Choose a jib crane for repeated lifts around one machine or assembly station. Choose a gantry crane when the load must move across a bay or the lifting station must be relocated. Check usable hook coverage and floor access first: identical capacity ratings do not make these cranes interchangeable.
01Which crane covers the actual lift?
| Buying decision | Jib crane | Gantry crane |
|---|---|---|
| Working area | Arc around a column or wall pivot | Area below the beam; extended by permitted crane travel |
| Best fit | Machine loading, local assembly, maintenance station | Work across a service bay or several positions |
| Floor obstruction | Column base; no floor column for wall-mounted designs | Two legs, wheels or rails beside the load path |
| Relocation | Normally a fixed installation | Portable designs can be relocated within their operating instructions |
A jib’s advertised reach is not the hook’s usable reach. Allow for the trolley end stops, hoist body and distance from the column. On a gantry, check the clear space between legs as well as the beam span. A wide load can fit below the hook but still collide with the frame.
02Check the hook path before the rated capacity
Start with the pickup and set-down positions. Both must sit inside the usable hook envelope, with enough vertical clearance for the hoist, rigging and lifted component. For a jib, trace the entire swing: a column, guard or parked vehicle can block the shortest route.
For a gantry, check doorway clearance, floor joints and turning space. Do not assume that a crane on castors may travel with a suspended load. That permission depends on the exact crane design, load position, floor conditions and manufacturer’s instructions.
For example, a pump lifted repeatedly between a bench and an adjacent machine may suit a jib. The same pump moved down a long service aisle may need a travelling gantry or an overhead system.
03Compare the support work and operating effort
A floor-mounted jib transfers a substantial overturning moment into its foundation. A wall-mounted jib transfers reactions into the building. Neither should be ordered on the assumption that an existing slab or column is adequate. Foundationless models also have specified slab and anchor requirements.
A portable gantry avoids a permanent column but places wheel loads on the floor and needs clear floor space. Frequent manual pushing or slewing can become a production bottleneck even when the capacity is sufficient. For repeated shifts, compare powered travel, trolley control and duty classification.
See pillar jib crane configurations for a fixed station, or gantry crane options for wider coverage.
04Gantry crane vs jib crane prices
Public equipment listings checked on 28 October 2026 show the following USD references. These are different configurations, not equivalent installed packages or Henan Mine quotations.
| Published equipment reference | Price range, USD per unit | Scope to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| 1 US short ton wall-mounted tie-rod jib; 8–20 ft reach variants | $1,301–$2,007 | Building support, hoist, trolley, freight and installation |
| Portable adjustable gantry listing covering 3 t and 5 t labels | $2,000–$3,000 | Range is quantity-based: $3,000 for 1–4, $2,500 for 5–9 and $2,000 for 10+ units; exact configuration and hoist inclusion need confirmation |
A wall jib’s lower equipment price can be offset by structural reinforcement. A portable gantry can cost more to operate if it must be repositioned for every lift. Compare the installed arrangement and cycle time rather than declaring either crane type universally cheaper. One US short ton is 2,000 lb, approximately 907 kg; it is not one metric tonne.
05Buyer questions
Is a jib crane better for frequent production lifts?
Often, when every pickup and set-down point sits within one clear swing area. Confirm the hoist duty and ease of slewing; capacity alone does not establish production suitability.
Can a gantry crane replace an overhead crane?
It can handle some of the same loads, but its legs and floor travel need space. An overhead crane may better serve a long production bay where the floor must remain clear.