Single Girder Overhead Crane

A single girder overhead crane (also called a single-beam overhead crane or single-girder bridge crane) uses a single main girder supported by end beams at both ends to move loads along a single rail system. Voitto Crane’s single-girder overhead cranes offer lifting capacities ranging from 1 to 32 tons, spans from 7.5 to 31.5 meters, and lifting heights from 6 to 30 meters. Their five configurations meet most industrial needs. Each crane can be customized based on load capacity, span, lifting height, control method ( remote control or cab), and hoist type.

Product Introduction

A single-girder overhead crane features a single main girder and a single hoisting mechanism. This configuration offers the most cost-effective solution for light- to medium-duty lifting tasks with a load capacity of up to 32 tons. Compared to double-girder cranes, the single-girder design reduces clearance height requirements, lowers the dead weight of the steel structure, and simplifies installation and maintenance. It still meets the lifting capacity, span, and lifting height requirements of most manufacturing and warehousing facilities.

Single VS Double Girder Crane: Choose the Right Lifting Solution for Your Factory

The five configurations listed below (LX, LD, LDZ, LB, and HD) differ primarily in terms of installation method, hoist type, and suitable operating environments. Please review the specifications and refer to the pricing and selection guide sections to choose the configuration that best suits your operating conditions.

Types Of Single Girder Overhead Cranes

Our single girder overhead cranes are available in various types and configurations, each suited to specific lifting needs and usage scenarios. Let’s take a look at the most common types:

Specifications

Types	LX / NLX Suspension Overhead Crane
Load capacity	0.5-10 ton
Span	7.5-22.5 m
Lifting height	3-23.5 m
Lifting speed	0.7-8 m/min
Hoist running speed	20 m/min
Crane running speed	20 m/min
Work duty	A4

Specifications

Types	LD Single Girder Overhead Crane
Load capacity	1-32 ton
Span	7.5-31.5 m
Lifting height	3-26 m
Lifting speed	0.3-8 m/min
Hoist running speed	20 m/min
Crane running speed	20 m/min
Work duty	A4, A5

Specifications

Types	LB Explosion-proof EOT Crane
Load capacity	1-20 ton
Span	7.5-28.5 m
Lifting height	6-27 m
Lifting speed	0.33-8 m/min
Hoist running speed	20 m/min
Crane running speed	20 m/min
Work duty	A3
Explosion-proof grade	ExdⅡBT4、ExdⅡCT4

Specifications

Type	HD European FEM Standard OverheadCrane
Load capacity	1-20 ton
Span	7-31.5 m
Lifting height	3-28.5 m
Lifting speed	0.3-8 m/min
Hoist running speed	20 m/min
Crane running speed	20 m/min
Work duty	A4, A5
Lifting Mechanism	European Electric Hoist

Specifications

Type	LDZ Grab Overhead Crane
Load Capacity	3–10 t
Span	7.5-31.5 m
Grab Capacity	0.5–2.5 m³
Lifting Height	6-12 m
Lifting Speed	8 / 8–10 m/min
Hoist Running Speed	20 m/min
Crane Running Speed	20 / 30 m/min
Work Duty	A3-A5
Lifting Mechanism	Electric Wire Rope Hoist

Single vs Double Girder Comparison

Factor	Single Girder	Double Girder
Typical capacity	1–32 ton	5–320 ton
Typical span	7.5–31.5 m	10–50 m
Structural design	One main beam, underslung hoist trolley	Two parallel main beams, top-running trolley
Crane dead weight	Lower	Higher
Headroom required	Less — hoist hangs below the beam	More — trolley runs on top of the beams
Initial cost	Lower	Higher
Maintenance	Simpler, fewer components	More components, higher maintenance cost
Typical application	Light-to-moderate duty: workshops, warehouses, general manufacturing	Heavy-duty, large-span: steel mills, shipyards, heavy manufacturing

Choose a single girder overhead crane when capacity stays at or below roughly 32 tons and span requirements are under roughly 31.5 m — most manufacturing, warehousing, and workshop lifting tasks fall inside this range. Move to a double-girder overhead crane once capacity, span, or duty cycle exceeds these limits, or where headroom allows a top-running trolley design.

Single Girder Overhead Crane Parts

The single girder overhead crane consists of the main girder, the end girder, the Overhead Travel Mechanism, the electric hoist, and other parts. The functional characteristics of each part are as follows:

• Main Beam: Bracket for horizontal installation of electric hoist and determination of lifting span.
• End Beam: Mounting overhead Travel Mechanism, Longitudinal movement of the crane.
• Electric Hoist: A Device to move the hook up and down. It consists of a motor, gearbox, brake, drum, wire rope, hook, and block.
• Remote Controls: Device for controlling the operation of cranes
• Electrical Systems: Powering the crane to run.
• Safety Device: A protective device against crane lifting overloaded weights.

Single Girder Overhead Crane Price

Single girder overhead crane price depends on the full specification, not tonnage alone:

• Lifting Capacity and Span — The longer the span, the heavier the main girder must be, and additional structural reinforcement is required.
• Lifting Height — Longer wire ropes or chains and taller end beams increase costs.
• Duty Class (A3/A4/A5) — Higher duty classes require components with greater resistance to operational cycles.
• Hoist Type — European-style hoists used in HD-type cranes also cost more than standard hoists.
• Control System — Pendant pushbutton controls are the standard configuration; wireless remote controls and cab controls increase costs.
• Electrical Components —Motor brand, protection rating (IP rating), and voltage/frequency (50 Hz/60 Hz, single-phase/three-phase) affect the price of export orders.
• Installation Requirements —— Condition of the track beams, on-site assembly, and commissioning support.

The price ranges in the table below reflect the standard configurations for each crane type; the final price depends on a combination of the various factors listed above.

Type	Load Capacity	Span	Lifting Height	Price Range
LX Electric Single Girder Suspension Overhead Crane	0.5-10 ton	7.5-22.5 m	3-23.5 m	$3000 ~ $10000, depending on specifications
LD Electric Single Girder Overhead Crane	1-32 ton	7.5-31.5 m	3-26 m	$3100 ~ $25000, depending on specifications
LB Single Girder Explosion-Proof Overhead Crane	1-20 ton	7.5-28.5 m	6-27 m	$4000 ~ $18500, depending on specifications
HD European Single Girder overhead Crane	1-20 ton	7-31.5 m	3-28.5 m	$7800 ~ $50700, depending on specifications
LDZ Grab Overhead Crane	3-10 ton	7.5-31.5 m	6-12 m	$12,000–$26,000, depending on specifications

Buying Guide

1. Lifting Capacity — Calculate the sum of the heaviest standard load and the weight of the rigging, and round up to the nearest standard tonnage (1, 2, 3.2, 5, 7.5, 10, 12, 15, 20, or 32 tons).
2. Measure the Span — The span refers to the distance between two track beams (for overhead cranes, this refers to the spacing between ceiling tracks); verify this measurement in relation to building columns or the ceiling structure.
3. Lifting Height — Measure the distance from the floor (or lowest work surface) to the bottom of the track beam to determine the required hook travel.
4. Duty Class — The duty class should be selected based on the duty cycle frequency and average load factor, rather than solely on tonnage.
5. Hoist Type —European wire rope hoists are suitable for higher tonnages and high-frequency duty cycles; CD/MD electric hoists are suitable for lighter loads and low-frequency lifting operations.
6. Control Method — Select a pushbutton panel (handle) for fixed-position operation; choose a wireless remote control for mobile operation; and opt for cab control for continuous heavy-duty operations.
7. Installation Environment — In environments with flammable gases, select an LB explosion-proof crane; when ceiling clearance is limited, it is recommended to choose the LX suspended or HD European-style configuration.

If you have any specific requirements or need further assistance, please feel free to contact our team of experts, who will provide you with custom solutions and professional support.

FAQ

What is a single girder overhead crane?

A single girder overhead crane has one main beam supported by two end trucks that travel along runway beams (or ceiling rails, for underslung types), with an electric hoist running along the underside of the beam. It’s the most common, lowest-cost overhead crane configuration for light-to-moderate lifting.

What capacity can a single girder overhead crane handle?

Voitto’s single girder overhead cranes cover 1 to 32 tons across the five configurations. HD and LB cranes typically top out around 10–20 tons, while the LD bridge crane reaches up to 32 tons.

What span can a single girder overhead crane cover?

Span ranges from 7.5 m to 31.5 m depending on configuration, with the HD European crane covering the widest standard range. Span should match your building’s runway beam or column spacing.

What is the difference between a single girder and double girder overhead crane?

A single girder crane uses one main beam with an electric hoist; a double girder crane uses two beams with a top-running trolley. Single girder cranes cost less and need less headroom but top out around 32 tons — beyond that, or for spans over roughly 32 m, a double girder crane is the better fit. See the comparison table above for details.

What industries is a single girder overhead crane suitable for?

Manufacturing, warehousing and logistics, steel fabrication, chemical and hazardous-material handling, and food, beverage, or textile production. The right configuration depends on capacity, span, and whether the environment requires explosion-proof equipment.