Rubber Tyred Gantry Crane (RTG): Models, Power Options & Applications
Intro (short, intent-rich):
Rubber tyred gantry cranes (RTG cranes) deliver high lifting capacity with road-friendly mobility—no rails required. From precast yards and steel mills to container yards, SLKJCrane designs and manufactures industrial RTGs and container RTGs with single-beam, double-beam, and A-frame structures, plus electric and hybrid power options, anti-sway, automatic steering, and remote operation for safer, faster handling.
Related reading: RMG vs RTG—Which one fits your yard?
👉 https://www.slkjcrane.com/rmg-crane-vs-rtg-crane/
What Is an RTG Crane & When to Choose It
An RTG (rubber-tyred gantry crane) is a self-propelled gantry crane on pneumatic tyres. It moves freely across paved yards, work bays, and access roads—ideal when:
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Site layout changes frequently or multiple work zones need to be serviced
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Rail civil works are impractical or too costly
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Loads must be transferred between production cells and outdoor storage
Need hoisting components? See our Electric Winch options for RTG and gantry configurations:
👉 https://www.slkjcrane.com/small-handling-equipment/electric-winch/
RTG Families at a Glance
| Solution | Best For | Typical Capacity/Layout* | Infrastructure | Opex & Emissions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial MGH | Precast concrete, steel coils, wind components, bridge segments | 30–300 t; span 5–40 m; lift height 6–18 m | No rails; flexible lanes | Diesel / electric / hybrid | Cross-zone lifting; wide load shapes |
| Container RTG (Yard RTG) | Port/rail container yards | 1-over-5/6 high; up to 6–8 rows | Optional electrification | Automation options | Anti-sway, auto steering & alignment |
| Straddle Carrier (Alternative) | Fast horizontal moves of containers | Single or twin-lift | No rails | Diesel/electric | Complements RTG; different workflow |
MGH Gantry Crane
Typical pains solved: heavy, bulky, or long loads (precast girders, steel coils, molds, wind blades) where forklifts or trucks struggle with stability and aisle width.
Structure: Available in single-beam, double-beam, and A-frame portals with custom spans and clearances.
Key advantages:
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Flexibility: No rails; reach multiple work zones with one machine
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Efficiency: Anti-sway + precise inching for accurate set-down
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Road-friendly: Tyre load management and steering modes for tight yards
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Electrification options: Cable reel or conductor bar (ERTG), hybrid packs, or VSG-type gensets
Common options: coil C-hooks, spreader beams, rotating hooks, slab/grab attachments, magnet beams, wind-area reinforcement, corrosion protection.
Single Beam Rubber Tyred Gantry Crane
When to choose: medium capacities with strong cost-efficiency; great for precast yards, fabrication shops, maintenance depots.
Highlights:
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Lower self-weight, simpler installation
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Excellent for repetitive picks along production lines
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Add anti-sway and wireless remote to reduce cycle time
Double Beam Rubber Tyred Gantry Crane
When to choose: higher capacities or long/heavy components where stiffness and load distribution matter (e.g., steel coils, bridge segments, heavy molds).
Highlights:
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Higher rigidity → reduced deflection and sway
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Wider spans with better trolley stability
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Pairs well with specialized below-the-hook gear (coil grabs, spreaders)
A Frame Rubber Tyred Gantry Crane
When to choose: mid-to-large tonnage with higher stability demands or windy yards.
Highlights:
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A-frame legs increase portal stability
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Good compromise between weight and stiffness
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Popular for bridge/infra yards and outdoor assembly lines
RTG Container Crane (Yard RTG)
Purpose-built for container yards with stacking height (e.g., 1-over-5/6) and row coverage (often 6–8).
Highlights:
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Anti-sway & auto alignment reduce driver workload and collisions
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Auto steering and path control improve yard throughput
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Optional remote operation and telemetry for utilization analytics
Comparing rail-mounted gantry (RMG) vs RTG for your terminal?
👉 https://www.slkjcrane.com/rmg-crane-vs-rtg-crane/
Straddle Carrier (RTG Alternative)
A straddle carrier is not a gantry crane but a self-propelled container handler that straddles the load for quick horizontal moves and short-distance stacking. Choose SC when speed and lane agility outweigh vertical lifting flexibility. Many terminals run SC + RTG hybrids to balance horizontal flow and stacking density.
Power Systems & Retrofits (Diesel, Electric, Hybrid)
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Diesel: lowest infrastructure demand; quick deployment.
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ERTG (Electric RTG): cable reel or conductor bar systems—lower energy cost, lower local emissions, quieter.
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Hybrid (battery/super-capacitor): recovers energy and downsizes gensets for fuel and noise reduction.
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VSG-style gensets: variable-speed operation reduces off-load consumption.
Retrofit path: existing diesel RTGs can be upgraded to hybrid or full-electric where yard power is available; our team provides ROI modeling (hours/year, energy price, duty cycle, idling ratio) to estimate payback.
Core Safety & Productivity Features
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Active anti-sway & precise inching for faster, safer set-down
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Automatic steering & lane control to protect tyres and pavement
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Remote operation & camera packages to enhance visibility and uptime
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Predictive diagnostics to reduce unplanned downtime
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Low-noise drives and advanced braking for city/industrial parks
Explore hoisting solutions and components:
👉 https://www.slkjcrane.com/electric-hoist/
Industry Applications & Mini Case Snapshots
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Precast & Infrastructure: move girders and segments between casting beds, curing yards, and loading bays with fewer escorts.
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Steel & Metals: handle coils, billets, slabs with dedicated grabs and magnet beams.
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Wind & Energy: transport nacelles, hubs, and blades with controlled cornering.
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Container & Rail Yards: stack efficiently with anti-sway and auto alignment; consider ERTG for energy savings.
Quick Selection Checklist (use in your RFQ form)
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Max load (t) and typical load (t)
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Span (m), clear height (m), and hook travel (m)
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Load type & dimensions (coil, girder, mold, container, etc.)
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Yard lanes, turning radius, ground bearing limits
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Duty class (hours/day, picks/hour), wind/corrosion environment
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Power preference: diesel / electric (cable reel or conductor bar) / hybrid
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Automation: anti-sway, auto steering, remote operation, telemetry
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Required delivery time and on-site services (install, training)
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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Rubber Tyred Gantry Crane (RTG): Industrial & Container | SLKJCrane
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