Product Introduction

An electric RTG crane system is a type of rubber-tyred gantry crane system powered by electricity instead of diesel. It is widely used in terminal handling equipment applications, especially for container stacking and yard transportation. Compared with traditional models, electric rubber tyred gantry crane systems offer cleaner energy usage, lower maintenance costs, and higher operational efficiency in modern ports.

type

Parts

Specification

To meet the operational requirements of different container terminals and intermodal facilities, Electric RTG Cranes are commonly available in two structural configurations: Single Girder Electric RTG Cranes and Double Girder Electric RTG Cranes. The single-girder design emphasizes lightweight construction and cost efficiency for medium-duty applications, while the double-girder design offers greater strength, stability, and handling capacity for high-volume container operations.

Single Girder Electric RTG Crane

The Single Girder Electric RTG Crane features a lightweight single-girder structure that reduces overall crane weight and wheel loads while maintaining efficient container handling performance. Its compact design lowers foundation requirements and investment costs, making it well suited for inland intermodal terminals, logistics centers, and medium-sized container yards with moderate throughput demands.

• Lifting Capacity: 30–40 t
• Span: 18–25 m
• Lifting Height: 12–18 m
• Duty Classification: A6–A7

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Double Girder Electric RTG Crane

The Double Girder Electric RTG Crane adopts a dual-girder structure that provides higher rigidity, stability, and load-bearing capacity for intensive container handling operations. Designed for large container terminals and high-throughput intermodal yards, it supports continuous heavy-duty operation and higher stacking efficiency while accommodating advanced automation systems.

• Lifting Capacity: 40–65 t
• Span: 23.5–31 m
• Lifting Height: 18–24 m
• Duty Classification: A7–A8

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Parts

Electric RTG cranes are the electric-powered upgrade of traditional rubber-tyred gantry cranes. The crane is mainly composed of five core systems, each responsible for a specific function to support safe and efficient container handling operations. The main components and their functions are outlined below.

• Metal Structure: The metal structure is the main load-bearing framework of an electric RTG crane, consisting of the gantry frame, beams, and legs. It supports all operational loads during lifting and travel. Some models feature foldable structures to reduce occupied space when not in use.
• Hoisting Mechanism: The hoisting mechanism handles the vertical lifting and lowering of containers. It consists of motors, reducers, brakes, drums, pulley blocks, and spreaders, providing stable and precise lifting control for container stacking operations.
• Traveling Mechanism: The traveling mechanism includes the gantry travel system and trolley travel system. The gantry system enables yard movement and transfer between working areas, while the trolley system moves the spreader horizontally along the beam for accurate container positioning.
• Power Supply and Electrical Control System: The power supply and electrical control system use grid power through conductor rails or cable reels. A PLC and variable-frequency drive (VFD) system controls crane operations and coordinates all mechanisms, while energy recovery functions help reduce overall power consumption.
• Safety Protection System: The safety protection system includes overload protection, lifting limit switches, anti-collision devices, wind protection systems, and electrical safeguards. It continuously monitors operating conditions and activates protective measures when abnormal situations occur. Some models also support remote safety monitoring and fault diagnostics.

The coordinated operation of the metal structure, hoisting mechanism, traveling mechanism, electrical control system, and safety protection system enables electric RTG cranes to perform container handling tasks safely and efficiently, meeting the requirements of modern ports for reliability, flexibility, and continuous operation.

Electric RTG cranes are specialized lifting equipment designed for container yard operations in ports. Their performance, power supply, structure, and control systems are designed to meet high-intensity and continuous operation requirements. The following table presents the main technical parameters in terms of core performance, power supply and drive, structural dimensions, and operating control, for engineering selection and project planning.

Specification

The following are the detailed specifications of the equipment

Category	Parameter	Specification / Description
Lifting Performance	Rated Lifting Capacity	40–45 tons for single container handling; up to 65 tons for twin 20ft container lifting
Lifting Performance	Stacking Level	Standard 1-over-5 to 1-over-6; optional 1-over-6 to 1-over-7
Lifting Performance	Container Rows Coverage	Standard 6+1 configuration; optional 7+1 configuration
Lifting Performance	Operating Cycle Rate	Up to 60 cycles/hour under standard operating conditions
Span	Crane Span	23.5–31 m, depending on yard layout and stacking requirements
Lifting Height	Maximum Lifting Height	18–21 m (1-over-5/6); up to 24 m (1-over-6/7)
Working Environment	Ambient Temperature	-25°C to +40°C; optional customization for extreme climates
Travel Performance	Gantry Travel Speed	90–140 m/min
Travel Performance	Trolley Travel Speed	70–90 m/min
Travel Performance	Hoisting Speed	20–45 m/min, depending on load conditions
Steering System	Steering Modes	Straight travel, crab steering, pivot steering, Ackermann steering, optional 360° rotation
Power Supply – Cable Reel System	Cable Length	Up to 200 m
Power Supply – Cable Reel System	Reel Diameter	5–6 m
Power Supply – Cable Reel System	Travel Speed	Up to 140 m/min
Power Supply – Cable Reel System	Acceleration	Up to 0.25 m/s²
Power Supply – Cable Reel System	Installation Height	5–8 m
Power Supply – Overhead Conductor Rail	Power Method	Continuous power supply through conductor rail and collector system
Power Supply – Overhead Conductor Rail	Operating Range	Unlimited travel distance within conductor rail coverage
Power Supply – Overhead Conductor Rail	Typical Application	Fixed RTG travel lanes and automated container yards
Drive System	Control System	Common DC bus system with vector control for hoisting, trolley, and gantry travel
Drive System	Energy Recovery	Regenerative braking energy reused within the system or dissipated through braking resistors
Spreader System	Container Compatibility	20ft, 40ft, and 45ft ISO containers
Spreader System	Spreader Type	Hydraulic telescopic spreader with automatic twistlock system
Spreader System	Rotation Angle	Up to ±180°; optional continuous 360° rotation
Hybrid & Electric System	Hybrid Mode	Diesel generator + lithium battery with energy recovery technology
Hybrid & Electric System	Fuel Saving	Typically reduces fuel consumption by 30–60% compared with conventional diesel RTGs
Hybrid & Electric System	Pure Electric Mode	Lithium battery + grid power, enabling zero-diesel operation
Hybrid & Electric System	Battery Capacity	150–600 kWh, depending on operating requirements
Hybrid & Electric System	Charging Method	Plug-in charging, automatic charging station, or opportunity charging
Safety System	Protection Functions	Anti-collision protection, overload protection, wind monitoring, skew correction, emergency stop
Safety System	Wind Resistance	Designed according to local wind load standards; optional storm anchoring system
Automation System	Automation Level	Manual, remote-controlled, semi-automated, or fully automated
Automation System	Positioning System	GPS, laser positioning, RFID, and vision-assisted positioning options
Protection Class	Electrical Protection Rating	IP54–IP65 depending on operating environment
Structure	Main Structure Material	Q355B high-strength structural steel
Structure	Design Service Life	20–30 years under normal operating conditions

All specifications can be customized to meet specific operational requirements. With extensive experience in container handling equipment, WEIHUA can provide tailored solutions based on yard layout, throughput demands, container stacking requirements, power supply conditions, and automation levels to maximize operational efficiency and long-term value.

Key Features of Electric RTG Cranes

Electric RTG (electric rubber tyred gantry crane) is a green upgrade of traditional diesel RTG, featuring mobility, energy saving, environmental protection, and intelligence.

1. Energy saving and environmental protection, low consumption
   Compared with traditional diesel RTG, electric RTG reduces energy consumption by about 40%, decreases exhaust and waste oil emissions, and fully electric models can achieve zero emissions while reducing noise. Electric drive reduces fuel dependence and maintenance workload, resulting in lower overall operating cost.
2. Flexible mobility, strong adaptability
   Electric RTG has rail-free mobility and supports multiple modes, including straight travel, lateral movement, on-site rotation, and diagonal movement. Cross-yard transfer efficiency is 2–3 times higher than RMG. No rails are needed, foundation requirements are low, and it can adapt to different port yard layouts.
3. High operation efficiency, mature intelligence
   Electric RTG is equipped with DGPS positioning, an anti-sway system, and automatic steering technology, improving positioning accuracy and operation efficiency. It supports remote operation and automated work, with a rated lifting capacity of 40–45 tons and a stacking height up to 5–6 layers.
4. Multiple technical options, adaptable to different scenarios
   Electric RTG offers diesel-to-electric conversion, hybrid, and full electric solutions. Hybrid schemes save about 25% fuel, while full electric schemes support zero emission operation, meeting the needs of both retrofitted yards and new green port projects.
5. Significant economic cost advantage
   Compared with RMG, electric RTG does not require rail installation, reducing infrastructure cost by about 40%. Equipment standardization is high, investment is more flexible, suitable for small and medium ports and phased construction projects.

Electric RTG shows balanced performance in energy saving, mobility, intelligent operation, and cost control, suitable for various port and yard scenarios. As ports upgrade toward green and intelligent operations, electric RTG is gradually becoming an important alternative to traditional diesel RTG and rail-mounted gantry cranes.

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Advantages vs Diesel RTG

Compared with diesel RTG, electric RTG cranes show clear differences in emissions, cost, efficiency, and maintenance performance.

Overall, electric RTG cranes offer lower operating costs and emissions while maintaining high mobility and better compatibility with modern terminal automation systems.

Automation & Smart Port Compatibility

Automated electric RTG cranes are used in smart port projects with automation functions and compatibility with terminal systems. They support semi-automatic to fully unmanned operation for both new and upgraded container yards.

1. Automated Electric RTG Compatibility

Next-generation automated electric RTG cranes are equipped with L4-level control systems, integrating anti-sway, multi-wheel drive, and high-precision positioning. They adapt to different spans, lifting heights, and yard layouts, covering both existing yard upgrades and new smart yards, and support automated handling with human-machine collaboration.

2. Integration with Terminal Management System (TOS)

Automated electric RTG cranes can connect to terminal operating systems to perform automatic stacking, path planning, and collision avoidance. Data-driven management via a unified dispatch platform improves yard efficiency and reduces vessel waiting times.

3. Remote Monitoring Support

Automated electric RTG cranes support remote monitoring, collecting real-time operation data, equipment status, and fault information for remote diagnostics and alerts. Integrated power, communication, and positioning systems reduce maintenance costs and improve operational efficiency.

4. Semi-Automatic Operation Options

Automated electric RTG cranes allow switching between fully automatic and semi-automatic modes. They enable unmanned operation while retaining manual intervention for key steps, adapting to different stages of automation upgrade.

With stable system integration and flexible operation modes, automated electric RTG cranes support terminals in upgrading toward higher automation levels, improving efficiency and system compatibility in staged implementation.

Safety & Operational Notes

Electric RTG cranes are designed in accordance with GB/T 3811 Crane Design Standard and GB/T 20008 Safety Regulations for Lifting Equipment.

• Overload protection: Alarm at 90% rated load; automatic cut-off at 100–110%
• Limit protection: Upper and lower travel limits prevent mechanical overrun and maintain wire rope safety
• Wind protection system: Wheel chocks, rail clamps, and wind speed monitoring; automatic lock under high wind conditions
• Electrical protection: Short circuit, overcurrent, overvoltage, undervoltage, and phase loss protection systems
• Anti-collision system: Laser-based detection with automatic deceleration in multi-crane operation areas

Electric RTG cranes, with their lifting capacity, yard adaptability, energy efficiency, and intelligent operation, combined with comprehensive safety measures, meet the requirements of modern port yard operations. They support different technical routes and power solutions, providing reliable performance for green, flexible, and efficient port operations.

Optional Configurations

Electric RTG cranes can be configured with different options based on terminal layout and operation requirements:

• Power supply systems: cable reel, busbar, or hybrid power solutions
• Spreader types: single container or twin-lift spreaders for different handling needs（Type: RTG Crane Spreader/Straddle Carrier Spreader）
• Anti-sway system: mechanical or electronic control for load stability during operation
• Control modes: cabin control, remote control, or semi-automatic operation
• Automation packages: optional upgrade for automated positioning and yard coordination

These configurations allow electric RTG cranes to adapt to different container yard environments and project requirements.

Custom Electric RTG Crane

We offer a full range of customized RTG Cranes for Container Handling solutions, including Intermodal RTG Crane, RTG container crane. The following is custom options:

• Load capacity customization (35t-300t)
• Span, stacking height, and lane configuration customization
• Power options: Diesel / Hybrid / All-electric / Automated
• Tire count and steering mode(RTG crane tires are classified as pneumatic and solid.)
• Intelligent and automated configurations
• Design tailored for diverse operating conditions in ports, railways, and factories

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Electric RTG Cranes Manufacturer and Supplier

The stability and flexible configuration of electric RTG cranes enable modern terminals to develop efficient, intelligent container yard operations, while offering various levels of automation and power solutions.

WEIHUA is a professional manufacturer and custom solutions provider of electric RTG cranes, with strong engineering capability, mature production system, and experience in delivering tailored crane solutions for port and logistics projects worldwide.

For project consultation, technical solutions, or customized requirements, please feel free to contact us.

After-Sales Service

Weihua, founded in 1988, has evolved into a global leader in China's intelligent manufacturing field. We specialize in smart crane R&D and production while offering AGV solutions. Our professional engineering, delivery, and after-sales teams provide one-stop technical support, customized solutions, on-site installation guidance, and rapid-response global services to ensure every project operates safely and efficiently.

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