What are the main types of EOT cranes?

The two primary types of EOT (Electric Overhead Traveling) cranes categorized by bridge structure are Single Girder EOT Cranes and Double Girder EOT Cranes.

What is the difference between single girder and double girder EOT cranes?

A Single Girder EOT crane features one main bridge beam and is cost-effective for light to medium duty. A Double Girder EOT crane has two main bridge beams, providing higher lifting capacity, higher hook height, and is ideal for heavy-duty industrial applications.

What is the difference between top-running and under-running EOT cranes?

Top-running EOT cranes travel on rails installed on top of the runway beams, offering maximum lifting capacity. Under-running (underhung) cranes are suspended from the bottom flange of the runway beams, maximizing floor space and headroom.

How Many Types Of EOT Crane Are There? Complete Classification GuideHow Many Types Of EOT Crane Are There?

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Introduction

How Many Types Of EOT Crane Are There? This is one of the most common questions asked by buyers and plant managers when selecting an overhead lifting system. EOT cranes are generally classified into several main categories based on their structural design and installation method, including single girder, double girder, underslung, and various special-purpose cranes.

EOT cranes are widely used in factories, warehouses, steel plants, and many other heavy-duty production environments. In industrial facilities, they play a critical role in daily material handling, allowing heavy loads to be moved safely and efficiently across fixed workshop spans. This article will explore exactly how many types of overhead cranes are used in actual production and how they differ in real-world industrial applications.

What Is an EOT Crane?

EOT Crane is the abbreviation of Electric Overhead Traveling Crane, commonly referred to in Chinese as an electric overhead crane or bridge crane. It is a lifting equipment installed on the overhead runway system of a factory or workshop, used for lifting and horizontal handling of heavy or bulk materials.

The operating mode is that the bridge travels longitudinally along the runway rails on both sides of the workshop, the trolley moves transversely along the main girder, and the hoisting mechanism performs vertical lifting, completing material handling within the working area through three-directional movement.

How Many Types Of EOT Crane Are There?

How Many Types Of EOT Crane Are There? The answer depends on lifting requirements, workshop structure, and operating conditions. Different industries require different crane configurations to achieve the required load capacity, lifting height, span, and duty cycle. WEIHUA manufactures a wide range of EOT cranes, including single girder, double girder, underslung, and application-specific designs, with customization available for various working environments. The following sections introduce the main types of EOT cranes and their typical applications.

Single Girder EOT Crane

A single girder EOT crane is the most basic type of overhead crane, using a single box girder or I-beam as the main beam. It has a lightweight structure, low self-weight, economical cost, and is easy to install and maintain. It is mainly used in applications with a small lifting capacity and low working intensity. It is a common piece of equipment for light material handling in workshops, warehouses, small and medium-sized processing plants, and assembly lines.

Capacidade de elevação: 1–20 toneladas
Span: 5–30 meters
Lifting height: 3–20 meters
Working duty: A3–A5

Double Girder EOT Crane

Double Girder EOT Crane is composed of two box-type or truss-type main girders. It has a strong structure, high rigidity, stable operation, and high safety redundancy. Its core feature is an extremely large load capacity, designed for heavy material handling. It is widely used in metallurgy, heavy machinery manufacturing, power plants, large-scale warehousing logistics, and equipment installation industries.

Lifting capacity: 5–550+ tons
Span: 18–50+ meters
Lifting height: up to 30+ meters (customizable)
Working duty: A5–A7

Underslung EOT Crane (Suspension Crane)

Underslung EOT Crane, the runway is installed under the roof structure or supporting frame of the workshop, and the trolley and hoisting mechanism run suspended below the rail flange. Its main feature is full utilization of workshop headroom without requiring tall runway columns. It has a compact structure and low building requirements. It is especially suitable for assembly lines, packaging areas, warehouse passages, and light material handling environments with strict space and clearance limitations.

Lifting capacity: 0.5–10 tons
Span: ≤30 meters
Lifting height: customized based on requirements
Working duty: A3–A5

Workstation Bridge Crane

This is a modular and lightweight crane system, usually using aluminum alloy or light steel main beams, operated manually or electrically. It features high flexibility, precise positioning, light self-weight, and easy assembly and expansion. It is designed for frequent and precise lifting at the workstation level. It is commonly used in laboratories, R&D centers, precision instrument assembly, light manufacturing units, and maintenance workshops.

Lifting capacity: 0.25–2 tons
Span: 3–15 meters
Lifting speed: slow and adjustable for precise positioning
Working duty: A2–A4

Top Running Overhead Crane

This is the most classic and universal form of EOT crane. The runway is installed on top of the workshop columns or dedicated runway beams. It features wide coverage, good running stability, and adaptability to all tonnage ranges from light to heavy. It is the main equipment for full-range material handling in industrial workshops.

Lifting capacity: 1 ton to several hundred tons
Span: 10–40 meters
Travel speed: 20–100 m/min
Working duty: A3–A8

European-Style EOT Crane

A European-style EOT crane is an overhead lifting system designed according to European FEM and DIN standards. It uses a low-headroom hoist, compact end carriage, and lightweight girder structure to handle materials within industrial buildings. The crane is installed on runway beams and operates through coordinated bridge, trolley, and hoist movement.

Capacidade de elevação: 1–20 toneladas
Span: 7–32 meters
Altura de elevação: 6–18 metros
Working duty: A4–A6

Explosion-Proof Crane

Explosion-Proof Crane: all electrical components (motors, control cabinets, junction boxes, etc.) and mechanical parts (such as brake friction surfaces) are specially designed for explosion protection to prevent sparks, arcs, or high-temperature surfaces that may ignite explosive mixtures. It is used in hazardous environments with flammable gases, vapors, or dust, such as chemical plants, refineries, coal mines, paint workshops, and grain processing plants.

Lifting capacity: 5–100 tons
Explosion protection rating: certified (e.g., Ex d IIC T4)
Protection level: IP55 or higher
Operating speed: limited for safety

EOT Crane Types Comparison Table

The table below provides a clear comparison of the main types of EOT cranes. The comparison includes lifting capacity ranges, cost levels, and advantages.

Tipo	Capacidade	Cost	Advantage
Single Girder EOT Crane	1–20 tons	Baixo	Lightweight structure, low investment cost, simple installation, and convenient maintenance.
Double Girder EOT Crane	5–550+ tons	Alto	High load capacity, greater lifting height, stable operation, and suitability for heavy-duty service.
Underslung EOT Crane	0.5–10 tons	Médio	Suspended runway design maximizes available space and reduces building structure requirements.
Workstation Bridge Crane	0.25–2 tons	Medium-Low	Modular design, precise load positioning, flexible layout, and easy system expansion.
Top Running Overhead Crane	1–300+ tons	Medium to High	Full runway coverage, high adaptability, and compatibility with a wide range of lifting capacities.
European-Style EOT Crane	1–20 tons	Médio	Compact structure, low headroom design, reduced wheel loads, smooth operation, and efficient use of building space.
Explosion-Proof Crane	5–100 tons	Alto	Explosion-proof electrical and mechanical components reduce ignition risks in hazardous environments.

EOT cranes come in a variety of configurations tailored to specific applications, each designed for different lifting capacities, operating conditions, and operational requirements. Understanding the features of these cranes can help factories identify the most suitable solution.

EOT cranes come in a variety of configurations tailored to specific applications, each designed for different lifting capacities and operational requirements.

Popular Capacities: Ponte rolante de 5 toneladas, Ponte rolante de 10 toneladas
Application Solutions: Ponte Rolante Industrial EOT, Ponte rolante de fábrica

Understanding the features of these different categories can help factories identify the most cost-effective and suitable solution.

Applications of Different EOT Crane Types

Different types of EOT cranes are designed for different working environments and material handling tasks. Factors such as load capacity, available headroom, production layout, and operating frequency often determine which crane configuration is selected. The following sections outline the applications of each EOT crane type and the industries where they are commonly used.