25 Ton Rubber Tyred Container Gantry Crane

A 25-ton rubber tyred gantry crane (RTG) is a mobile crane used to lift and stack containers or heavy materials without needing fixed rails. Its key advantage is flexibility-it moves on rubber tyres, so it can be relocated across a yard or site as needs change.

Comparison with Rail-Mounted Gantry Cranes (RMG)

Lifting Capacity 25 tons
Span (Width) 3 - 12 meters (adjustable)
Lifting Height 3 - 10 meters
Working Class A3-A5 (light to medium duty)
Hoisting Speed 0.5 - 8 m/min (variable)
Main Beam Type Single/double girder (box-type)
Power Supply 220V/380V 3-phase or manual
Control Mode Pendant control/wireless remote
Hoist Type Electric chain hoist/wire rope hoist
Travel Drive Manual push or motorized
Corrosion Protection Hot-dip galvanized or marine-grade paint
Wind Resistance Up to Beaufort scale 6 (for outdoor use)
Operating Temp -20°C to +50°C

Main Girders: Welded box-girder steel construction; carry the trolley and rated load; determine the crane span.

Legs: Connect the main girders to the lower cross beams; provide structural stability and load transmission.

Lower Cross Beams (Sill Beams): Connect the legs at the base; house and support the gantry travel mechanism.

Overall Function: Form the load-bearing skeleton of the crane; define span and lifting height.

Operator Cab: Driver operating platform.

Remote Control: Optional remote operation.

PLC Control Cabinet: Core logic control of the entire crane.

Safety Limit Switches: Stroke limits for each mechanism.

Overload Protection: Prevents operation beyond rated load.

Wind Speed Alarm: High-wind warning.

Typhoon Anchoring Device: Fixes the crane in extreme weather such as typhoons.

Electric Motor: Provides lifting power.

Reducer / Gearbox: Reduces speed and increases torque.

Drum: Winds and stores the wire rope.

Wire Rope: Connects the drum to the spreader.

Brake: Holds the load when power is cut or the crane stops.

Safety Devices: Overload limiter and height limit switch.

Drive Unit: Motor + reducer.

Transmission Type: Rack-and-pinion or wire-rope traction.

Anti-Sway System: Laser ranging or electronic anti-sway; positioning accuracy up to ±10 mm.

Function: Drives the spreader laterally along the main girder for cross-yard operation.

Tyres: Heavy-duty pneumatic rubber tyres (typically 8 or more).

Drive Type: Electric or hydraulic motor drive.

Steering Function: Supports 90° right-angle steering, diagonal travel, and other modes.

Deviation Correction System: Automatic correction to ensure straight-line travel.

Function: Enables trackless mobility of the entire crane; the core component distinguishing an RTG from a rail-mounted gantry crane.

Diesel Generator Set: Mainstream configuration; diesel generates electricity to drive motors (diesel-electric drive).

Cable Reel: Optional where mains power is available.

Lithium Battery Pack: Optional for high environmental requirements.

Variable Frequency Control: Enables smooth speed regulation.

Function: Provides power source for all crane mechanisms.

Twist Locks: Standard configuration; automatically or manually lock onto container corner castings.

Telescopic Function: Supports switching between 20 ft and 45 ft containers.

Additional Functions: Some models integrate weighing and tilt detection.

Function: Directly contacts and locks the container.

SKETCH

Main technical

🚛 Mobility and Flexibility

Free Movement Without Tracks: Equipped with rubber tyres, the RTG does not require ground rails. It can move freely across the yard, adapting to changing layouts and transferring between different working lanes or blocks .

Multiple Steering Modes: It supports straight travel, diagonal (crab) movement, and 90-degree right-angle steering, allowing it to maneuver in tight spaces and position itself precisely over containers .

Independent Operation: Each RTG is a self-contained unit. It does not depend on a fixed track system, simplifying yard management and allowing it to operate in various locations without permanent infrastructure .

💰 Economic and Infrastructure Benefits

Lower Initial Investment: RTGs generally have a lower acquisition cost than rail-mounted gantry cranes (RMGs). Because they do not need rails, the upfront cost for yard infrastructure is significantly reduced .

Higher Equipment Utilization: The ability to move between different yard areas means a single RTG can serve multiple functions, increasing its usage rate and making it a cost-effective solution for diverse operations .

Simplified Maintenance: The tyre drive mechanism is relatively simple, which can make repairs and maintenance easier and reduce long-term downtime .

⚡ Operational and Environmental Adaptability

Flexible Power Options: Modern RTGs offer multiple power configurations, including diesel-electric, hybrid, and fully electric (via cable reel or battery). This allows operators to choose a balance between mobility, fuel cost, and emissions based on their specific site conditions .

Versatile Application: While ideal for container yards, its ability to handle heavy loads without fixed tracks makes it suitable for logistics centers, industrial storage, and other heavy-lifting scenarios where flexibility is key .

A 25-ton rubber tyred gantry crane (RTG) is primarily used for container handling in ports and intermodal yards, but its trackless mobility also makes it valuable in heavy industry, construction, and manufacturing where flexible lifting is required.

🏗️ Core Application: Container Handling & Logistics

This is the most common use for an RTG. In these settings, the crane's ability to stack containers densely and move between rows without rails is a major advantage.

Port Terminals & Container Yards: Stacking, grounding, and retrieving intermodal containers. It helps maximize storage space in crowded yards and speeds up vessel loading/unloading .

Rail & Intermodal Facilities: Loading and unloading containers from trains and trucks, facilitating the transfer of cargo between different modes of transport .

🏭 Industrial & Heavy Manufacturing

Beyond ports, RTGs are extensively used in industry for moving large, heavy, or awkward loads within a facility or yard .

Precast Concrete & Steel Fabrication: Lifting and transporting standard slabs, wall panels, beams, and long steel profiles between production and storage areas. The crane's stability is key for handling predictable, heavy industrial loads .

Heavy Manufacturing & Assembly: Used to assemble large manufacturing components, position pipelines, or erect large unbalanced structures. It is also useful for handling oversized machinery bases or equipment frames .

Shipbuilding & Energy: Deploying in shipyards for heavy engineering structures and in the power/utilities sector for installing or servicing equipment like generators .

🛠️ Construction & Specialized Projects

The crane's mobility allows it to be deployed to different areas of a project site.

Construction Sites: Hoisting prefabricated components, installing steel structures, and moving heavy materials. It is also used in bridge construction .

Modular & Temporary Works: Efficiently lifting and positioning prefabricated building units (modular construction). Because it can be relocated relatively easily, it is also suitable for temporary worksites or projects requiring a crane that can be moved between tasks .

Agriculture: Assisting in the relocation and servicing of oversized farming machinery .

🏭 Factory Manufacturing & Pre-Assembly

1. Design & Engineering
The process begins with engineering design based on the specific requirements (span, lifting height, power source). Modern designs often focus on modularization, where the crane is divided into manageable modules (like gantry legs and main girders) with defined size and weight limits for transport .

2. Steel Structure Fabrication
This is the core of manufacturing. High-strength steel plates are cut, welded into box girders and legs, and machined. Key quality control steps include:

Welding: Main girders are often welded using automatic submerged-arc welding to ensure quality.

Machining: Many components are machined by CNC centers for precise quality control .

Stress Relief: Welded structures may undergo annealing to relieve internal stress and ensure machining accuracy.

3. Component Assembly & Testing
Individual components such as the trolley, hoisting mechanism, and wheel assemblies are assembled. Before shipment, factories typically perform full assembling and load testing to verify the crane's functionality and safety .

🚚 Transport & On-Site Assembly

4. Transport to Site
The crane is disassembled into its modules (main girders, legs, cross beams, trolley, etc.) and shipped to the customer's location. The modular design facilitates this transport .

5. Site Preparation & Foundation
For an RTG, this primarily involves ensuring the ground is level and compacted to bear the crane's weight. The required bearing capacity is typically ≥200kPa, and steel plates or concrete pads may be necessary .

6. On-Site Erection (The Assembly Sequence)
This is a critical phase requiring heavy lifting equipment (like 200-300 ton crawler cranes). The general sequence is:

Leg Assembly: The gantry legs are assembled on the ground, including the installation of the tyre assemblies and steering mechanisms .

Leg Erection: The legs are lifted into position and temporarily secured. Their verticality is adjusted with precision (e.g., deviation ≤1‰) .

Main Girder Lifting: The main girders are pre-assembled on the ground (including trolley rails) and then lifted as a whole to connect with the tops of the legs .

Gantry Closure: The main girders and legs are joined using high-strength bolts and welding to form a stable gantry structure. The entire structure is then re-measured for span, verticality, and camber .

7. Final Installation & Commissioning

Mechanical & Electrical: The trolley, hoisting mechanism, spreader, operator cabin, and all electrical wiring are installed and connected .

Testing & Commissioning: The crane undergoes no-load and load tests to verify all motions, safety devices (like limit switches and overload protection), and controls function correctly before being handed over for operation.

Workshop view:

The company has installed an intelligent equipment management platform, and has installed 310 sets (sets) of handling and welding robots. After the completion of the plan, there will be more than 500 sets (sets), and the equipment networking rate will reach 95%. 32 welding lines have been put into use, 50 are planned to be installed, and the automation rate of the entire product line has reached 85%.