5 Types of Rubber Tyred Cranes Full Guide Design, Tonnage & Uses

Structure & Design

A single girder rubber tyred gantry crane is built around one main girder supported by two legs, each fitted with multiple rubber tyres for stability and smooth movement.
Because it has a lighter frame compared to double girder models, it's easier to relocate and needs less power to operate.

Most are fitted with:

• An electric wire rope hoist or chain hoist for lifting loads.
• A compact trolley that runs along the girder to position the hook exactly where you need it.

The simpler design not only keeps the crane's overall weight lower but also reduces maintenance time, making it a cost-efficient option for smaller operations.

Capacity & Span

Single girder rubber tyred cranes typically handle 10–20 tons of lifting capacity, though custom designs can push that limit higher for special applications.
They work well in medium-span situations, where you don't need to cover extremely wide loads but still want the mobility to service different areas.

Capacity and span can be adjusted during design — for example:

• Narrow span, higher lifting height for compact yards with tall loads.
• Wider span, moderate lifting height for handling longer materials like steel beams.

Best Uses

Because of their lighter build and lower power needs, single girder RTGs fit well into industries where heavy lifting is needed, but not on the massive scale of container terminals.

Typical uses include:

• Outdoor steel fabrication yards – moving fabricated parts between assembly areas.
• Maintenance work in power plants – for lifting machinery parts or replacing equipment.
• Handling small containers in storage areas or distribution hubs.
• Transporting steel beams, pipes, or precast concrete parts for construction and manufacturing.

In short, if you need a mobile crane that can navigate around a yard, handle moderate loads, and operate without fixed rails, a single girder rubber tyred gantry crane is a strong candidate.

Structure & Design

The double girder A-frame rubber tyred gantry crane uses two parallel girders mounted on tall, A-shaped legs. This A-frame structure gives it a stronger and more rigid build, allowing it to lift heavier loads without excessive deflection in the girders.

Key features often include:

• Two girders for increased lifting stability and higher capacity.
• A-shaped legs that distribute load evenly to the rubber tyres, improving balance and mobility.
• Heavy-duty wire rope hoist or trolley system running between the two girders for precise load handling.

The A-frame design is a classic choice for situations where strength and stability are more important than maximum clearance under the crane.

Capacity & Span

These cranes typically handle 50–100+ tons, with custom models going even higher depending on the application.
Their wide spans make them well-suited for lifting large or multiple loads at once.

Common capacity-span setups:

• 50–70 tons with 20–25m span for workshop or yard use.
• 80–100+ tons with 25–35m span for heavy industrial and outdoor storage areas.

Best Uses

The A-frame double girder RTG is a versatile heavy lifter that works well across different industries. It's strong enough for high-load applications but still mobile enough to operate in multiple parts of a facility.

Typical applications include:

• Steel coil and slab handling – especially in steel mills and distribution yards.
• Large construction projects – moving precast segments, girders, or structural components.
• Medium-scale container handling – at smaller ports, intermodal yards, or logistics hubs where a full-size container crane is not necessary.

If your operation needs high lifting capacity with reliable mobility, this design strikes a good balance between performance and flexibility.

Structure & Design

The U-frame double girder rubber tyred gantry crane features two parallel girders supported by wide, U-shaped legs. This open-leg design creates a large clearance zone between the supports, allowing tall or wide cargo to pass through without obstruction.

This layout is especially useful when the crane needs to straddle containers, oversized machinery, or bulky project cargo.
Instead of working around the load, the U-frame moves over and around it.

Key design points:

• Two main girders for strength and higher lifting capacity.
• Wide U-shaped leg spacing for easy access to large or tall loads.
• Container spreader or specialized lifting gear can be fitted depending on the type of cargo.

Capacity & Span

These cranes are built for heavy-duty work, often handling 100–200+ tons.
The span is usually designed to match standard container stacks or large cargo dimensions, ensuring the crane can position loads efficiently.

Typical setups include:

• Wide span to cover multiple container rows.
• High lifting height for stacking containers up to five or six high.
• Custom height clearance for handling wind turbine blades, prefabricated bridge segments, or similar oversized items.

Best Uses

While the U-frame can lift a variety of large loads, it is most commonly used for container handling because the open frame allows smooth movement over stacks and truck lanes.

You'll often find them in:

• Ports – for container loading and unloading from yard stacks.
• Rail yards – transferring containers between trains and trucks.
• Logistics terminals – organizing and stacking containers in storage areas.

Beyond containers, this crane is also effective for:

• Oversized cargo – such as transformers, industrial machinery, or long steel structures.
• Project cargo work – in heavy industry, construction, and energy projects.

If your operation involves high-capacity lifting with large load dimensions, and you need smooth container handling or wide load clearance, the U-frame design is a dependable choice.

Structure & Design

A rubber tyred straddle carrier is a self-propelled crane-like vehicle designed to move over loads instead of around them. Its frame straddles the cargo, allowing it to lift, transport, and stack containers or similar loads in one smooth motion.

Key features include:

• Independent propulsion – moves without rails, using large rubber tyres for mobility across yards.
• Spreader or lifting mechanism – adjustable for 20ft or 40ft containers.
• Operator cab – often elevated for better visibility when stacking or maneuvering containers.

Because the load travels under the carrier, there's no need for additional forklifts or transport vehicles, which saves time and space in busy terminals.

Capacity & Span

Straddle carriers are designed specifically for container handling. They can lift single containers (20ft or 40ft) and, depending on the model, stack them several rows high.

• Typical lifting capacity ranges from 20–60 tons.
• Span is wide enough to straddle standard containers while keeping stability during lifting and transport.

This design makes them highly efficient for moving containers quickly between storage areas, trucks, and trains.

Best Uses

Straddle carriers are widely used where speed and mobility are critical.

Common applications include:

• Port container terminals – loading and unloading ships efficiently.
• Intermodal freight yards – transferring containers between trucks, trains, and storage stacks.
• Large logistics hubs – organizing container storage while maximizing yard space.

In short, if your facility deals with frequent container movements and stacking, a rubber tyred straddle carrier can save time and reduce the need for extra handling equipment.

Structure & Design

A boat lift rubber tyred crane, often called a mobile boat hoist, is built with a U-shaped frame that straddles the vessel. It uses an adjustable sling system to safely lift boats of different sizes and shapes.

Key features include:

• Multiple rubber tyres for stable movement across marinas, docks, and shipyard surfaces.
• Adjustable slings or straps to fit hull shapes, from small yachts to large ships.
• High maneuverability – can move vessels directly from water to storage or maintenance areas.

This crane type is designed to handle delicate loads safely while maintaining mobility in areas where fixed lifting equipment isn’t practical.

Capacity & Span

Boat lift cranes cover a wide range of lifting capacities, from small boats around 10 tons to massive vessels exceeding 1000 tons, depending on the design.

• The span is adjustable to match the width of the hull or vessel being lifted.
• Height clearance can be configured to accommodate docks, maintenance platforms, or storage racks.

This flexibility ensures that the crane can serve both small marinas and large shipyards effectively.

Best Uses

Boat lift rubber tyred cranes are essential wherever boats need to be moved safely and efficiently:

• Marinas – for launching and retrieving yachts and recreational boats.
• Shipyards – lifting vessels out of water for repair, maintenance, or inspection.
• Yacht storage and transport – moving boats between storage racks, trailers, or transport vehicles.