What Is a Portal Crane?
Portal cranes are industrial lifting machines that travel on rails and cover wide spans. They consist of two vertical legs (portals) and a horizontal girder (bridge) connecting them. Designed to work in open areas, these cranes are indispensable for high-capacity lifting operations.
Types of Portal Cranes
Double-Girder Portal Cranes
With two parallel girders, this model offers high load capacity. It can lift up to 100 tons and is usually preferred at shipyards, steel mills and large storage yards. The double-girder design lets the trolley travel on top of the girders, maximizing lifting height.
Single-Girder Portal Cranes
Offering an economical solution for lighter loads, single-girder portal cranes are typically manufactured up to 20 tons. Installation costs are lower than double-girder models and they are often used in mid-size facilities.
Semi-Portal Cranes
Mounted on the building column or wall on one side and running on rails on the other, semi-portal cranes are the ideal solution in space-constrained facilities.
Application Areas
- Ports and terminals: Container loading/unloading, shipbuilding and repair
- Shipyards: Ship block assembly, heavy part transport
- Steel mills: Stock management for steel profiles, pipes and plates
- Power plants: Turbine installation, transformer transport
- Prefabricated facilities: Concrete element production and storage areas
Technical Features and Selection Criteria
When selecting a portal crane, evaluate lifting capacity, span, lifting height, operating speeds and resistance to climatic conditions. Wind load calculations are critical for outdoor cranes. Crane designs must comply with FEM, ISO and TS EN standards.
Maintenance and Periodic Inspection
Regular maintenance programs must be applied to ensure safe operation of portal cranes. Steel structure inspections, rail alignment measurements, electrical inspections and rope/hook checks must be performed periodically. Under applicable regulations, cranes must be inspected by accredited bodies at least once a year.