A plastic processing and recycling plant in Romania needed a practical lifting solution to replace injection molding machine gearboxes and transfer baled plastic waste within its workshop.
Since these operations were occasional rather than part of continuous production, the customer did not need a large overhead crane or permanent lifting infrastructure. Instead, they wanted a compact, independently supported crane that could be assembled on-site and moved electrically between work positions.
Based on these requirements, Yuantai Crane designed and manufactured a customized 5 ton electric portable gantry crane with an A-frame structure. Equipped with an electric chain hoist, motorized travel wheels, and both pendant and wireless remote controls, the crane provides the lifting and movement functions required for the customer’s workshop.
The equipment has completed export packaging and is being prepared for shipment to Romania. Installation and operating instructions have also been provided, together with remote technical guidance for on-site assembly.
Project Background: Lifting Requirements in a Plastic Processing Plant
The customer’s facility handles plastic processing and recycling operations, involving two main lifting applications.
Injection Molding Machine Maintenance
Replacing heavy gearboxes on injection molding machines requires lifting the components out of their installed positions and carefully positioning replacement units. A suitable lifting device helps the maintenance team handle these components more efficiently.
Baled Plastic Waste Handling
The facility also needs to lift and transfer packaged plastic waste between different working areas, requiring a crane that can be repositioned as needed.
Although these tasks involve loads of considerable weight, they are performed intermittently. Installing a conventional overhead bridge crane with runway beams would therefore be unnecessary for the customer’s actual requirements.
The customer preferred an independent A-frame gantry crane with sufficient lifting capacity, electric travel, and a straightforward structure suitable for on-site assembly.
Customized 5 Ton Portable Gantry Crane Solution
After reviewing the application, workshop dimensions, and operating requirements, Yuantai Crane selected an electric moving portable gantry crane with a 5-ton rated lifting capacity.
The configuration combines an electric chain hoist for vertical lifting, a motorized trolley for cross travel, and an electric drive system for gantry movement.
Main Technical Specifications
| Item | Specification |
| Crane Type | A-frame Portable Gantry Crane |
| Rated Capacity | 5 Ton |
| Span | 5 m |
| Lifting Height | 5 m |
| Duty Class | A3 |
| Drive Wheels | 2 Motorized PU-Coated Wheels |
| Supporting Wheels | 2 Swivel Casters with Brakes |
| Gantry Travel Speed | 8 m/min |
| Hoisting Mechanism | Electric Chain Hoist |
| Hoisting Speed | 2.7 m/min |
| Trolley Travel Speed | 11 m/min |
| Control Method | Pendant + Wireless Remote Control |
| Power Supply | 380V/50Hz/3-Phase |
The equipment configuration was selected around the customer’s required lifting capacity, available workshop space, power supply, and operating frequency.
Key Design Features for Workshop Operations
Several design details make this electric portable gantry crane suitable for the customer’s intended applications.
A-Frame Structure
The crane adopts an A-frame supporting structure, providing an independent lifting arrangement without requiring a dedicated overhead crane runway.
With a 5-meter span and 5-meter lifting height, the dimensions were specified according to the customer’s workshop and lifting requirements.
This configuration is particularly practical for facilities that need an independent lifting device but do not want to install a permanent overhead crane system.
Electric Travel with Polyurethane-Coated Wheels
The gantry crane is equipped with two motorized drive wheels, allowing electric movement at a travel speed of 8 m/min.
The wheels feature polyurethane coatings, which are suitable for workshop environments where protecting the floor surface is an important consideration. Two additional swivel casters with brake locks provide directional flexibility and help secure the crane when stationary.
Together, these four wheels provide a combination of powered travel and flexible positioning for the customer’s workshop operations.
Electric Chain Hoist and Motorized Trolley
For the lifting mechanism, Yuantai Crane selected a 5-ton motorized trolley electric chain hoist. The hoist operates at a lifting speed of 2.7 m/min, while the trolley travels along the main beam at 11 m/min.
This arrangement provides two essential movements: vertical lifting and horizontal cross travel. It is suitable for handling machine components during gearbox replacement as well as lifting packaged plastic waste.
Dual Operating Controls
The portable crane is equipped with both wired pendant control and wireless remote control.
The pendant provides a conventional operating method, while the wireless remote gives the operator greater flexibility in choosing a suitable position during lifting and positioning tasks.
Having both control options allows the customer to select the appropriate operating method for different working conditions.
Export Preparation and Remote Installation Support
After manufacturing and final preparation, the 5-ton electric portable gantry crane has completed export packaging and is ready for shipment to Romania.
Since the equipment is designed for on-site assembly, installation guidance is an important part of the delivery arrangement.
Yuantai Crane has provided the following support:
- Installation Instructions: Assembly guidance to help the customer’s team understand the installation sequence and equipment connections.
- Operating Instructions: Documentation covering the crane’s operating methods and basic equipment use.
- Remote Technical Guidance: Our technical team can assist the customer’s personnel through remote communication and video support during assembly, helping address installation questions and prepare the equipment for operation.
This arrangement allows the customer to organize local assembly while receiving technical assistance from the original equipment supplier.
When Should You Consider an Electric Portable Gantry Crane?
The Romanian project offers a practical reference for factories that require occasional lifting of heavy components without installing a permanent overhead crane system.
An electric portable gantry crane may be suitable for:
| Industry/Application | Typical Use |
| Plastic Processing | Injection molding machine gearbox replacement |
| Plastic Recycling | Lifting and transferring baled plastic waste |
| Machinery Workshops | Moving motors, gearboxes, and mechanical components |
| Equipment Maintenance | Occasional lifting during machine repair |
| General Manufacturing | Material handling between different workshop positions |
However, selecting a suitable gantry crane involves more than determining the required lifting capacity.
Before preparing a design, several factors should be considered:
- Rated Capacity: Determine the maximum load weight, including any lifting accessories.
- Span and Lifting Height: Confirm the required working width and the actual vertical clearance needed for lifting.
- Travel Requirements: Consider whether manual or electric travel is more appropriate and whether the workshop provides sufficient movement space.
- Floor Conditions: Check floor load-bearing capacity, levelness, surface condition, and the intended travel path.
- Operating Frequency: Select the appropriate duty classification based on the actual load spectrum and working cycles.
For occasional workshop lifting, a portable gantry crane can be a practical alternative to a permanent overhead crane. For continuous production handling or frequent heavy-duty operations, a different crane configuration may be more appropriate.
Customized Gantry Crane Solutions from Yuantai Crane
At Yuantai Crane, we design and manufacture gantry cranes according to individual lifting requirements rather than relying on a single standard configuration.
Depending on the application, we can assist with selecting the crane structure, lifting mechanism, travel arrangement, control method, and electrical configuration.
Whether you need a small portable gantry crane for machinery maintenance, a workshop indoor gantry crane, or lifting equipment for a plastic recycling facility, our team can help evaluate your requirements and prepare a suitable technical proposal.
Looking for a portable gantry crane for your workshop? Send us your required lifting capacity, span, lifting height, power supply, and application details. Yuantai Crane can assist with equipment selection, technical drawings, and a project-specific quotation.
