What Is the Difference Between Single-Girder and Double-Girder Overhead Cranes?
2026-03-21
Compare structure, capacity, duty class, installation requirements, and cost.
MOTCRANE configures the crane structure, duty class, controls and components around your lifting requirements, available space and workshop layout.
An overhead crane, also known as a bridge crane, runs on runway beams above the working area. In many industrial markets, electrically powered overhead cranes are also referred to as EOT cranes, short for Electric Overhead Travelling Cranes. Bridge travel, trolley travel and hoisting allow loads to move longitudinally, laterally and vertically within the workshop.
At MOTCRANE, crane selection is not based on lifting capacity alone. We review the span, required hook height, available installation space, workshop layout, operating frequency, control method and supporting structure before recommending a single-girder configuration or a double-girder configuration.
Every workshop has its own limitations. Rather than selecting a crane based only on lifting capacity, MOTCRANE evaluates available installation space, workshop layout, and actual operating requirements to develop a practical lifting solution.
Suitable for both new workshops and factory upgrades
Optimized for limited installation height and space constraints
Designed around actual lifting requirements and working conditions
Real Project Example:
A customer required four 3-ton overhead cranes for two workshops with different building conditions. One workshop had already been completed, but the clearance above the crane was limited. After reviewing both buildings, we proposed a double-girder arrangement for the completed workshop to reduce the depth of each main girder, while a single-girder crane was selected for the workshop still under construction. This avoided major structural changes and allowed each crane to match its actual installation conditions.
For overhead cranes used in daily production, reliability depends on the right combination of hoist, motors, electrical system, and duty class. MOTCRANE focuses on practical configurations that support stable operation over long-term use.
Overhead cranes are available in different types based on design, capacity, and working conditions. Each type suits specific workshop layouts and applications. Explore the common options below to find the right solution.
MOTCRANE supplies overhead crane systems ranging from light-duty workstation cranes to custom double-girder cranes with capacities up to 200 tonnes. Common capacities include 5-ton, 10-ton, 20-ton, 32-ton and 50-ton models, while heavier-duty configurations are developed for specific project requirements.
MOTCRANE is an engineering-oriented crane solution provider. We manage requirement review, crane design, steel fabrication coordination, component sourcing, quality inspection, system integration, testing and export delivery through one project interface.
Steel structures are produced by specialized fabrication partners, while MOTCRANE remains responsible for drawings, component matching, quality control and technical communication. Component brands, control systems, paint specifications and corrosion-protection requirements can be confirmed before production.
Our overhead cranes follow a strict quality assurance process from design to final delivery, ensuring reliable performance and long service life.
Confirm lifting capacity, span, duty class, and operating conditions.
Develop crane layout and technical solution based on project needs.
Steel structures are fabricated by specialized manufacturing partners.
Select reliable suppliers for hoists, motors, wheels, gearboxes, and electrical systems.
Inspect all components to ensure quality and specification compliance.
Assemble mechanical structures and integrate electrical systems.
Test crane operation, safety functions, and running stability.
Complete final checks before packaging and shipment.
Overhead cranes are widely used across manufacturing, fabrication, warehousing, and heavy industrial facilities. Different industries have different lifting requirements, and selecting the right crane configuration helps improve safety, efficiency, and material flow.
Suitable for machine shops, assembly lines, and general manufacturing facilities where materials need to be moved safely and efficiently.
Used for handling steel plates, beams, pipes, and fabricated structures during production and assembly processes.
Supports loading, unloading, and internal material transportation while maximizing floor space utilization.
For workshops with limited headroom or insufficient runway support, low-headroom cranes or independent supporting structures can be considered after the building conditions are reviewed.
Used for equipment installation, maintenance operations, and handling heavy mechanical components.
Designed for demanding lifting operations involving large structures, heavy equipment, and industrial components.
The projects below show how workshop height, structural support, span, operating frequency, and specified component brands affect the final crane arrangement. Each solution was configured around the actual site conditions rather than selected from a fixed model.
Explore practical guidance on overhead crane types, applications, workshop installation, and crane selection. These articles explain the factors that should be considered before choosing a crane for a specific project.
Compare structure, capacity, duty class, installation requirements, and cost.
See how overhead cranes support manufacturing, storage, maintenance, and assembly.
Review common overhead crane types and their typical industrial applications.
Overhead Crane Selection Guide
Selecting the right overhead crane is essential for safe and efficient material handling.
Factors such as lifting capacity, span, lifting height, and duty class should be carefully evaluated based on your workshop conditions. A properly selected crane improves productivity, reduces maintenance costs, and ensures long-term operational reliability.
Single-girder cranes are commonly selected for moderate loads and general workshop handling. Double-girder cranes are considered when the capacity, span, duty cycle, required hook height, or trolley arrangement makes them more suitable. Lifting capacity alone should not determine the crane structure.
Crane capacity should be selected based on the maximum load to be lifted, lifting frequency, and actual working conditions. It is also important to consider future production needs rather than only current requirements.
Yes. In many cases, overhead cranes can be installed in existing workshops with proper structural evaluation and installation planning. The final solution depends on available space, building layout, and load-bearing conditions.
Where the existing building cannot support runway beams, a free-standing overhead crane or gantry crane may provide an alternative arrangement.
A basic quotation usually requires lifting capacity, span, lifting height, power supply, and workshop layout. If available, drawings or photos of the site can also help improve quotation accuracy.
Top-running cranes travel on rails mounted on top of the runway beams and are commonly selected for higher capacities, larger spans, and demanding duty cycles. Under-running, or underslung cranes travel beneath the runway beams and are generally used for lighter-duty applications or workshops where a top-running arrangement is impractical.
Yes. In most cases, a bridge crane and an overhead crane are the same type of equipment. The difference is mainly in terminology rather than design. Both operate on runway beams above the working area and are used for lifting and transporting materials within a facility.
When selecting a bridge crane or overhead crane, factors such as lifting capacity, span, installation height, and workshop layout are often more important than the name itself. In many projects, available installation space can even determine whether a single girder or double girder configuration is suitable.
The required installation height depends on crane type, lifting capacity, lifting height, and hoist configuration. In projects with limited headroom, low-headroom single girder cranes or FEM standard overhead cranes are often used to maximize the available lifting height.
English 
Russian 
French 
Spanish 
Arabic 
Indonesian 
Japanese