Crane Model Codes Explained: QD, MG, LD, LX & More (Complete Chart)

If you have ever received a crane quotation with codes like QD, MG или ЛХ, you may have wondered what the letters mean. Chinese crane manufacturers use short letter codes to describe the crane type, structure and hoisting attachment. Once you know the logic, a model name tells you the basics at a glance.

This guide explains how crane model codes work, gives a full reference chart for the most common types, and shows how to use the codes when comparing suppliers.

Are Crane Model Codes a Mandatory Standard?

No. Older Chinese standards, such as GB/T 14405-93 for overhead cranes and GB/T 14406-93 for gantry cranes, did define code tables. Those standards have been withdrawn. Newer versions, including GB/T 14405-2011 and GB/T 14406-2011, no longer include a model-code system.

Today, under China’s TSG 51-2023 safety technical code for lifting equipment, a crane “model” simply identifies cranes of the same type that may differ in main parameters. The code is made up of letters describing the product type, main structure and mechanism layout, and each manufacturer defines its own model code.

In practice, most manufacturers still follow the traditional conventions, so the same letters appear across quotations. Treat the codes below as widely used industry habit, not a legal requirement. Always confirm the exact configuration in the written specification.

How to Read a Crane Model Code

Most codes follow a simple letter-by-letter pattern.

Позиция	Meaning	Common letters
1st letter	Crane type	Q bridge (overhead), M gantry, L beam, C crawler, Y metallurgical, T tower
2nd letter	Feature or lifting attachment	D hook, Z grab, C electromagnet, H hoist, X underhung
3rd letter (if any)	Travel mode or structure	E double trolley, S bidirectional, W наружное использование

Пример: QZ = Q (bridge crane) + Z (grab) = grab bridge crane.

Overhead (Bridge) Crane Codes

The first letter Q stands for bridge crane. The codes below come from the traditional table in GB/T 14405-93, now withdrawn, and the Crane Design Handbook.

Код	Crane type	Тележка
QD	Hook overhead crane	Single trolley
QE	Hook overhead crane	Double trolley
QZ	Grab overhead crane	Single trolley
контроль качества	Electromagnetic overhead crane	Single trolley
QN	Grab-and-hook overhead crane	Single trolley
QA	Electromagnet-and-hook overhead crane	Single trolley
QP	Grab-and-electromagnet overhead crane	Single trolley
QS	Three-purpose overhead crane (hook, grab or electromagnet)	Single trolley

A “three-purpose” crane can use a hook, a grab or an electromagnetic chuck as a detachable lifting attachment. For an outdoor version, many manufacturers add W at the end of the model.

Gantry Crane Codes

The first letter M stands for gantry crane. Codes are split by main girder type.

Двухбалочные козловые краны

Код	Crane type	Girder and trolley
MG	Hook gantry crane	Double girder, single trolley
ME	Hook gantry crane	Double girder, double trolley
MZ	Grab gantry crane	Double girder, single trolley
MC	Electromagnetic gantry crane	Double girder, single trolley
MN	Grab-and-hook gantry crane	Double girder, single trolley
MP	Grab-and-electromagnet gantry crane	Double girder, single trolley
MS	Three-purpose gantry crane	Double girder, single trolley

Однобалочные козловые краны

Single girder codes insert D after the M. For example, MDG is a single girder hook gantry crane, MDE is a single girder gantry with double trolleys, and MDZ is a single girder grab gantry crane. The same pattern continues with MDC, MDN, MDP and MDS.

In short, MG = double girder hook gantry и MDG = single girder hook gantry. Mixing these two up is a common source of quotation errors.

Single Girder, Hoist, Explosion-Proof and Jib Crane Codes

Light-duty cranes built around electric hoists use a different set of codes, starting with L (beam) or B (jib).

Код	Crane type
LD	Electric single girder crane (hoist below the girder)
LDP	Electric single girder crane (hoist on an angle-type trolley)
LDC	Electric single girder crane (hoist at the side of the girder)
ЛХ	Electric single girder underhung crane
LXC	Underhung crane (hoist at the side of the girder)
LH	Electric hoist bridge crane
QB	Explosion-proof overhead crane
LB	Explosion-proof electric single girder crane
LXDB	Explosion-proof underhung crane
LHB	Explosion-proof electric hoist bridge crane
MH	Electric hoist hook gantry crane
MHZ	Electric hoist grab gantry crane
MHC	Electric hoist electromagnetic gantry crane
BZ / BZD	Pillar-mounted jib crane (manual / electric slewing)
BX / BXD	Wall-mounted jib crane (manual / electric slewing)

Note: in the explosion-proof codes, B means explosion-proof, not “jib.” That is why QB is an explosion-proof overhead crane, while BX is a wall-mounted jib crane. Always read the letter in context.

Since GB/T 8906-2014, Chinese standards use the term “cantilever crane” instead of the older “slewing jib crane.”

Metallurgical and Special-Purpose Crane Codes

Cranes for steel plants and ports use their own codes. Many of these come from industry practice rather than a formal standard.

Код	Crane type
YZ	Foundry (casting) crane
YH	Quenching crane
YP / YN	Charging rake crane (rigid / flexible rake)
YB	Slab clamp crane
YQ	Clamp crane
YC	Rotating electromagnetic crane
YD	Forging crane
YT	Ingot stripping crane
YJ	Lid-lifting crane
QY	Insulated overhead crane
QM	Slow-speed overhead crane
QL	Electromagnetic beam overhead crane
MB	Semi-gantry crane
MJ	Container gantry crane
MQ	Ship-unloading bridge / gantry
MX	Container unloading bridge

For example, YZ это Y (metallurgical) plus Z (casting). Remember that many entries in this group are reference codes only, and different manufacturers may use different letters.

Why Model Codes Can Differ Between Suppliers

Since the codes are no longer fixed by a national standard, you may see variations:

• A manufacturer may add suffixes for European-style design, outdoor use, or special duty.
• Some brands use their own series names alongside or instead of traditional codes.
• The same letters may mean slightly different things for niche cranes.

The code is a shortcut, not a specification. Two cranes with the same code can have different capacity, span, duty class, lifting height and components.

How to Use Model Codes When Requesting a Quote

1. Describe the application first, such as workshop, outdoor yard or steel plant, then ask the supplier to recommend a model.
2. Ask for the code meaning in writing. A reliable supplier will explain every letter.
3. Confirm the key parameters separately: rated capacity, span, lifting height, working duty (such as A5 or A6), power supply and control method.
4. Check the lifting attachment. A hook, grab or electromagnet changes the design and price.
5. Compare like with like. Do not compare a QD quotation with an LD quotation as if they were the same product. They differ in structure, duty and cost.

Explore Our Crane Range

Dafang Crane supplies the common types covered above, including double girder overhead cranes (QD, QB, QZ, QY and others), electric hoist overhead cranes (LH/NLH), European-style overhead cranes (QDXX), explosion-proof cranes, steel-mill cranes (YZ, YB) and gantry cranes. If you are not sure which code fits your project, send us your capacity, span and working environment, and our engineers will recommend a suitable model.

ЧАСТО ЗАДАВАЕМЫЕ ВОПРОСЫ

Q1：What does QD mean in a crane model?

QD refers to a hook overhead (bridge) crane with a single trolley. Q stands for bridge crane and D for hook.

Q2：What is the difference between MG and MDG?

MG is a double girder hook gantry crane. MDG is a single girder hook gantry crane.

Q3：What does LD stand for?

LD is an electric single girder crane. L stands for beam type and D for electric.

Q4：What does the letter W mean at the end of a model?

W commonly indicates an outdoor version of the crane.

Q5：Are crane model codes the same worldwide?

No. They are widely used in China and by Chinese exporters. European and American manufacturers often use their own naming systems, so always confirm specifications in writing.