Rubber-tyred Gantry Crane for Container Handling

A Rubber-Tyred Gantry Crane (RTG Crane) is a mobile lifting system designed for container handling, yard logistics, and heavy material movement. It runs on rubber tires instead of rails, which allows flexible movement across container yards, ports, rail terminals, and industrial storage areas. If you are planning a container yard, logistics hub, or outdoor storage facility, a rubber-tyred gantry crane gives you mobility, stacking efficiency, and adaptable operation without fixed rail infrastructure. At Yuantai Crane, we design and supply rubber-tyred gantry cranes for global applications. Our RTG cranes are built for container stacking, intermodal yard handling, and heavy-duty outdoor lifting. We provide customized configurations based on your site layout, lifting capacity, stacking rows, and working conditions.

Components of Rubber-tyred Gantry Cranes

1. Main Structure

The main structure of a rubber-tyred gantry crane is the large steel frame that supports all lifting operations. It includes the main beams, legs, and cross beams, forming a rigid portal structure that can span container lanes. The frame is usually built with high-strength steel and designed as a box or truss structure to handle heavy loads and resist wind forces in open container yards. A well-designed structure keeps the crane stable during lifting and traveling, which is very important when you are handling containers at height.

2. Hoisting Mechanism

The hoisting system is the core working part of the RTG crane. It includes the wire rope hoist, drum, motor, and the spreader used to lift containers. The spreader can lock onto standard containers (20ft, 40ft, or 45ft) using twist locks, which ensures safe and secure lifting. Modern systems often include anti-sway technology to reduce load movement during operation. This helps you place containers more accurately and improves overall handling efficiency.

3. Rubber Tyre Traveling System

Unlike rail-mounted cranes, RTG cranes move on rubber tires, which gives them excellent flexibility in container yards. The traveling system includes multiple sets of heavy-duty rubber tires, wheel assemblies, steering mechanisms, and drive motors. This allows the crane to move forward, backward, and even steer at angles. Some advanced models offer automatic steering or path guidance, which helps you move the crane efficiently between container rows.

4. Spreader System

The spreader is the part of the crane that directly connects to the container. It uses twist locks to grip standard container corners securely. Many spreaders are telescopic, which means they can adjust to handle different container sizes such as 20ft, 40ft, or 45ft containers. A reliable spreader ensures safe lifting, quick locking and unlocking, and efficient container handling during operations.

5. Power Supply System

The power system provides energy for all crane movements, including hoisting, trolley travel, and gantry travel. RTG cranes can use different power options such as diesel generators, electricity, or hybrid systems. In recent years, more customers prefer electric or hybrid RTGs to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Choosing the right power system can help you lower operating costs and meet environmental requirements.

Product Parameters

Key Features of Rubber-Tyred Gantry Crane

1. High Mobility and Flexible Operation

A Rubber-Tyred Gantry Crane (RTG) is designed to move freely on rubber tires, so you are not limited by fixed rails. This gives you strong flexibility in container yards where layouts often change. You can easily reposition the crane to different working areas, which improves yard efficiency and reduces idle time. This mobility makes RTGs a popular choice in ports, logistics centers, and intermodal yards where container flow is dynamic.

2. Advanced Control and Automation Options

Modern RTGs come with smart control systems that make operation easier and more precise. You can choose from manual control, remote control, or semi-automated systems depending on your needs. Features like anti-sway control, position detection, and automatic steering help reduce operator effort and improve accuracy during container placement. These systems also reduce the risk of damage and improve overall productivity.

3. Energy-Efficient Power Options

RTGs offer different power supply options to match your operating environment. You can choose diesel generator systems for full mobility, or opt for hybrid and electric (e-RTG) solutions to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Many modern designs use energy recovery systems that convert braking energy into usable power.

4. Durable Structure for Harsh Environments

The crane is built with high-strength steel and designed to handle tough working conditions such as wind, dust, and heavy daily use. Key components like wheels, motors, and electrical systems are protected with sealing and anti-corrosion treatments. This ensures long service life and reliable performance even in coastal or high-temperature environments.

5. Safety and Stability Design

Safety is a core feature of RTG design. The crane includes overload protection, emergency stop systems, limit switches, and anti-collision devices. It also uses a stable gantry structure with advanced load control to prevent sway during lifting and traveling. Wind speed alarms and rail clamps (for some designs) can also be added to improve safety in outdoor conditions. These features help you maintain a safe working environment for operators and equipment.

Rubber-tyred Container Gantry Crane Drawings

RTG Crane vs. RMG Crane

How to Choose Between RTG and RMG Crane

If your project needs flexibility and quick deployment, an RTG crane is usually the better choice because you can move it across different working areas without changing infrastructure. This is useful when your yard layout changes often or when you handle mixed cargo. If your operation focuses on high volume, fixed routes, and automation, an RMG crane is the smarter option because it delivers higher efficiency, lower long-term cost, and better performance in organized container blocks. In simple terms, choose RTG for flexibility and choose RMG for efficiency and automation.

How to get quotation?

Send us your RFQ including the parameters above, we will reply our quotation accordingly.