Girder & More

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Overhead cranes are the backbone of modern material handling from steel plants and warehouses to automotive workshops and heavy manufacturing units. These machines ensure smooth, safe, and efficient movement of heavy loads across large workspaces. At Reva Cranes, we specialize in designing and manufacturing advanced overhead crane systems customized to industrial needs, ensuring safety, reliability, and performance for every lifting operation.  

What is an Overhead Bridge Crane?

An overhead bridge crane (also called an EOT crane - Electric Overhead Travelling crane) is a material handling system consisting of parallel runways and a travelling bridge that supports a hoist and trolley. It enables precise horizontal and vertical movement of heavy loads across the workspace. The key components include bridge girders, end carriages, hoist and trolley, and control systems. Together, they form a durable crane system that delivers smooth load transfer and optimal performance in demanding industrial environments. Want to learn more about cranes and hoists? Get comprehensive Buyers Guide for Cranes and Hoists Book for FREE! This detailed guide covers everything from specifications to selection criteria to Execution.  

Major Overhead Crane Types

1. Single Girder EOT Cranes

Single girder EOT cranes feature one bridge beam supported by end carriages. A hoist runs along the bottom flange of the girder, providing three essential motions: hoisting (up and down), cross-travel (across the span), and long travel (along the length of the bay). Advantages:

• Cost-effective and lightweight design
• Easy installation
• Ideal for small and medium facilities
• Efficient for loads up to 25 tonnes and for spans upto 20M
• Lower headroom requirements

These single girder overhead cranes are perfect for workshops, warehouses, and light fabrication industries where moderate lifting capacity is sufficient.

2. Double Girder EOT Cranes

Double girder EOT cranes have two parallel girders that provide superior strength and higher lifting capacity. The trolley and hoist operate on rails mounted on top of the girders, allowing for greater hook height and load stability. Advantages:

• Suitable for medium to heavy-duty applications
• Increased hook height and load stability
• Better for wide spans and continuous operation
• Mainteanance Ease
• Can handle loads from tens of tonnes up to 300+ tonnes
• Ideal for high-frequency, demanding operations

Double girder cranes are the preferred choice for steel plants, power generation facilities, and heavy engineering units where robust lifting capacity is essential.

3. Underhung (Underslung) Cranes

Underhung cranes are suspended from gantry girders, which are mounted inverted on trusses or beams. They are typically designed for lighter weights and are specifically used for applications where the crane needs to operate beneath existing structural members or above machines. Key Features:

• Available in single girder or double girder configurations
• Ideal for smaller loads, smaller spans, specific for a machine within a larger building of higher spans.
• Perfect for installations where building structure is already in place
• Commonly used above machine tools and assembly lines

These cranes maximize the available lifting height in facilities with limited overhead clearance.

4. Gantry Crane Types (Goliath Cranes)

Unlike building-supported overhead cranes, gantry cranes (also known as Goliath cranes or Portal cranes) are self-standing structures with legs that run on ground rails. They are suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications. Types include:

• Full Gantry Cranes: Both ends supported on legs; ideal for open warehouses, shipyards, and construction sites
• Semi-Gantry Cranes: One side runs on an elevated rail (building-mounted) while the other side has legs on the ground
• Portable Gantry Cranes: Lighter, mobile units for maintenance and workshop tasks

Gantry cranes are particularly useful where building columns are weak, temporary installations are needed, or outdoor material handling is required.

5. Jib Cranes

JIB cranes consist of a cantilever beam (jib arm) on which a hoist moves. They offer exceptional flexibility for localized lifting tasks in defined work areas. Jib cranes can be used both indoors and outdoors, depending on the application. Types of Jib Cranes:

• Pillar-Mounted (Self-Standing): Free-standing with foundation, can rotate 180°, 270°, or 360°
• Wall-Mounted: Attached to building columns or walls
• Wall-Traversing: Can travel along the wall in addition to rotating

Typical Motions:

1. Hoisting (up and down) motion
2. Cross-travel along the cantilever beam
3. Rotation around the pillar (for rotating types)

Jib cranes are ideal for machine loading, workstation support, and areas where full overhead crane coverage is not required.  

Comparing Different Overhead Crane Types

Crane Type	Structure	Load Capacity	Best Applications
Single Girder EOT	One bridge girder	Up to 25 tonnes	Workshops, warehouses, light manufacturing
Double Girder EOT	Two parallel girders	Up to 300+ tonnes	Heavy manufacturing, steel plants, power plants
Underhung Crane	Suspended from roof structure	Light to medium	Low headroom areas, above machines
Gantry Crane	Self-standing with legs	Medium to heavy	Shipyards, outdoor yards, open warehouses
Jib Crane	Cantilever beam	Light to medium	Workstations, machine loading, localized lifting

Applications of Overhead Cranes

Overhead cranes are essential across diverse industries:

• Steel and metal fabrication: Handling heavy plates, coils, and castings
• Automobile and aerospace: Assembly line operations and component handling
• Logistics and warehousing: Container movement and storage operations
• Power plants and cement industries: Equipment installation and maintenance
• Heavy engineering and construction: Moving machinery and structural components
• Machine shops: Supporting production and machining operations

At Reva Cranes, every crane system is engineered for durability, safety, and efficiency to suit your specific operational environment.  

How to Choose the Right Overhead Crane

Before selecting a crane system, consider these critical factors:

1. Load Capacity: What is the maximum weight you need to lift?
2. Span Requirements: What is the distance between the runway rails?
3. Lift Height: How high do you need to lift the load?
4. Duty Cycle/Class: How frequently will the crane operate?
5. Available Space and Headroom: What are your building constraints?
6. Indoor vs. Outdoor Use: Will the crane be exposed to weather?
7. Ambient Temperature: Are there extreme temperature conditions?
8. Control Type: Pendant, radio remote, or cabin operation?
9. Special Features: Do you need VVVF drives, micro-speed, or explosion-proof design?
10. Safety Standards and Maintenance: What are the regulatory requirements?

Need help selecting the right crane?   Consult Reva Cranes for expert guidance. Our team will conduct a site survey and recommend the ideal overhead crane configuration for your application.   Pro Tip: Get our FREE Buyers Guide for Cranes and Hoists Book to get detailed specifications, selection criteria, and technical insights that will help you make an informed decision.  

Why Choose Reva Cranes?

• 60+ years of trusted manufacturing experience since 1963
• Custom-engineered solutions: Single girder, double girder, underhung, and gantry cranes
• 100% inhouse Manufacturing ensuring quality and timely delivery
• Certified quality with advanced safety features
• Nationwide service and support network
• Proven expertise across multiple industries
• ISO and Zed certified manufacturing processes

Our commitment: Delivering reliability that lifts your productivity.  

Conclusion

Understanding the different types of overhead cranes from single girder and double girder EOT cranes to underhung, gantry, and jib crane systems helps you make an informed, safe, and cost-effective investment for your material handling needs.     Each crane type serves specific applications, load requirements, and operational environments. By selecting the right configuration, you ensure optimal performance, safety, and return on investment.     Looking for a reliable overhead crane manufacturer in India? Contact Reva Cranes today for customized, high-performance lifting solutions. 📞 Get in touch: Consult our experts for a site survey and detailed quotation.     📘 FREE Resource: Get the Book : Buyers Guide for Cranes and Hoists  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What are the different types of overhead cranes?

A1. Common types include single girder EOT cranes, double girder EOT cranes, underhung (underslung) cranes, gantry cranes (Goliath cranes), and jib cranes—each suited to different load ranges, applications, and building configurations.  

Q2. What is an overhead bridge crane?

A2. An overhead bridge crane (also called an EOT crane) consists of parallel runway beams with a travelling bridge spanning between them. A trolley and hoist move on the bridge to lift and transport loads across a workspace.  

Q3. What is the difference between single girder and double girder cranes?

A3. Single girder EOT cranes use one bridge beam (lighter, cost-effective, ideal for up to 20 tonnes). Double girder cranes use two parallel girders for higher load capacity (up to 200+ tonnes), greater hook height, and superior stability—preferred for heavy-duty industrial use.  

Q4. What is an EOT crane?

A4. EOT stands for Electric Overhead Travelling crane. It's an electrically powered overhead crane that travels on fixed runways. EOT cranes can be single girder or double girder variants and are suitable for automated, high-frequency lifting tasks across industries.  

Q5. Is an EOT crane the same as an overhead crane?

A5. Yes. EOT crane and overhead crane are the same thing. "EOT" simply describes the electric, overhead, travelling characteristics of the crane. All EOT cranes are overhead cranes.  

Q6. How do gantry cranes differ from overhead cranes?

A6. Gantry cranes are self-standing structures supported on legs that run on ground rails (floor-mounted), making them suitable for outdoor yards or facilities where building structure cannot support overhead loads. Overhead EOT cranes are building-mounted on runway beams and are preferred inside factories.  

Q7. Can jib cranes be used outdoors?

A7. Yes. Jib cranes can be designed for both indoor and outdoor use. Outdoor jib cranes are built with weather-resistant materials and corrosion protection to withstand environmental conditions.  

Q8. What industries use overhead bridge cranes?

A8. Key industries include steel & metal processing, automotive manufacturing, heavy engineering, shipbuilding & ports, power generation, cement plants, warehousing & logistics, aerospace, and construction.  

Q9. What components make up an overhead crane?

A9. Main components are bridge girders, end carriages, hoist & trolley, and the electrical/control system (pendant, radio remote, or cabin control).  Runway beams (gantry girders), Rails and DSL are also essential requirement of overhead crane system and should be ordered along with the crane  

Q10. How often should overhead cranes be maintained?

A10. Routine visual checks are recommended daily or before each shift. Formal inspections and servicing typically occur every 3–6 months depending on duty cycle and usage. Follow manufacturer guidance and local safety regulations for inspection frequency.  

Q11. Can overhead cranes be customized?

A11. Yes. Cranes can be customized for load capacity, span, lift height, control type (pendant/radio/cabin), speed ranges, duty class, explosion-proofing, IP ratings, IoT monitoring, anti-sway systems, and more to suit specific applications and environments.  

Q12. What capacity ranges do single and double girder cranes cover?

A12. Single girder EOT cranes commonly serve light to medium loads (typically up to 25 tonnes depending on design). Double girder cranes handle heavy-duty loads from tens of tonnes up to 300+ tonnes or more for custom-built systems.  

Q13. Which crane type is best for limited headroom?

A13. Underhung (underslung) single girder cranes or low-headroom hoist designs are ideal where vertical clearance is restricted. Reva offers low-headroom solutions to maximize lift height in tight spaces.  

Q14. How do I choose the right overhead crane for my facility?

A14. Consider load weight & type, span & lift height, duty cycle, available headroom, indoor vs. outdoor use, ambient conditions, safety standards, and lifecycle cost. Consult an experienced manufacturer like Reva Cranes for a site survey and custom recommendation.  

Q15. Are modern overhead cranes available with smart/IoT features?

A15. Yes. Many modern EOT and bridge cranes now include IoT-enabled condition monitoring, remote diagnostics, load monitoring, anti-sway controls, and predictive maintenance systems to improve uptime, safety, and operational efficiency.  

Q16. Where can I get help selecting and buying an overhead crane?

A16. Contact experienced overhead crane manufacturers like Reva Cranes for a site audit and detailed quotation. We offer expert consultations, custom designs, load testing, installation, commissioning, and nationwide after-sales support.  

Q17. Where can I learn more about crane specifications and selection?

A17. Get your FREE Buyers Guide for Cranes and Hoists book from Reva Cranes. This comprehensive guide covers technical specifications, duty classifications, selection criteria, safety standards, and maintenance best practices.