Single Girder Overhead Travelling Crane, Economical Top Running Crane
Typical Chinese Style Wire Rope Hoist Cranes

The main difference between CD and MD hoist is the lifting speed control.

CD electric wire rope hoist:
- One lifting speed.
- Simple structure.
- Lower purchase cost.
- Suitable for normal material handling.

MD electric wire rope hoist:
- Two lifting speeds.
- Faster empty hook movement.
- Slow lifting for accurate positioning.
- Better for equipment installation and maintenance work.

Many customers ask: "Is MD hoist always better than CD hoist?" The answer is: It depends on the application.

If workers mainly move steel plates, frames, or production materials, CD hoist is usually enough. If workers install motors, machines, or precision equipment, MD hoist can save time and improve positioning control.

Yuantai engineers normally check:
- Number of lifting operations per day.
- Required positioning accuracy.
- Operator working habits.
- Future production requirements.

The correct hoist should match the work condition, not only the budget.

Choose the crane capacity based on the actual lifting requirement. Do not select only according to today's heaviest load.

Common selections:
- 3 ton crane → Small parts and maintenance work.
- 5 ton crane → General workshop handling.
- 10 ton crane → Steel structures, machines, and production materials.
- 15–20 ton crane → Heavier workshop applications.

Yuantai experience: Many customers say: "Our heaviest load is 4 tons, so we need a 5 ton crane." This is usually reasonable. However, we also ask: "What products will you handle after three years?"

In some projects, factories expanded after installation. They added larger machines. They produced heavier products. Then the original crane capacity became a limitation.

However, choosing a much larger crane also increases:
- Equipment investment.
- Runway beam load.
- Workshop structure requirements.

The best choice is not the biggest crane. It is the crane that matches the current work and allows reasonable future development.

A single girder EOT crane is suitable for workshops with enough headroom, proper runway support, and medium lifting duty. It works well when:
- The workshop has enough installation space.
- The crane runs several hours per day.
- The load stays within the rated capacity.
- The customer wants to control investment.

Typical applications include:
- Fabrication workshops.
- Mechanical processing factories.
- Equipment assembly areas.
- Maintenance workshops.
- Storage facilities.

Yuantai experience: Many installation delays do not come from crane production. They come from site preparation.

In one LD crane project, the crane system included runway rails and sliding line. However, when our engineer arrived, the supporting runway beam was not installed and had not been purchased.

The customer later purchased H-beam material locally and processed the runway structure. Because stiffeners and preparation work were missing, the customer spent around 10–15 days on fabrication, painting, and installation. The engineer also had to wait on site.

To avoid this problem, Yuantai recommends checking before shipment:
- Workshop photos.
- Runway beam condition.
- Installation space.
- Power supply.
- Lifting tools available on site.

A successful crane project starts before delivery, not after arrival.

The price of a single girder EOT crane depends on the complete project condition. The capacity alone does not decide the final cost.

Main factors include:
- Lifting capacity.
- Span length.
- Lifting height.
- Working duty class.
- CD or MD hoist selection.
- Electrical components.
- Control method.
- Installation requirements.

For example: A 5 ton crane with an 8 meter span is different from a 5 ton crane with a 25 meter span. The longer span requires:
- Stronger girder design.
- Higher wheel load calculation.
- More steel structure.

Yuantai experience: Some customers compare quotations only by total price. Later, they find different suppliers include different scopes. One quotation may include:
- Crane system only.
- Electrical parts.
- Installation accessories.
- Testing and commissioning support.

Before comparing prices, buyers should check the complete supply scope. A lower price does not always mean a lower project cost.

To prepare a correct quotation, customers should provide basic crane and workshop information.

Crane information:
- Lifting capacity.
- Span length.
- Lifting height.
- Crane travel distance.
- Indoor or outdoor installation.

Workshop information:
- Building height.
- Column spacing.
- Runway beam condition.
- Available installation space.

Working condition:
- Working hours per day.
- Lifting frequency.
- Load type.
- Required lifting accuracy.

Yuantai experience: A few workshop photos can help engineers identify problems before quotation.
Photos may show:
- Insufficient headroom.
- Missing runway beams.
- Limited installation space.
- Difficult lifting access.

In overseas projects, early confirmation saves time and avoids additional site costs.

The most common mistakes happen before installation.

1. Choosing only based on price
Some buyers select the lowest quotation. Later, they find differences in:
- Hoist brand.
- Electrical components.
- Supply scope.
- Installation support.

Always compare the complete specification.

2. Ignoring workshop preparation
The crane depends on the building condition. Before delivery, confirm:
- Runway beam.
- Power supply.
- Installation area.
- Lifting equipment.


3. Poor transportation planning under EXW terms
Yuantai experience: In one LD crane project, the customer arranged container loading directly at the factory under EXW terms. Because the crane parts were large, loading and fixing became difficult.
The solution was:
- Move cargo to a professional loading yard.
- Confirm fixing method before shipment.
- Select suitable container type if required.

For large crane equipment, transportation planning is part of the project, not only logistics.

The choice depends on capacity, working duty, and workshop conditions.

Choose a single girder EOT crane when:
- Capacity is usually 1–20 tons.
- Working duty is medium.
- The crane does not run continuously.
- Budget control is important.

Choose a double girder crane when:
- Loads are heavier.
- Working frequency is higher.
- Duty class requirements are higher.
- Higher lifting height is required.

Yuantai experience: Some customers believe: "A bigger crane is always better." Actually, it depends.
A double girder crane may provide higher capacity, but it also requires:
- Higher investment.
- Stronger runway support.
- More workshop structure consideration.

If a single girder crane already meets the working condition, choosing a larger crane may increase cost without adding real value.

The right crane should balance:
- Initial investment.
- Daily operation.
- Maintenance cost.
- Future production needs.

A properly selected single girder EOT crane can provide reliable service for many years.