Terminology standardization is the foundation of standardization work. In-depth study and understanding of crane terminology helps develop a systematic and comprehensive knowledge of crane equipment.A bridge crane is one of the ten major categories of cranes. It is defined as a crane whose bridge girder is supported on rails by traveling devices, or directly supported on a load-bearing surface.

Figure 1  European Overhead Crane

According to GB/T 6974.5-2023 Cranes — Vocabulary — Part 5: Bridge and Gantry Cranes, this study examines the “terminology and types” of seven categories of bridge cranes, including general-purpose overhead cranes, metallurgical overhead cranes, explosion-proof overhead cranes, electric single-girder cranes, electric hoist overhead cranes, and insulated overhead cranes.

I. General-Purpose Overhead Crane

• A general-purpose overhead crane (bridge crane for general purpose) refers to an overhead crane used for ordinary lifting operations in general working environments. Its load-handling device may be a hook, grab bucket, electromagnetic chuck, or a combination of one or more of these devices.

Its code is Q10401, and the applicable standard is the recommended national standard GB/T 14405-2011.

Figure 2 General-Purpose Overhead Crane

1 — Trolley; 2 — Bridge Structure; 3 — Crane Traveling Mechanism

Note: General-purpose overhead cranes do not include overhead cranes that use a hoist as the lifting mechanism.

• Stacking Crane: A stacking crane usually uses forks as the load-handling device. The forks are guided by a mast and are used to stack, retrieve, or store unit loads in warehouses or workshops.

The applicable reference standard is the recommended national standard GB/T 14405-2011.

Notes: The bridge stacking crane specified in Clause 3.2.8 of GB/T 6974.1—2008 — in which the forks are guided by a suspended mast — falls into this category of cranes. An example is shown in Figure 3.

GB/T 6974.1—2008 Cranes — Vocabulary — Part 1: General Terms.

II. Metallurgical Overhead Crane

• A metallurgical overhead crane (bridge crane for metallurgy) refers to an overhead crane that meets the special requirements of metal smelting, casting, rolling, hot working, and similar processes, and is directly used in the production process.

Its code is Q10402, and the applicable standard is the recommended national standard GB/T 14405-2011.

• Charging Crane: A charging crane is a metallurgical overhead crane that uses load-handling devices such as a charging chute or charging basket to charge materials into a converter or electric furnace.

Its code is Q10402, and the applicable standard is the recommended machinery industry standard JB/T 7688.3-1995.

Figure 4  Charging Crane(Source: GB/T 6974.5-2023)

1 — Crane Traveling Mechanism; 2 — Trolley 1; 3 — Trolley 2; 4 — Bridge Structure

• Forge Crane: A forge crane is a metallurgical crane used to lift and turn forgings, and is equipped with a buffering device.

Its code is Q10402, and the applicable standard is the recommended machinery industry standard JB/T 7688.3-2008.

• Slab Handling Crane: A slab handling crane uses slab clamps or electromagnetic chucks as the load-handling device, and is used for handling and stacking slabs.

Its code is Q10402, and the applicable standard is the recommended machinery industry standard JB/T 7688.4-2013.

Figure 5  Slab Handling Crane(Source: GB/T 6974.5-2023)

1 — Crane Traveling Mechanism; 2 — Bridge Structure; 3 — Trolley; 4 — Load-Handling Device

• Ladle Crane: A ladle crane is a metallurgical crane used for lifting and transporting molten metal.

Its code is Q10402, and the applicable standard is the recommended machinery industry standard JB/T 7688.5-2012.

Figure 6  Ladle Crane(Source: GB/T 6974.5-2023)

1 — Crane Traveling Mechanism; 2 — Auxiliary Trolley; 3 — Main Trolley; 4 — Bridge Structure

III. Explosion-Proof Overhead Crane

• An explosion-proof overhead crane is an overhead crane used in environments containing explosive gases or explosive dust, and is designed with explosion-proof performance.

Its code is Q10403, and the applicable standard is the recommended machinery industry standard JB/T 5897-2014.

• Bridge Crane for Clean Environment: A bridge crane for clean environment is an overhead crane used in a clean environment with specified cleanliness class requirements.

The applicable standard is the recommended machinery industry standard JB/T 14201-2022.

IV. Electric Single Girder Crane

• An electric single girder crane is a single-girder overhead crane that uses an electric hoist as the lifting mechanism and is intended for use in general environments.

Its code is Q10405, and the applicable standard is the recommended machinery industry standard JB/T 1306-2024.

Figure 7  Electric Single Girder Crane(Source: GB/T 6974.5-2023)

1 — Main Girder; 2 — End Carriage; 3 — Electric Hoist

• Electric Under Slung Crane: An electric under slung crane is an overhead crane that uses an electric hoist as the lifting mechanism, with the crane bridge suspended beneath the runway track, and is intended for use in general environments.

The applicable standard is the recommended machinery industry standard JB/T 2603-2024.

Figure 8  Electric Under Slung Crane(Source: GB/T 6974.5-2023)

1 — Electric Hoist; 2 — Bridge Structure

• Combinational Track Underslung Crane: A combinational track underslung crane is an overhead crane that uses an electric hoist as the lifting mechanism, where the electric hoist and crane travel beneath modular profile tracks, and is intended for use in general environments.

The applicable standard is the recommended machinery industry standard JB/T 10381-2013.

V. Bridge Crane with Electric Hoist

• A bridge crane with electric hoist is a double-girder overhead crane that uses an electric hoist as the lifting mechanism and is intended for use in general environments.

Its code is Q10406, and the applicable standard is the recommended machinery industry standard JB/T 3695-2008.

Figure 9  Bridge Crane with Electric Hoist(Source: GB/T 6974.5-2023)

1 — Electric Hoist Trolley; 2 — Bridge Structure; 3 — Crane Travelling Mechanism

VI. Isolation Bridge Crane

• An isolation bridge crane is an overhead crane used in smelting workshops for non-ferrous metal electrolysis, such as aluminum, magnesium, lead, zinc, and copper, and is designed with insulation protection against high electric currents.

Its code is Q10404, and the applicable standard is the recommended machinery industry standard JB/T 8907-2013.