Intelligent Overhead Crane Powers Unmanned Cold Storage for Garlic Industry

Project Background

Located in Jining, Shandong Province, a major garlic production region known as the “Hometown of Garlic,” the client—a local technology company—launched the “Garlic Connects the World” industrial park to address the region’s growing need for automated cold chain warehousing.

Traditional storage methods involved small crates, heavy manual labor, and a challenging working environment caused by garlic’s pungent smell. During the harvest season, labor intensity and inefficiency severely limited throughput and increased operating costs.

The Challenge

The client needed a storage system that could:

• Increase warehouse density and optimize land use

• Reduce dependency on manual labor in a harsh working environment

• Automate garlic handling, stacking, and retrieval

• Operate reliably in cold storage conditions

• Track inventory digitally and streamline workflows

Henan Mine’s Solution: (8+8)t Smart Warehouse Overhead Crane

Henan Mine designed and delivered China’s first intelligent warehouse crane for agriculture, tailored for unmanned operation in cold storage conditions.

Key Features:

• High Span & Long Travel Distance

• Lifting Height & Speed Optimized for High-Volume Movement

• Over 1,400 High-Precision Positioning Points (±5mm accuracy)

• Multi-mode Control: manual/remote, semi-automatic, and fully automatic

• Real-time database integration for inventory tracking

• Automated loading/unloading, stacking, and anti-sway control

The crane supports 24/7 operation with remote monitoring, intelligent fault detection, and predictive maintenance.

Measurable Results

10x Higher Land Efficiency

By replacing small crates with large stackable bins, the system supports dense vertical storage, maximizing space utilization. A single cold warehouse can now store up to 60,000 tons, equivalent to 10x the capacity of a traditional setup using the same footprint.

60% Reduction in Total Operating Costs

• Lower energy usage through centralized cooling

• Labor savings: only 2 operators needed vs. 20–30 previously

• Time savings: one full truckload can now be loaded/unloaded in 5 minutes

Full Traceability & Accuracy

Each bin is assigned a unique code. The crane automatically identifies, places, and retrieves bins without manual intervention, significantly reducing product damage and handling errors.

Enhanced Safety & Working Conditions

Automating work inside cold, odor-heavy environments has dramatically improved employee conditions, eliminating the need for oxygen masks and protective gear.

Customer Impact

The project received strong support from both the local government and agricultural enterprises. It has become a regional benchmark for integrating intelligent equipment into agriculture and demonstrated how lifting automation can transform even the most traditional sectors.

"This crane system allowed us to turn a labor-intensive, seasonal operation into a streamlined, year-round smart logistics center."

Looking to Automate Agricultural Cold Storage?

Henan Mine is a pioneer in bringing intelligent lifting solutions to the agricultural sector, combining industrial-grade automation with real-world farming needs.

We offer customized systems for cold chain logistics, grain handling, seed processing, and more—designed for unmanned operation, energy efficiency, and digital integration.