A hydraulic gantry lifts a load through header beams supported by hydraulic towers. Synchronized controls raise the towers, while approved tracks and side-shift equipment can provide positioning. Capacity must be checked at the working height, for each tower and across the full arrangement—not by adding four maximum tower ratings.
01How the lifting system moves the load
Rigging connects the machine or component to header beams above it. The beams transfer the load into the hydraulic towers, which extend under controlled pressure. Position feedback helps maintain the prescribed lift alignment; synchronization does not mean that every tower carries the same load.
- Prepare the support: engineered foundations, load spreading and tracks carry the tower reactions.
- Assemble the arrangement: towers, beams, lifting links and controls are installed to the approved configuration.
- Raise and position: the towers lift in controlled stages; travel or side shift is used only where the system is designed for it.
- Set down: the load is transferred onto its final supports before the system is dismantled.
This suits tasks such as machinery installation or transformer positioning where access or overhead clearance limits a conventional crane. It is a project lifting system, not simply four hydraulic jacks placed under a beam.
02Check capacity at height and at each tower
| Check | Why it changes the selected system |
|---|---|
| Capacity at required extension | Some models lose capacity as stages extend; others retain their rating |
| Individual tower reaction | Offset centre of gravity and beam geometry can overload one tower |
| Header beam and lifting points | Beam span, pickup positions and carried accessories govern the load case |
| Track and ground reactions | Support must remain adequate during lifting, travel and set-down |
| Clearance | Retracted tower, beam and rigging must fit before lifting begins |
For example, a 120 t load is not automatically a 30 t reaction at each of four supports. Unequal loading, carried beams and the positioning sequence need an engineered assessment. Hydraulic synchronization cannot correct an overloaded support or weak floor.
03Buy the positioning function you need
Vertical lift, powered tower travel and powered side shift are different functions. A quotation for lifting towers alone may omit the tracks, beams, lifting links or controls required for the planned movement. Define the complete movement from pickup to final support before comparing systems.
For a one-off installation, compare a specialist lifting contractor’s complete service with purchasing equipment. Owning the gantry also means transport, storage, inspection, maintenance and trained personnel. For routine production hook lifting, a conventional gantry crane may be the more appropriate equipment category.
04Hydraulic gantry prices: used equipment references
Public used-equipment listings checked on 28 October 2026 display asking prices from USD $100,500 to $295,000 per advertised equipment package. All three pages are marked sold out. These are historical asking-price references, not available stock, confirmed sale prices, new-machine prices or Henan Mine quotations.
| Used equipment listing | Displayed asking price, USD | Scope shown on the page |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 model; 220 US tons | $100,500 | Self-propelled, self-contained hydraulics and electronics; beam and track inclusion not established |
| 1997 model; seller-labelled 400 tons | $165,000 | Two power units; lifting beams and track explicitly excluded |
| 2004 model; seller-labelled 500 tons | $295,000 | Lifting beams, links and runway listed with the package |
The 400- and 500-ton listings do not define their ton convention; do not convert them to metric ratings without confirmation. All three are used, sold as-is without warranty, with loading and shipping at the buyer’s cost. Condition, capacity at working height and accessory compatibility require separate verification.
The range compares different ages, capacities and included equipment. It cannot price a new 40 t or 200 t system. Current manufacturer catalogues are contact-for-pricing. Obtain a configured new-system offer and price project engineering, ground works, operators, transport, setup and commissioning separately. Commodity cylinder prices or ordinary workshop gantry prices are not valid substitutes.
05Buyer questions
Does synchronization make the load equal on all legs?
No. It controls the prescribed movement or alignment. Load distribution still depends on the centre of gravity, lifting geometry and support conditions, and must be checked for every relevant stage.
Can a hydraulic gantry travel with a suspended load?
Only where the selected system, tracks, support conditions and approved lifting plan permit that movement. Powered travel on one model does not establish permission for another configuration.