Where to Buy 20 Ton Gantry Crane – Trusted Gantry Crane Supplier

China

China is, frankly, where most buyers start their search—and for good reason. You get a wide menu of models, factories that welcome custom specs, and prices that often land 15 %–30 % below European equivalents.

Cost Window

• 20-ton single girder RMG: roughly USD 38,000 – 55,000 FOB
• 20-ton double girder RTG: roughly USD 60,000 – 85,000 FOB
  (Boxes ship out of Qingdao, Shanghai, or Tianjin most often.)

Lead Time: 25–45 calendar days for production, plus four to five weeks at sea to North America.

Customization Perks

• Tailor span in 100 mm steps, pick duty class up to A7, add rain covers, or specify Schneider vs. Siemens electrics.
• Many plants now offer factory-acceptance live video inspections if you can’t fly in.

Watch-Outs

• Quality can vary widely; stick with makers who welcome SGS/BV inspection.
• Language gaps occasionally slow drawing revisions—plan a few extra days for clarifications.

Germany

If you’re chasing tighter tolerances or a specific DIN standard, German makers will interest you, though your wallet will notice the jump.

• What You Get:Laser-cut box girders, frequency-controlled drives as standard, and meticulous traceability on every weld.
• Typical Price Band:Expect 1.6–2× the Chinese price once you land the crane in port, but the maintenance intervals tend to run longer.

Delivery Rhythm

• 12–16 weeks production, yet road or rail to the EU arrives fast.
• North-America shipping adds only two weeks across the Atlantic.

Service Culture: On-site commissioning and yearly inspections are often bundled—handy if you lack in-house maintenance staff.

United States

Buying “local” can trim shipping time and make spare-part logistics painless, especially if you’re east of the Rockies.

Why It Works: UL-listed control panels, OSHA familiarity, and techs who can be on-site in under 48 hours.

Ballpark Cost

• Single girder 20-ton rail gantry: USD 70,000 – 95,000 ex-works.
• Double girder rubber-tyred system: USD 115,000 – 150,000 depending on drive brand.

Lead Time Snapshot

• Production in six to ten weeks; trucking to site in days, not months.
• If you need a crash project, some builders offer “expedite” slots for a fee.

Extras to Ask For

• Weatherized packages for humid Gulf Coast yards.
• Extended warranty that ties parts availability to a 24-hour ship window.

Other Notable Regions

Turkey, South Korea, and India sit in a sweet spot between cost and European build culture. They’re worth a look when you need more than entry-level quality but can’t stretch to premium EU pricing.

Turkey

• Modern plants with EU-sourced gearboxes; prices track about 10 % above Chinese offers.
• Convenient for shipments into the Mediterranean or Africa—short sail times lower freight risk.

South Korea

• Known for heavy-duty shipyard gantries; craftsmanship rivals Japan at slightly gentler pricing.
• Lead times hover around eight to twelve weeks, and weld quality is usually top-notch.

India

• Competitive labor costs keep prices low, yet duty-class ratings sometimes sit conservatively at A4–A5.
• Check that motor and VFD brands meet your local spares policy; options vary widely.

Company Background

You wouldn’t let an apprentice run your production line — so why buy from a supplier who just started yesterday?

A supplier’s history tells you a lot about their reliability and staying power.

• Years in operation:Look for companies with at least 10 years in crane manufacturing. It shows they’ve handled a variety of projects and can survive a bad market.
• Factory scale:Larger plants with in-house welding, machining, painting, and load testing usually produce more consistent quality than small traders or assemblers.
• Export experience:Not every crane builder is good at export. Ask: Have you shipped to my country before? This matters for customs documents, voltage compatibility, and packaging quality.

Questions to ask

• “Do you have a factory video or photo tour?”
• “How many 20-ton gantry cranes have you exported in the last year?”
• “Can I speak to your technical person directly?”

Customer Reviews and Case Studies

Sales talk is easy. But real buyers don’t lie — and their feedback is gold.

Look for:

• Testimonials from actual crane buyers. Ask for names and industries — "We sold to a steel plant in Turkey" sounds nice, but vague.
• Reference projects with details. Try to get drawings, specs, and shipping records for cranes they’ve built that are similar to yours.

Ratings on third-party platforms

Alibaba, Made-in-China, and GlobalSources are useful. Pay attention to:

• Star ratings over 4.5
• Buyer response rate over 80%
• Verified business licenses and production videos

Certifications and Compliance

Anyone can print a catalog. What matters is whether their cranes meet recognized standards — both for safety and quality.

Check for:

• ISO 9001: Confirms they follow quality management systems in production.
• CE marking: Required for any crane sold into the European Economic Area. Not all Chinese manufacturers have this — ask for the actual certificate.
• SGS / BV / TÜV reports: Independent inspection reports of crane components, welding, and load testing.
• WPS & Welder Qualifications: Ask if their welders are certified and if they follow an approved Welding Procedure Specification (WPS).

Also, clarify:

• What standards do their cranes follow — FEM, DIN, CMAA, or GB?
• Can you request a third-party inspection before shipping? (Some will offer it free; others charge a small fee.)

Response Time and Technical Support

Fast, clear communication

Technical support

• Preliminary layout drawings for your plant or yard
• Electrical specs tailored to your country
• Suggestions based on your lifting needs — not just standard models

Willingness to customize :Reliable suppliers will discuss things like rail gauge, wind protection, or lifting attachments. If all you get is a generic brochure, they’re not taking your job seriously.

Support beyond the sale :Ask: “Who handles issues if something breaks?” A supplier that shrugs at that question probably won’t help you much later.

Yuantai Crane (China)

Location: Xinxiang, Henan, China

If you're looking for a mix of affordability, customization, and reliable export support, Yuantai Crane is a strong pick. They manufacture a full range of gantry cranes — from rail-mounted to rubber-tyred — and export to over 60 countries with CE, ISO certifications and third-party-inspected shipments.

• Custom-built cranes with spans and lifting heights tailored to your workshop or yard
• Outdoor-ready designs with rainproof hoist covers and anti-corrosion painting
• Smooth communication in English, fast drawing support, and reference cases in steel, precast, and heavy machinery sectors
• Competitive pricing and ability to handle bulk or repeat orders

Best for: Cost-effective custom solutions with export experience

Konecranes (Finland/Global)

Location: Global presence with strong base in Europe and North America

Konecranes is one of the most recognized crane brands in the world, known for their engineering precision and high-end features. Their gantry cranes often come with advanced controls, load diagnostics, and automated operation options.

• Smart features like sway control, remote monitoring, and programmable hoisting
• Durable designs with a focus on long-term operational uptime
• Strong after-sales network, especially in the US and EU regions

Best for: Automation-ready and high-tech gantry crane setups

GH Cranes (Spain)

Location: Spain, with global subsidiaries and partners

GH Cranes is well-known across Europe and Latin America for delivering high-quality gantry systems, especially in manufacturing and logistics applications. Their build quality is consistent, and their modular approach makes customizing easier.

• European-built gantries with CE marking and FEM standards
• Local installation teams in key markets
• Well-suited for clients looking for a balance between quality and cost

Best for: European buyers or those seeking EU-standard compliance outside of Germany's price range

Eilbeck Cranes (Australia)

Location: Australia, with domestic manufacturing facilities

Eilbeck is a great option if you're based in Australia or nearby regions. They specialize in heavy-duty gantry cranes, often designed for mining, energy, and infrastructure clients.

• In-house engineering with solid reputation for steel fabrication
• On-site installation, inspection, and lifetime service packages
• Compliant with Australian Standards and tested in harsh environments

Best for: Local buyers in Australia or New Zealand needing heavy-duty performance and nearby support

Street Crane (UK)

Location: United Kingdom, with global distributors

Street Crane offers well-engineered gantry systems with a modular, highly configurable design. Their VFD-controlled hoists and lightweight box girders are common in medium-duty industrial applications.

• British-made components with focus on smooth handling and control
• Available through local partners in many parts of the world
• Custom options for span, height, and controls

Best for: Buyers looking for dependable UK manufacturing and solid control systems

Online B2B Platforms

Online B2B platforms are often the first stop for buyers. They give you access to hundreds of suppliers, let you compare product listings, and make it easy to request quotes in bulk. But like any open marketplace, there’s a mix of serious factories, small traders, and everyone in between.

Common Platforms:

• Alibaba.com – Large selection, filters by certification, supplier location, and trade history.
• Made-in-China.com – Often includes more technical data sheets and focuses heavily on Chinese factories.
• GlobalSources.com – Slightly more curated, with manufacturers screened for export readiness.

Tips for Searching:

• Look for “Verified Supplier” or “Assessed Supplier” badges.
• Check how many years the company has been listed and how many export markets they serve.
• Avoid vague listings with no model details, drawings, or lifting specs — those usually signal traders.

What to Ask For in Your Message:

• Company name and factory location
• Product catalog with real case studies or photos
• Draft layout drawing for your 20-ton gantry setup
• Certifications (CE, ISO, etc.) in PDF form

Trade Fairs & Exhibitions

If you have the chance to attend a trade fair — do it. Meeting face-to-face with manufacturers builds trust and gives you a better sense of who’s actually building the cranes, not just re-selling.

Major Exhibitions to Watch:

• Bauma (Germany & China) – Heavy equipment and lifting machinery from all over the world.
• Canton Fair (China) – Huge export fair, includes overhead and gantry cranes in the industrial equipment section.
• CeMAT (Germany & Asia) – Focused on material handling and logistics automation, often includes gantry crane tech.

What You’ll Gain:

• See real models and control systems
• Discuss project specs directly with engineers or factory reps
• Gather brochures, case studies, and pricing from multiple suppliers in one visit

Pro Tip: Prepare your basic project specs before attending, so you can get more targeted recommendations and start building a relationship.

Direct Manufacturer Websites

Some of the best suppliers don’t pay for flashy ads or third-party listings — they invest in their own websites and let their project history speak for itself.

How to Spot a Real Manufacturer:

• Look for photos of the actual factory floor (welding, testing, painting—not just 3D renders)
• Check if they show project case studies or shipment records with dates and countries
• Real manufacturers usually have detailed technical pages for each crane model — not just a one-page brochure

Things to Verify:

• Do they list a physical factory address (not just a trading office)?
• Is there a tech team or engineer you can contact directly?
• Can they send a company profile or factory video?

Good Sign: A manufacturer that offers layout drawings or custom suggestions within 24–48 hours is likely serious about your project.

Local Distributors or Agents

If dealing directly with overseas manufacturers feels risky, you might consider working through a local distributor or crane agent. This can simplify communication, especially for first-time buyers or companies with strict local compliance requirements.

Pros:

• Easier communication and payment in local currency
• Local technical support, sometimes even on-site visits
• Can help with shipping, customs clearance, and spare parts inventory

Cons:

• Higher cost — middlemen often add a 10–25% margin
• Slower communication if the agent lacks technical knowledge
• Limited customization options — many local reps push stock models

When It Makes Sense:

• You’re buying just one crane and need support with installation and service.
• Your country has strict import documentation or testing requirements.

Red Flag: Avoid agents who refuse to tell you who the actual manufacturer is. Transparency matters.

How to Request Accurate Quotes

Suppliers can only give you a proper quote when they clearly understand your site needs. The more specific you are upfront, the fewer misunderstandings later.

What to provide when asking for a quote:

• Lifting Capacity: 20 tons, but clarify if it's the maximum or working load.
• Span (rail-to-rail width): In meters; exact numbers help them size the main girder.
• Lifting Height: The vertical distance from floor to hook; affects hoist choice.
• Travel Length: How far the crane needs to move; affects rail or wheel selection.
• Indoor or Outdoor Use: For weatherproofing, painting, and wind protection.
• Power Supply: Voltage, phase, and frequency (e.g., 380V/3Ph/50Hz).
• Usage Frequency: Hours per day, number of lifts per shift; helps determine duty class.

Optional but useful:

• Site layout drawing or a simple sketch
• Photos of your facility or yard
• Preferred installation timeline
• Any local compliance requirements

Pro tip: If a supplier sends a quote without asking for most of the above, that's a red flag. It means they're quoting generically, not tailoring to your job.

Comparing Quotes Beyond Just Price

It's tempting to jump on the lowest quote — but cranes are not all built equal. Dig deeper into what's actually included.

What to compare between suppliers:

• Duty Class / Working Group: Make sure you're not getting a light-duty crane for a heavy-duty job.
• Hoist and Motor Brands: Are they local Chinese brands, or well-known ones like Siemens, Schneider, SEW, etc.?
• Control Method: Pendant only, wireless remote, cabin, or optional dual control?
• Painting System: Is it single primer, or full sandblasting + epoxy? Outdoor cranes especially need good protection.
• Delivery Time: Some factories need 30 days, others 60+. Clarify lead time for both production and shipping.
• Warranty Terms: Typically 12–24 months — but does it cover hoists, motors, or just structure?

Hidden costs to ask about:

• Installation support
• Shipping insurance
• Spare parts kits
• Rail and power supply cables

Payment Terms, Contracts, and Shipping Considerations

Understanding the financial and logistical part of the purchase is just as important as the crane specs.

Payment structure usually looks like:

• 30% deposit, 70% before shipment (standard)
• Letter of Credit (L/C) – for larger orders or if your company requires more financial control
• PayPal or credit card – rarely accepted for industrial cranes due to large amounts

Ask for:

• Proforma Invoice (PI) with detailed specs and delivery terms
• Contract that includes warranty and after-sales service commitments
• Breakdown of delivery terms — FOB, CFR, or DDP depending on who handles shipping and duties

Shipping tips:

• A 20-ton gantry crane may need 1–2 standard 40' containers, depending on girder length.
• Ask whether the main girder is shipped in full length or bolted in two sections (affects cost and handling).
• Clarify whether the crane comes with packing lists, HS codes, and manuals in English.

Requesting Factory Visits or Virtual Inspections

Don't be shy about asking to see the factory — you're making a serious investment.

Options for inspection:

• In-person factory visit: Ideal if you're placing a large order or want to build a long-term partnership.
• Virtual factory tour: Many suppliers now offer live video calls (via Zoom, WhatsApp, etc.) to show their workshop, hoist test area, painting line, and load testing.
• Third-party inspection: Services like SGS, BV, or TÜV can do a final check before shipment.

During your factory check, ask to see:

• Welding process and quality control area
• Hoist testing and load trials
• Packing procedure (how the crane will be secured in containers)
• Previous gantry cranes in production or shipping

Pro tip: A serious supplier will welcome inspection — it shows they're confident in their work.

To Sum It Up:

• Be clear and complete when asking for quotes — more detail means better pricing and fewer delays.
• Don't judge quotes by price alone — compare specs, service, and what's actually included.
• Understand the payment and shipping flow — and read the fine print on warranty and delivery.
• Ask for a video call or site visit — it adds peace of mind and helps build trust.

In the final section, we'll wrap up this guide with some final thoughts and a short checklist to help you confidently move from inquiry to order.

Unrealistically Low Prices

A crane quote that seems way below others isn’t a bargain — it’s a warning. Sure, Chinese suppliers often offer competitive pricing, but if one quote is 30–40% cheaper than the rest, ask yourself what’s being left out.

What it usually means:

• Missing key components like rails, electrification, or control systems
• Substituted low-quality hoist or motor brands
• Light-duty structure that can’t handle frequent use
• No allowance for proper surface treatment or anti-corrosion coatings

How to avoid it:

• Always ask for a breakdown of what’s included in the price
• Request hoist brand names, steel thickness, and paint system details
• Don’t settle for just a number — get a full technical quote and layout

Lack of Certifications or Unclear Specs

Certifications exist for a reason — they prove that a supplier has tested, inspected, and documented their process to meet international safety and quality standards. A supplier that can’t show this (or avoids the topic) is one you don’t want to gamble on.

Certifications you should expect:

• ISO 9001 – quality management
• CE Mark – for Europe-bound cranes
• Third-party inspection reports – from SGS, BV, or similar
• Welding certificates and structural test data

Also watch for:

• Vague specs like “standard height” or “international motor”
• No lifting class or duty classification (e.g., A5, M5, FEM 2m)

What to do:

• Ask for PDF scans of certification documents
• Get specs in writing, not just over a call
• Avoid vendors who can't tell you what standard their crane is designed to

Poor Communication or Refusal to Customize

Good suppliers ask a lot of questions. They want to understand your site conditions, usage pattern, and special needs. If all you get is a generic catalog and a quote — without any discussion — that’s not a good sign.

Warning signs of poor communication:

• Delayed or copy-paste replies
• Vague answers like “Yes, can do” without explanation
• Avoiding specific requests like custom spans or hook designs
• No engineers available to answer technical questions

Why it matters:

• A gantry crane isn’t a one-size-fits-all product — it must be designed to your site
• Poor communication during quoting usually means even worse support after purchase

What to look for instead:

• Willingness to provide custom drawings or proposals
• Clear explanations of each component and spec
• Engineers or tech sales reps involved early in the process

No Verifiable Customer References

A reliable crane supplier should be able to show you where their cranes are already working — whether that’s in your country, your industry, or your load capacity range.

Red flags:

• No customer photos, videos, or testimonials
• Website claims “100+ countries served” but shows no proof
• Refusal to share references due to “confidentiality” (unless legally justified)

What to ask for:

• Case studies with photos and project details
• Export records or bill of lading screenshots
• Reference contact (even just a company name or country)

Good sign: Suppliers that share examples of similar 20-ton gantry crane installations — especially with real photos or layout drawings — usually know their stuff and stand behind their work.