Gantry Crane Price Guide 2026: Cost by Tonnage & Configuration

Table of Contents

  1. Why a Gantry Crane Price Guide?

  2. Key Factors That Affect Gantry Crane Price

  3. Gantry Crane Price Table (1 – 100 tons)

  4. Detailed Price Breakdown by Tonnage

  5. Single Girder vs Double Girder – Price Difference

  6. Portable vs Rail‑Mounted vs Rubber‑Tired – Cost Comparison

  7. Extra Costs You Should Know About

  8. How to Get an Accurate Quote

  9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  10. Ready to Buy? Contact SLKJCrane

1. Why a Gantry Crane Price Guide?

If you are searching for “gantry crane price”, you already know one thing: you need a crane. What you probably don’t know is what a fair price looks like for your specific capacity, span, and working conditions.

Here is the honest truth. Gantry cranes are not like buying a forklift or a pallet jack. Prices vary widely because every crane is built to order. A 5‑ton portable crane costs very different from a 50‑ton rail‑mounted unit.

This guide gives you realistic price ranges for gantry cranes from 1 ton up to 100 tons. You will also learn why prices differ, what add‑ons cost extra, and how to avoid overpaying.

All prices in this guide are estimates for standard electric gantry cranes. They include the crane structure, hoist, and basic controls – but not shipping, installation, or custom features. Use them as a starting point.

Let us start with what makes a gantry crane price go up or down.

2. Key Factors That Affect Gantry Crane Price

Manufacturers calculate price based on several factors. Understanding these helps you compare quotes and avoid surprises.

2.1 Lifting Capacity (Tonnage)

The single biggest factor. A 1‑ton gantry crane uses much less steel and a smaller hoist than a 20‑ton crane. As capacity doubles, price typically increases by 40‑60%, not 100% – because the structure becomes heavier but not proportionally more complex.

From 1 ton to 10 tons, price growth is gradual. From 10 tons to 30 tons, it gets steeper. Above 30 tons, prices climb quickly because reinforced beams, larger wheels, and heavier rail requirements add cost.

2.2 Span (Distance Between Legs)

Span is the width the crane covers. A 5‑ton crane with a 6‑meter span is cheaper than the same crane with a 20‑meter span. Longer spans require heavier girders to prevent sagging. Every extra meter of span adds steel and engineering cost.

2.3 Lifting Height

Higher lifting height means longer wire rope, taller legs, and sometimes a stronger hoist drum. Adding 2‑3 meters of height usually adds 5‑10% to the base price.

2.4 Structural Design – Single Girder vs Double Girder

A single girder crane has one main beam. It is lighter, simpler, and cheaper – typically 30‑50% less than a double girder of the same capacity.

A double girder crane has two beams. It costs more but offers higher lifting height, better stability for heavy loads, and the ability to handle frequent duty cycles. For capacities over 20 tons, double girder is not just better – it is often the only practical choice.

single girder gantry crane
double girder gantry crane
double girder gantry crane

2.5 Mobility Type (Portable, Rail‑Mounted, Rubber‑Tired)

  • Portable gantry crane – On casters or wheels. Movable by hand. Lowest cost, but limited to light loads (usually under 5 tons).

  • Rail‑mounted gantry crane (RMG) – Runs on fixed steel rails. Higher precision and stability. Cost includes rails and foundation work.

  • Rubber‑tired gantry crane (RTG) – On large rubber tires, self‑propelled. Most expensive among standard types, but very flexible for outdoor yards.

Rubber Tyred Gantry(RTG) Crane Training Price in South Africa
Rail Mounted Gantry Crane (RMG) manufacturer | custom gantry crane
Rail Mounted Gantry Crane (RMG) manufacturer | custom gantry crane
Portable Gantry Cranes with hoist
Portable Gantry Cranes with hoist

2.6 Duty Cycle (How Often You Use It)

Cranes are rated for different workloads. A crane for occasional use (CMAA Class A or B) is cheaper than one for continuous use (CMAA Class D, E, or F). The difference can be 20‑40% for the same tonnage because heavy‑duty components cost more.

2.7 Control System

  • Pendant control (wired) – standard, lowest cost.

  • Radio remote control – adds 500‑2,000 depending on range and features.

  • Cabin control – most expensive, adds 3,000‑10,000 depending on comfort and ergonomics.

2.8 Power Supply Options

  • Cable reel – standard for rail‑mounted cranes.

  • Busbar (conductor bar) – common for long‑distance travel.

  • Battery‑powered – for portable or rubber‑tired units. Adds cost but increases mobility.

2.9 Special Features

  • Anti‑sway system – reduces load swinging. Adds 1,000‑5,000.

  • Variable frequency drive (VFD) – smooth starts and stops. Adds 2,000‑8,000.

  • Overload limiter – usually standard, but advanced versions add cost.

  • Corrosion‑resistant coating – for marine or chemical environments. Adds 10‑15%.

  • Heat‑resistant components – for steel mills or foundries. Adds 15‑30%.

2.10 Brand and Manufacturer

Established manufacturers with local service networks charge more than unknown brands. You pay for engineering, certification (ASME, FEM, ISO), and after‑sales support. A crane from a no‑name supplier might be 30% cheaper, but replacement parts could take months.

Now let us look at actual price ranges.

3. Gantry Crane Price Table (1 – 100 tons)

The table below shows estimated price ranges for standard single girder gantry cranes (up to 20 tons) and double girder gantry cranes (20 tons and above). Prices are in USD.

 
 
CapacityTypical SpanPrice Range (USD)Typical Applications
1 ton3 – 8 m2,500–5,000Small workshops, garage, maintenance
2 – 3 tons4 – 10 m4,000–8,000Fabrication shops, machine repair
5 tons6 – 15 m7,000–15,000Small factories, warehouses, light assembly
10 tons8 – 20 m12,000–25,000Medium workshops, metal fabrication
15 – 16 tons10 – 25 m18,000–35,000Machinery manufacturing, steel service centers
20 tons12 – 30 m25,000–45,000Heavy fabrication, precast concrete yards
30 tons (double girder)15 – 35 m40,000–70,000Steel mills, shipyard component handling
50 tons (double girder)18 – 40 m65,000–120,000Heavy steel processing, port auxiliary
75 – 100 tons (double girder)20 – 50 m100,000–200,000+Large shipyard sections, heavy equipment assembly

Important: These are base equipment prices – crane structure, hoist, standard pendant control, and basic safety devices. They do not include shipping, customs, installation, or site preparation. For rail‑mounted types, the rails and foundation are additional. For rubber‑tired types, expect a premium of 20‑50% above rail‑mounted prices.

Now let us go through each tonnage range in more detail.

4. Detailed Price Breakdown by Tonnage

1 – 2 Ton Gantry Crane

These are usually portable or adjustable models. Light steel or aluminium construction. Casters for easy movement. Height and span often adjustable.

Price range: 2,500–5,000

Who buys them: Small repair shops, garages, HVAC installers, hobbyists.

Typical features: Manual trolley, chain hoist (or small electric hoist for an extra 500‑1,000). No foundation needed.

Example: A 1‑ton portable aluminium gantry crane with a manual chain hoist costs around 2,800.Addanelectrichoistandyouarecloserto3,800.

5 Ton Gantry Crane

This is the most popular size for small‑to‑medium businesses. Most buyers choose single girder with an electric wire rope hoist. Either portable (on casters) or fixed on light rails.

Price range: 7,000–15,000

Span: Usually 6‑15 meters.

Who buys them: Fabrication shops, machine shops, small warehouses, light assembly lines.

Typical extra costs: Radio remote control (800‑1,500), variable frequency drive for smooth operation (2,000‑3,000).

Example: A basic 5‑ton single girder gantry crane with a 10‑meter span, pendant control, and standard hoist costs about 10,000.AddaVFDandremotecontrol–around14,000.

10 Ton Gantry Crane

Still in the single girder range for most applications, but the steel structure becomes heavier. Spans up to 20 meters are common.

Price range: 12,000–25,000

Who buys them: Medium‑sized fabrication shops, metal service centers, precast concrete yards.

Typical features: Larger hoist motor, heavier end trucks, reinforced beams.

Example: A 10‑ton gantry crane with 15‑meter span, electric hoist, and pendant control – approximately 18,000.Betterbrakingsystemsaddaround2,000.

16 – 20 Ton Gantry Crane

At 20 tons, you are at the limit of practical single girder design. Many buyers step up to double girder for better stability and lifting height.

Price range: 18,000–45,000

Who buys them: Heavy fabrication, machinery manufacturing, large precast yards.

Key decision point: If your lifting height is critical or you run the crane more than 4 hours a day, choose double girder. It adds 8,000‑15,000 but saves you from underbuying.

30 – 50 Ton Gantry Crane

Now we are firmly in double girder territory. These cranes are heavy, require rail mounting in most cases, and need a proper foundation.

Price range (30 tons): 40,000–70,000
Price range (50 tons): 65,000–120,000

Who buys them: Steel mills, heavy equipment manufacturers, large shipyard component yards.

Typical features: Dual trolley options, anti‑sway systems (add 3,000‑8,000), cabin control (add 5,000‑10,000).

Example: A 50‑ton double girder gantry crane with 30‑meter span, radio remote, anti‑sway, and rail kit – roughly 95,000–110,000 plus shipping.

30 – 50 Ton Gantry Crane

Now we are firmly in double girder territory. These cranes are heavy, require rail mounting in most cases, and need a proper foundation.

Price range (30 tons): 40,000–70,000
Price range (50 tons): 65,000–120,000

Who buys them: Steel mills, heavy equipment manufacturers, large shipyard component yards.

Typical features: Dual trolley options, anti‑sway systems (add 3,000‑8,000), cabin control (add 5,000‑10,000).

Example: A 50‑ton double girder gantry crane with 30‑meter span, radio remote, anti‑sway, and rail kit – roughly 95,000–110,000 plus shipping.

75 – 100+ Ton Gantry Crane

Fully custom engineering. These are used in large shipyards, heavy steel processing, and port operations.

Price range: 100,000–200,000+ (can go much higher for 200+ ton special designs)

Who buys them: Shipyards, port terminals, large steel mills.

What you get: Very heavy girders, multiple trolleys, advanced safety systems, often custom‑designed for a specific building or dry dock.

For capacities above 100 tons, prices become highly project‑specific. Expect to invest 200,000–500,000 or more for a true heavy‑lift gantry crane.

75 – 100+ Ton Gantry Crane

Fully custom engineering. These are used in large shipyards, heavy steel processing, and port operations.

Price range: 100,000–200,000+ (can go much higher for 200+ ton special designs)

Who buys them: Shipyards, port terminals, large steel mills.

What you get: Very heavy girders, multiple trolleys, advanced safety systems, often custom‑designed for a specific building or dry dock.

For capacities above 100 tons, prices become highly project‑specific. Expect to invest 200,000–500,000 or more for a true heavy‑lift gantry crane.

5. Single Girder vs Double Girder – Price Difference

Many buyers ask: “Why pay so much more for double girder?” Let us compare a 20‑ton gantry crane with a 15‑meter span.

 
 
 Single GirderDouble Girder
Base crane price25,000–35,00038,000–55,000
Lifting heightStandard (hoist hangs under beam)Higher (trolley on top)
Stability with heavy loadsGood but more swayExcellent
Maintenance accessSimplerMore complex
Price premium+30‑50%

When should you pay the premium?

  • Your regular load is over 15 tons

  • You need every meter of lifting height

  • Your crane runs more than 8 hours per day

  • You want to add future features like dual hoists or anti‑sway

If none of those apply, single girder is probably fine.

6. Portable vs Rail‑Mounted vs Rubber‑Tired – Cost Comparison

Mobility type dramatically affects price.

 
 
TypeBest usePrice range (10‑20 ton)Extra costs
Portable (casters)Small workshops, occasional lifts8,000–20,000None – just a flat floor
Rail‑mounted (RMG)Fixed yard, precise stacking, medium to heavy duty30,000–80,000Rails + foundation (5,000‑20,000)
Rubber‑tired (RTG)Flexible outdoor yard, multiple blocks80,000–200,000Yard surface prep, tire replacement

Portable is cheapest but limited to light duty (typically under 5 tons, though some go to 10 tons).

Rail‑mounted gives the best value for permanent outdoor yards. You pay for rails once, then low operating cost.

Rubber‑tired is the most expensive to buy and to run (fuel, tires, maintenance). Only choose it if you truly need to move between different yard areas without tracks.

7. Extra Costs You Should Know About

The crane price is never the only cost. Budget for these extras.

Shipping and Freight

A gantry crane is not small. A 5‑ton unit might fit in a 20‑foot container. A 50‑ton unit requires flatbed trucks and possibly a crane to unload.

Typical shipping cost: 1,000–15,000 depending on size and destination.

Customs, Duties, and Taxes

For international buyers, import duties can add 5‑15%. Check your local rates.

Installation and Rigging

  • Portable crane – you install it. No extra cost.

  • Rail‑mounted crane – you need a contractor to lay rails and level them. Budget 5,000–20,000.

  • Large double girder crane – professional rigging crew needed (often 2‑3 days). Budget 3,000–10,000.

Foundation Work

Rail‑mounted cranes need a concrete foundation. A 30‑ton crane might require a reinforced slab. Costs vary widely – from 5,000forbasicprepto30,000 for heavy industrial foundations.

Training

Operators need basic training. If you buy a complex crane with radio remote and VFD, budget 500–2,000 for on‑site training by the manufacturer.

Spare Parts Kit

Manufacturers recommend keeping a set of wear parts: wire rope, limit switches, brake linings. Budget 500–5,000 depending on crane size.

8. How to Get an Accurate Quote

Manufacturers cannot give you a fixed price without details. To get a real quote, prepare the following information:

  1. Lifting capacity – maximum load in tons (add 10‑25% safety margin)

  2. Span – distance between the inside of the legs (meters)

  3. Lifting height – from floor to hook at highest position (meters)

  4. Indoor or outdoor – outdoor needs corrosion protection and wind brakes

  5. Duty cycle – how many hours per day / lifts per hour

  6. Power supply – voltage, phase, frequency (e.g., 380V/3ph/50Hz)

  7. Control type – pendant, radio remote, or cabin

  8. Mobility – portable, rail‑mounted, rubber‑tired, or fixed

  9. Special requirements – anti‑sway, heat protection, explosion‑proof, etc.

Send this list to 2‑3 manufacturers. Compare not only price but also delivery time, warranty, and spare parts availability.

Pro tip: The cheapest quote is rarely the best value. A crane that breaks down often will cost you more in lost production than the money you saved.

9. Ready to Buy? Contact SLKJCrane

You have seen the price ranges, the factors that affect cost, and how to prepare a quote request. Now it is time to get a real offer for your specific needs.

At SLKJCrane, we build gantry cranes for every application – portable, single girder, double girder, rail‑mounted, rubber‑tired, and custom designs. Every crane meets ASME, FEM, or ISO standards as requested.

We provide:

  • Free quote based on your tonnage, span, height, and working environment

  • Transparent pricing – no hidden fees

  • Full documentation: CAD drawings, load charts, certification

  • Worldwide shipping and installation support

👉 Contact us today – send us your load weight, span, lifting height, and any special requirements. We will reply with a detailed quote and recommend the most cost‑effective configuration for your budget.

Our Crane Product Range

SLKJcrane provides a wide range of lifting equipment solutions including:
Single Girder Overhead Crane
– Double Girder Overhead Crane
Gantry Crane
Spider Crane
Marine Crane

Our engineering team can configure safety devices and technical solutions according to project requirements.

Engineering & Cross crane-Borde!Communication Specialist

Expert in Overhead Crane/Gantry Crane/Jib Crane/Crane Parts Solutions

Eileen

With 20+ years of experience in the Crane Overseas Export Industry, helped 10,000+ customers with their pre-sales questions and concerns, if you have any related needs, please feel free to contact me!

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