Underhung Cranes

Underhung cranes travel beneath the runway beams, allowing loads to move throughout your facility without floor-mounted crane columns. With capacities up to 6 tons and spans up to 40 feet, they provide an efficient lifting solution where floor space and building layout are important considerations.

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Lift Heavy Loads Where Top-Running Cranes Don’t Fit

Underhung cranes travel beneath runway beams supported by the building’s structure. This makes them a practical option when ceiling height, clearance, or existing equipment limits your crane options.

This configuration provides several advantages:

  • Fits Lower-Clearance Facilities: Provides overhead lifting where available clearance may not accommodate a top-running crane.

  • Works Around Existing Equipment: Fits facilities where equipment and production layouts limit available space.

  • Keeps Floor Space Clear: Underhung cranes provide lifting coverage without adding floor-mounted support columns.

underhung crane

Choosing Between Underhung & Top-Running Cranes

The right choice depends on your building, load requirements, and available space. Here’s how underhung and top-running cranes compare.

Consideration Underhung Top-Running
Bridge Travel Beneath runway beams On top of runway beams
Building Support Requires adequate building support Can be building-supported or use a freestanding runway
Floor Columns Avoids floor-mounted supports Depends on runway design
Capacity Lighter duty Higher capacities
Span  Shorter spans Longer spans
Best Fit Clearance/layout-constrained applications Larger, heavier-duty lifting applications

Lifting Solutions Designed Around Your Facility

An underhung crane has to work with your building as well as your lifting requirements. Our team considers the complete system when designing your crane.

An underhung crane is shown in a shop.

Structural Capacity

Building structure, runway support, and load requirements.

crane inspection

Capacity & Span

Load requirements and the area the crane needs to cover.

Available Clearance

Available overhead space and required lifting height.

crane lifting steel

Duty Cycle

Operating frequency and lifting application demands.

crane lifting steel

Load Handling

Load type and required vacuum lifters, magnets, grabs or spreader bars.

Controls

Pendant, radio, and other control requirements.

overhead crane inspection

One Trusted Partner for Complete Overhead Crane Support

With RMH Systems, you have one team behind your underhung crane from initial design through ongoing support.

  • Installation & Commissioning: Professional installation and commissioning for a smooth transition into operation.

  • Inspections: Required overhead crane inspections to identify potential issues and help maintain safe operation.

  • Load Testing: Verification that your crane performs safely at its rated capacity.

  • Preventive Maintenance & Repair: Planned maintenance and responsive overhead crane repair to minimize downtime and equipment issues.

  • Upgrades & Modernization: Controls, hoists, and other upgrades to extend equipment life and meet changing operational needs.