- Aug 20, 2025
- Case Studies
5-ton LD Bridge Cranes for Hong Kong Terminal
Discover the efficiency of 5-ton LD bridge cranes designed for Hong Kong Terminal. Enhance your operations with powerful lifting solutions that get the job done!
A terminal in Hong Kong needed reliable, space-saving overhead cranes to move and temporarily store merchandise between multiple shuttle racks. We delivered 5-ton LD model single-girder bridge cranes equipped with two electric wire-rope hoists per crane.
What the Customer Needed at the Terminal
In order to reduce the time that ships spend in port, the customer built a temporary storage site consisting of a steel structure filled with shelves near the pier. Customers say that usually, once the ship arrives, they need to move the cargo to the storage site as soon as possible. However, due to the distance from the warehouse, it takes a lot of time to move the cargo, resulting in higher costs due to longer ship docking times. That's why they recently built this temporary storage site at the marina. The client wanted us to provide a cost-effective and durable solution as they had a limited budget.
5-ton LD Bridge Crane — The crane design we provided
Product overview — LD model single-girder bridge crane with dual wire-rope hoists
We supplied 5-ton LD bridge cranes configured with two independently controlled electric wire-rope hoists mounted on a single bridge. Key delivered components and design choices:
- Electric Wire Rope Hoists: Two electric wire-rope hoists (Yuantai CD style), each rated for up to 5 tons working load. Hoists are installed on a common trolley or on two trolleys depending on aisle width and load handling patterns, giving the operator the choice of using hoists individually or in coordinated mode for special lifts.
- Variable Frequency Drive: Variable frequency drive (VFD) controls for smooth acceleration/deceleration and energy-efficient travel and hoist speed control (improves precise placement in shuttle racks).
- Safety Devices: Safety devices and instrumentation including overload protection, anti-two-block, limit switches, rope condition access points, audible/visual alarms, and operator cabin or pendant ergonomics per ASME B30.2 and local regulatory best practice.
- Duty class: Duty class and materials sized to match the customer's cycle counts and load spectrum (ISO/Cranes duty classification applied during design; single-girder cranes are typically economical for light-to-medium duty profiles).
Why Offer a Double Hoist Design?
The double hoist design allows customers to use the crane with greater control, higher safety and more flexible maneuverability. It centralizes two lifting points on the same bridge, allowing customers to easily move long, heavy or irregular items.
1. Handling Long or Large Loads
Long or bulky items — think steel beams, pipe bundles, or turbine blades — will tilt or swing if lifted from a single point. Using two hoists lets you lift from two locations on the same load so it stays level and stable. That cuts the risk of damage and makes travel through tight spaces much safer for both your staff and the load.
2. Main and Auxiliary Hoist Combination
In many projects, cranes are fitted with a main hoist and an auxiliary hoist on the same bridge. The main hoist is used for heavy lifting, while the auxiliary hoist assists with lighter tasks such as load stabilization, turning, or precise positioning. This arrangement improves accuracy and efficiency, especially during assembly or installation work.
3. Load Distribution and Safety
Two hoists spread the forces across the bridge and runway instead of concentrating them on one point. That lowers stress on the crane structure and runway beams and reduces wear on components. The result is fewer repairs, a longer service life, and a smaller chance of accidentally overloading any single hoist.
4. Synchronized Lifting for Precision
When a lift needs to be perfectly level or moved in millimeter increments, synchronized hoists are essential. Modern control systems let you move both hoists exactly the same amount at the same time, so the load stays flat and predictable. This precision is crucial when fitting large equipment or molds where even small misalignment can cause costly delays.
5. Flexibility in Operations
Two hoists give you operational choices: run them together for dual-point lifts or operate them separately for different tasks on the same shift. That flexibility reduces crane idle time and lets you handle a wider variety of jobs without swapping equipment.
6. Rotation and Load Turning
When loads need to be rotated or flipped, two hoists make the task much safer. Operators can attach the hooks at different points on the load, then carefully lift and turn it without risking sudden swings or dropping.
Advantages of the Product We Provided
The 5-ton LD Bridge Crane we supplied is built for real terminal work. It gives more usable lifting height, keeps project costs down, and speeds up repetitive moves inside tight spaces.
1. Wire-Rope Hoist Benefit
The use of wire rope hoists provides additional headroom because the wire rope is neatly wrapped around the drum, thus reducing the overall height of the hoist. Wire ropes also cope well with continuous repetitive lifting operations and run smoother at higher operating speeds, resulting in shorter cycle times and more stable loads during transfers. Maintenance is also simple: regular inspections of the rope and drum ensure the reliability of the hoist.
2. Single Girder Bridge
Single girder overhead cranes use less steel and smaller dollies, which can reduce crane manufacturing costs and transportation costs. Due to its low rail load, it saves the customer installation costs as well as any structural reinforcement the building may require. Simpler dollies and travel units also reduce maintenance and parts costs over time. Compliance with the CMAA Single Girder Crane Code ensures clear quality standards, resulting in affordable cranes for light to medium duty operations such as loading and unloading and frequent short distance movements.
3. Flexibility with Two Hoists
Two independently controlled hoists on one bridge allow operators to load and unload nearby shuttle racks without moving the bridge as frequently. This shortens cycle time and idle. The second hoist serves as operational redundancy, reducing production impact from hoist maintenance or failure. Operationally, this corresponds to measurable throughput gains in high-frequency short-move scenarios common in terminals.
Yuantai Girder Overhead Cranes for Light and Medium Lifting Duties
Comparison of Different Designs of 5-ton LD Single Girder Overhead Cranes
In comparison to alternative possibilities, the LD single-girder bridge crane is a practical and efficient choice when evaluating lifting solutions in the 5-ton capacity range. It lowers the dangers associated with manual handling, offers dependable coverage over a whole bay, and boosts productivity for light-to-medium production lines, warehouses, and workshops. Beyond lifting capacity, its real advantages include increasing headroom, reducing the need for structural alterations, and providing a longer service life at a lower total cost of ownership.
1. 5 Ton Wire-rope Hoist vs 5 Ton Chain Hoist
For the 5-ton range, a wire rope hoist often gives you the best blend of performance and durability. Wire rope saves headroom, lifts faster, and runs smoother, so it shines in repetitive or higher-lift work. Chain hoists stay attractive where space is tight and capacity is small, but at 3–5 tons they get heavier, slower, and harder to service. When you choose, think about duty cycle, lift height, and how often you'll run lifts each day. Also weigh initial cost against lifetime costs: wire-rope hoists usually cost more up front but last longer in medium-to-heavy use if you inspect and replace rope on schedule. If your environment has dust, heat, or corrosion, factor that into the hoist choice and your maintenance plan.
2. Single Girder vs Double Girder Decision
Decide between single and double girder by matching the crane to your loads, span, and required hook height. Single girder cranes suit most 5-ton jobs because they save weight, lower cost, and simplify maintenance. Double girder cranes add stiffness, higher hook travel, and are better for very wide spans or heavier, frequent lifting — which is why they're common above roughly 10–16 tons or for special applications. If you expect to scale up or need very precise handling, plan for a solution that gives the flexibility you need and check with a structural or lifting engineer before you buy.
- Lifting Capacity: 1-32 ton
- Lifting Height: 1-50 m
- Span: 6-28.5 m
- Working Class: A3 - A5
- Working Temperature: 220-440V 50/60Hz 3Phase
- Lifting Capacity: 1-500 ton
- Lifting Height: 1-50 m
- Span: 7.5-31.5 m
- Working Class: A5 - A7
- Working Temperature: 220-440V 50/60Hz 3Phase
Other applications for the product beyond this customer
The crane was designed for the customer's application in this case, but this crane is suitable for a variety of other applications. Whether it's a fabrication shop, maintenance or repair shop, this crane is easily adaptable to a variety of applications.
1. Steel Fabrication and Plate Handling
Perfect for transferring assemblies, plates, and frames into storage racks or between welding and fabrication stations. In busy shop layouts, the low headroom profile and accurate hoist control increase placement accuracy and lower the chance of damaging fragile or partially finished assemblies.
2. Manufacturing Assembly Lines
In assembly factories, short, repetitive lifts and high cycle counts (M3/M4 duty) are typical. When performing hoist maintenance, the twin-hoist configuration enables balanced lifting of longer workpieces, simultaneous handling of subassemblies. This makes it very helpful in production lines for heavy machinery, appliances, and cars.
3. Rail/vehicle Maintenance Workshops
supports the lifting of structural elements, bogies, engines, and wheelsets when controlled tandem lifts and exact positioning are crucial. By ensuring balanced handling of asymmetrical loads, the dual-hoist function enhances workflow and safety in the workshop.
