Gantry Crane For Shield

 

Gantry Crane for Shield (Shield Tunneling Gantry Crane)

The Gantry Crane for Shield is a specialized heavy-duty gantry crane designed for shield tunneling and TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) construction projects. It is mainly used for lifting, transporting, assembling, and maintaining shield machine components and tunnel segments in tunnel yards, shafts, and construction sites.

 

Main Functions

Lifting and assembling shield machine components

Handling TBM cutter heads, main drives, and backup systems

Transporting precast tunnel lining segments

Supporting maintenance and replacement operations

 

 

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS (TYPICAL RANGES)

Parameter	Segment Gantry	TBM Assembly Gantry	Material Gantry
Capacity	3-15 tons	50-1000 tons	5-30 tons
Span	5-12m (tunnel width + clearance)	10-25m (launch shaft width)	6-15m
Lift Height	2-6m	10-50m (shaft depth)	3-8m
Travel Speed	5-20 m/min	2-10 m/min (precision)	10-30 m/min
Control	Radio remote + automation	Cab + remote + CCTV	Radio remote
Power Supply	Cable reel or sliding contact	Fixed power (shaft)	Cable reel

 

Typical Technical Parameters

Lifting Capacity: 50–500 t

Span: Customized according to shaft or yard size

Lifting Height: Customized

Working Duty: A5–A7

Control Mode: Cabin / Pendant / Remote

 

The Gantry Crane for Shield is a specialized heavy-duty gantry crane designed for shield tunneling and TBM construction, consisting of structural, mechanical, electrical, and safety systems to ensure safe, precise, and reliable operation in harsh construction environments.

1. Main Girder System

Heavy-duty box-type welded steel girders

Designed to withstand ultra-heavy and concentrated loads

High rigidity and excellent torsional resistance

Optimized camber for precise lifting

 

 

2. Gantry Legs (Portal Structure)

Rigid gantry legs or rigid + flexible leg design

Box or tubular steel structure

Transfers load from girder to ground rails

Designed for deep shafts and confined spaces

3. End Beams

Installed at the bottom of gantry legs

Support crane traveling mechanism

Precision-machined wheel seats for accurate alignment

4. Crane Traveling Mechanism

Heavy-duty traveling motors with gear reducers

Electromagnetic or hydraulic braking system

High-load crane wheels suitable for rail operation

Ensures stable longitudinal movement

5. Lifting Trolley (Winch / Hoist System)

Heavy-duty electric winch trolley

Single or dual-trolley configuration (optional)

Includes:

Lifting motors

Gearboxes

Drums

Wire ropes

6. Hook Block & Lifting Device

Heavy-duty forged hook block

Multiple sheave system for high capacity

Optional:

Dual hooks for synchronous lifting

Special lifting beams or spreaders for TBM parts

7. Trolley Traveling Mechanism

Trolley motors and reducers

Precision wheels and rails

Smooth transverse movement

 

8. Electrical Control System

Central electrical control cabinet

PLC control system (optional)

Frequency inverter (VFD) for smooth speed control

Sensors and monitoring devices

9. Operator Control System

Enclosed operator cabin with excellent visibility

Pendant control

Wireless remote control (optional)

 

 

.

10. Safety Protection Devices

Overload protection system

Upper and lower lifting limit switches

Traveling limit switches

Emergency stop system

Anti-sway and synchronous lifting control (optional)

11. Power Supply System

Busbar system or cable reel

Power distribution equipment

Grounding and lightning protection

12. Environmental Protection Components

Dust-proof enclosures

Moisture-resistant electrical parts

Anti-corrosion coatings for harsh environments

13. Auxiliary Components

Maintenance platforms and ladders

Walkways and guardrails

Buffers and end stops

Warning lights and alarms

 

Sketch

 

 

 

Advantages of Gantry Crane for Shield

1. Designed Specifically for Shield & TBM Operations

Customized according to shield diameter, weight, and site conditions

Optimized for lifting cutter heads, main drives, and backup systems

Perfect fit for tunnel construction requirements

2. Ultra-High Load Capacity

Capable of lifting 50–500 tons or more

Handles large, concentrated loads safely

Suitable for heavy TBM components

3. Excellent Structural Stability

Heavy-duty box-type steel structure

Strong resistance to bending, torsion, and impact loads

Stable operation even in deep shafts

4. Precise & Synchronous Lifting

Dual-hoist or multi-hoist synchronous lifting (optional)

Frequency inverter (VFD) or PLC control

Accurate positioning of precision components

5. High Lifting Height

Designed to meet deep shaft and tunnel access requirements

Enables vertical assembly and disassembly of shield machines

6. Adaptability to Harsh Environments

Dust-proof, moisture-resistant, and anti-corrosion design

Reliable operation in underground, outdoor, and high-humidity environments

7. Enhanced Safety Performance

Equipped with:

Overload protection

Limit switches

Emergency stop systems

Anti-sway and anti-overload control

Reduces operational risks during heavy lifting

8. Modular Design & Easy Installation

Modular structure for easy transportation

Quick on-site assembly and disassembly

Suitable for temporary tunnel construction sites

 

Applications of Gantry Crane for Shield

The Gantry Crane for Shield is widely used in underground and tunnel construction projects.

1. Metro & Subway Tunnel Construction

Lifting and assembling shield machines

Handling precast tunnel lining segments

2. Railway Tunnel Projects

Assembly and maintenance of TBM equipment

Heavy component installation

3. Highway & Urban Tunnel Construction

Shield tunneling equipment handling

Material transfer in tunnel shafts

4. Shield Machine Assembly Yards

Pre-assembly and testing of shield components

Storage and transportation operations

5. TBM Maintenance & Service Areas

Replacement of cutter heads and main drive systems

Equipment inspection and repair

 

The Gantry Crane for Shield is a specialized heavy-duty gantry crane designed for shield tunneling and TBM construction. Due to its ultra-high load capacity, precision lifting requirements, and harsh working environment, the crane is manufactured under strict quality-control standards, complying with GB/T, FEM, ISO, and CE (optional) norms.

 

1. Project Requirement Analysis & Engineering Design

Confirm project-specific parameters:

Shield/TBM weight and dimensions

Lifting capacity and lifting height

Span and rail gauge

Working class (A5–A7)

Structural stress, fatigue, and stability calculations

Design of synchronous lifting and anti-sway systems

Electrical and safety system configuration

 

2. Raw Material Selection & Quality Inspection

High-strength structural steel (Q345B / Q355 / Q460 or equivalent)

Verification of steel certificates

Ultrasonic testing (UT) for plates and key components

Shot blasting or surface cleaning before fabrication

 

3. CNC Cutting & Component Preparation

CNC plasma/flame cutting of:

Box-type main girder plates

Gantry leg panels

End beam and stiffeners

Edge beveling for full-penetration welding

Dimensional inspection and traceability marking

 

4. Heavy-Duty Main Girder Fabrication

4.1 Assembly

Assembly of box-type girders using high-precision jigs

Accurate camber control based on design calculations

4.2 Welding

Submerged arc welding for primary load-bearing seams

CO₂ gas-shielded welding for secondary structures

4.3 Stress Relief & Straightening

Thermal or vibration stress relief

Mechanical straightening to ensure dimensional accuracy

4.4 Weld Inspection

Visual inspection

Ultrasonic testing (UT)

Magnetic particle testing (MT) on critical welds

 

5. Gantry Legs & End Beam Manufacturing

Fabrication of rigid gantry legs (or rigid + flexible design)

Welding of box or tubular structures

CNC machining of wheel seats and connection surfaces

End beam assembly with bearing housings

 

6. Crane Traveling Mechanism Assembly

Installation of heavy-duty traveling motors and reducers

Assembly of crane wheels and braking systems

Alignment and running accuracy inspection

 

7. Lifting System & Trolley Assembly

Assembly of heavy-duty electric winch system:

High-power lifting motors

Gearboxes

Multi-layer wire rope drums

Installation of single or dual trolley systems

Assembly of hook blocks or special lifting beams

 

8. Electrical & Intelligent Control System Installation

Installation of main electrical control cabinets

PLC-based synchronous lifting control (optional)

Frequency inverter (VFD) system for precise speed control

Installation of sensors and monitoring systems

 

9. Safety Protection System Installation

Overload protection devices

Upper/lower lifting limit switches

Travel limit and emergency stop systems

Anti-sway, anti-tilt, and synchronization control

Grounding and lightning protection

 

10. Surface Treatment & Anti-Corrosion Coating

10.1 Shot Blasting

Surface treatment to Sa2.5 standard

10.2 Painting

Zinc-rich epoxy primer

Epoxy intermediate coating

Polyurethane or heavy anti-corrosion topcoat

Special coating for humid and underground environments

 

11. Factory Assembly & Comprehensive Testing

Partial or full factory assembly

No-load functional testing

Static load test (125% rated capacity)

Dynamic load test (110% rated capacity)

Synchronous lifting and safety system verification

 

12. Packing & Transportation

Modular disassembly for easy transport

Electrical systems packed in moisture-proof crates

Steel structures securely protected for long-distance shipping

 

13. On-Site Installation & Commissioning

Rail installation and leveling

Gantry crane erection and alignment

Electrical connection and system integration

On-site commissioning and performance testing

 

14. Final Inspection & Project Acceptance

Full operational acceptance testing

Delivery of:

Quality certificates

Load test reports

Operation & maintenance manuals

Operator training and after-sales service support

 

 

 

Material Inspection

Quality Inspection: Strict quality inspection is carried out on the purchased raw materials to ensure that they meet the design requirements and national standards.

Material Storage: Qualified materials are stored according to classification to prevent corrosion or damage.

Cutting and Forming

Steel Cutting: Use plasma cutting, laser cutting or flame cutting and other technologies to cut the steel according to the size of the design drawing.

Forming Processing: Form the steel plate through bending, rolling, welding and other processes to manufacture the main beam, end beam and other structural parts.

Welding

Component Welding: The cut and formed steel parts are welded into the main structures such as the main beam, end beam and trolley. The welding process needs to be strictly controlled to ensure the structural strength and welding quality.

Weld Inspection: Use non-destructive testing technology (such as ultrasonic testing, radiographic testing) to inspect the welds to ensure that there are no cracks or other defects.

Machining

Precision Machining: Precision machining is performed on the key components of the crane, such as wheel sets, bearing seats, pulleys, etc., to ensure their dimensional accuracy and surface quality.

Assembly of the whole machine

General assembly: On the basis of pre-assembly, the overall assembly of the crane is carried out, including the final installation of the main beam, end beam, lifting mechanism, walking mechanism, etc.

Commissioning and testing

Under dynamic conditions, the operating performance of the crane is tested, including the testing of lifting, walking, steering and other functions. The overall size of the assembled bridge crane is checked to ensure that all dimensions meet the design requirements.

Spraying and anti-corrosion treatment

Surface treatment Rust removal: Rust removal on the surface of the crane, common methods include sandblasting, pickling, etc. Primer spraying: Spray anti-corrosion primer on the treated surface to prevent metal oxidation and corrosion. Topcoat spraying Color spraying: Spray topcoat according to customer requirements or industry standards to give the crane a protective and decorative effect. Marking: After spraying, mark the crane's identification information in accordance with the specifications, such as model, rated load, etc.

Factory and installation

Packaging and transportation

Packaging protection: Protectively package the key components of the crane to prevent damage during transportation. Transportation arrangement: According to the equipment size and transportation conditions, select a suitable transportation method to transport the crane to the customer's site.

Acceptance and delivery

Customer acceptance

On-site acceptance: The customer conducts on-site acceptance of the crane according to the contract requirements and technical specifications to check the performance and quality of the equipment.

Problem rectification: If any problems are found, the manufacturer needs to rectify them in time to ensure that the equipment fully meets the customer's requirements. Delivery and use Operation training: The manufacturer usually trains the customer's operators to ensure that they can operate the crane correctly and safely.

Hot Tags: gantry crane for shield, China gantry crane for shield manufacturers, suppliers, factory