gantry crane

A gantry crane is a type of bridge crane where the beam is supported by trestles that run on ground-level tracks. Cranes, in general, are machines designed to lift and move heavy objects horizontally. They differ from hoists, which are primarily for vertical lifting, and conveyors, used for bulk materials.12

The development of steam engines, internal-combustion engines, and electric motors in the 19th century led to the widespread application of cranes. Gantry cranes are a variation of bridge cranes, where instead of overhead rails, the bridge is supported by upright towers that move on ground rails. This design allows them to serve large rectangular areas and are often used indoors where overhead rails might be impractical.2