Goliath Crane
The Goliath crane, also known as a gantry or portal crane, stands as one of the most formidable and versatile pieces of equipment in modern material handling. Named for its monumental size and strength, this self-supporting, bridge-type crane is indispensable across heavy industries, from shipping logistics and shipbuilding to precast concrete manufacturing and infrastructure construction. Its defining feature is its structure: a horizontal girder, which bears the load and carries the trolley/hoist mechanism, is supported by two vertical legs that travel along rails embedded in the ground. This design provides exceptional lifting capacity and an independence from existing building structures, setting it apart from its smaller counterpart, the overhead bridge crane.
The primary advantage of the Goliath crane
Unlike an overhead crane, which requires expensive, reinforced gantry steelwork attached to a factory’s support columns, the Goliath crane rests entirely on its own freestanding legs. This makes it an economically superior and far more flexible solution for outdoor stockyards, construction sites, and areas where existing building columns are either inadequate for heavy loading or non-existent. Furthermore, because the crane runs on ground-level rails, it can be easily disassembled and relocated, offering a significant benefit for temporary projects or businesses that frequently shift operations.
Goliath cranes are tailored to their application through key design variations.
The most fundamental distinction lies in the number of girders. Single girder designs are cost-effective, lighter, and typically used for medium-duty tasks, accommodating loads up to around 20 tons and offering greater hook height due to the hoist running beneath the beam. In contrast, double girder Goliath cranes are the powerhouses of the industry. They feature two parallel beams, which allow the hoist and trolley to be mounted on top, providing superior stability, wider spans, and massive load capacities that can range from 75 tons to over 1,000 tons. These larger units are essential in shipyards, where they lift and manoeuvre entire prefabricated ship blocks, or in bridge construction, where they handle immense concrete or steel beams.
The versatility of the Goliath crane
This variation is supported by a vertical leg on one side that runs on a floor-mounted rail, while the other side is supported by an elevated rail attached to a building structure. This hybrid design allows facilities with structural limitations or limited floor space to maximise their operational area. Additionally, many Goliath cranes feature cantilevers—sections of the girder that overhang the rail system—allowing the crane to reach and service areas outside of the primary span, such as loading docks or roadside bays.
In operation, precision is paramount. Modern Goliath cranes are typically controlled via radio remote control, allowing the operator to manoeuvre the enormous machine from a safe vantage point near the load. They are equipped with advanced safety features, including anti-collision systems, load limiters, and sophisticated drive systems, which ensure smooth and controlled movement, minimising the risk associated with handling multi-ton objects. Given their frequent use in harsh outdoor environments like ports and steel yards, their structural components are constructed from high-tensile steel with corrosion-resistant coatings to withstand extreme weather conditions, salt air, and heavy use.
In summary, the Goliath crane is much more than a simple lifting mechanism; it is a critical piece of global infrastructure. Its self-supporting design and high capacity make it an indispensable tool for heavy-duty lifting across expansive workspaces. By offering structural independence and the capability to handle loads far exceeding those of conventional cranes, the Goliath crane continues to be the foundation for large-scale manufacturing, logistics, and construction projects worldwide, literally building the physical reality of the modern industrial age.