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UK-Wide · Heavy-Duty Lifting Systems

Double Girder Overhead Cranes

Granada Cranes designs, manufactures and installs double girder overhead cranes for heavy-duty industrial lifting across the UK. Built around two main bridge beams, these systems are specified where higher capacities, longer spans, greater lifting heights or more demanding duty cycles are required.

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Two main bridge beams
Higher capacities & spans
Demanding duty cycles
UK-wide design & install
Double girder overhead crane in a heavy industrial facility Double girder overhead crane installed on an industrial site

A double girder overhead crane provides a robust and efficient lifting solution for manufacturing facilities, steelworks, engineering sites, aerospace environments, fabrication plants, warehouses and heavy industrial operations. Whether you need a new crane, a replacement for an existing system, or advice on the most suitable configuration, Granada Cranes can help specify, install, test and maintain the right solution.

01 · Overview

What is a double girder overhead crane?

A double girder overhead crane uses two main bridge beams to support the hoist or crab unit. This design allows the crane to handle heavier loads, longer spans and more demanding lifting applications than many single girder crane systems.

Double girder cranes are commonly used where a site requires higher performance, increased lifting height or a more robust crane structure for regular industrial use.

Double girder overhead crane lifting a load

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Often suited to

  • Heavy manufacturing
  • Steel fabrication
  • Aerospace facilities
  • Automotive production
  • Engineering workshops
  • Foundries
  • Warehousing & logistics
  • Machinery handling
  • Heavy component movement
  • Regular high-demand lifting
02 · Suitability

When is a double girder crane the right choice?

A double girder overhead crane is usually specified when the lifting requirement goes beyond what is practical or efficient for a single girder system. It may be the right choice if:

You need to lift heavier loads
You require a longer crane span
You need greater hook height
The crane will be used regularly in production
The duty cycle is more demanding
The site handles large or awkward loads
A more robust hoist or crab unit is needed
The structure can support the runway system
You need a long-term lifting solution

Granada Cranes can review your lifting requirements, building structure, working area and operational demands before recommending the most suitable crane configuration.

03 · Design

Heavy-duty overhead crane design.

Double girder overhead cranes are used for heavier-duty lifting where strength, stability and long-term reliability are essential. The right design depends on the load, the working environment and the way the crane will be used day to day.

Granada Cranes can support the full specification process, helping you choose a crane system that is practical, safe and suitable for your site.

View Heavy Duty Cranes → View Crane Rail & Runway Systems →

Key specification considerations

  • Safe working load
  • Crane span
  • Hook height
  • Duty cycle
  • Building structure
  • Runway beam & rail requirements
  • Hoist or crab unit selection
  • Lifting & travel speeds
  • Power supply
  • Control method
  • Access for maintenance
  • Safety systems
  • Future servicing requirements
04 · Benefits

Benefits of double girder overhead cranes.

A double girder overhead crane can offer several advantages for industrial sites with heavier or more demanding lifting requirements.

Higher lifting capacities

Used where heavier loads need to be lifted and moved safely across a working area.

Longer spans

The two-girder design suits wider bays and larger working areas where a single girder system may not be the best option.

Greater lifting height

The configuration can provide improved hook height compared with some single girder arrangements.

Demanding duty cycles

For regular production use or heavier environments, a double girder crane provides a more robust long-term solution.

Flexible hoist & crab options

Can be specified with suitable hoists or crab units depending on the lifting application.

Long-term industrial support

Supported after installation with servicing, inspections, repairs, maintenance contracts and modernisation.

05 · Double vs Single

Double girder vs single girder overhead cranes.

The choice depends on the load, span, lifting height, duty cycle and site structure. Granada Cranes can help assess both options and recommend the right crane type for your site.

Double girder overhead crane configuration

Double girder

Usually more suitable for heavier lifting, longer spans, higher duty applications or where the site needs greater lifting height — often the better long-term solution in heavier-duty environments.

Single girder overhead crane configuration

Single girder

Often suitable for lighter and medium-duty lifting where one main bridge beam provides the required performance — frequently the most practical and cost-effective choice.

View Single Girder Overhead Cranes →

06 · Higher Capacity

Double girder cranes for higher capacity lifting.

Double girder overhead cranes are often selected for higher capacity lifting where strength, performance and reliability are essential — suitable where the crane needs to lift heavier loads regularly or operate across a wider span. Typical applications include:

Steel stock handling
Heavy machinery movement
Large fabricated components
Aerospace & automotive components
Tooling & mould handling
Heavy maintenance operations
Production line support
Loading & unloading heavy materials
View 20 Ton Overhead Gantry Cranes → View 30+ Ton Overhead Gantry Cranes →
07 · Hoists & Crab Units

Hoists and crab units for double girder cranes.

The hoist or crab unit is a critical part of any double girder overhead crane. The correct specification depends on the load, lifting height, duty cycle, travel requirements and working environment.

Granada Cranes can advise on suitable lifting equipment for your double girder crane, including wire rope hoists and heavier-duty hoisting arrangements where required.

Hoist and crab unit fitted to a double girder overhead crane
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Considerations can include

  • Safe working load
  • Lift height
  • Lifting speed
  • Cross travel speed
  • Long travel speed
  • Duty cycle
  • Control method
  • Maintenance access
  • Safety devices
  • Future servicing requirements
08 · Runway & Steelwork

Runway systems and supporting steelwork.

A double girder overhead crane must be supported by a suitable runway system and building structure — especially important where higher capacities, longer spans or heavier-duty applications are involved.

Granada Cranes can advise on runway beams, crane rails, supporting steelwork and structural requirements as part of a complete crane project.

34 tonne double girder crane runway and supporting steelwork
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This can include

  • Crane runway assessment
  • Crane rail specification
  • Gantry steelwork requirements
  • Building structure considerations
  • End carriage & long travel requirements
  • Installation access planning
  • Future maintenance access
  • Testing & certification requirements
09 · Installation

Double girder crane installation.

Installation must be carefully planned around the site, structure, access, lifting requirements and production environment. The crane, runway, hoist, controls and power supply all need to work together safely and efficiently.

Granada Cranes can support the full process, including site survey, crane specification, design, manufacture, installation, testing, certification and handover.

View Overhead Crane Installation → View Testing & Certification →

Our installation support can include

  • Site survey & requirement review
  • Crane design & specification
  • Runway & rail assessment
  • Supporting steelwork advice
  • Hoist or crab unit selection
  • Control system selection
  • Professional installation
  • Testing & certification
  • Handover documentation
  • Ongoing servicing & maintenance
10 · Industries

Double girder cranes for industrial environments.

Double girder overhead cranes suit a wide range of industrial environments where reliable heavy-duty lifting is needed. Granada Cranes can support double girder crane projects for:

Manufacturing
Engineering
Steel fabrication
Warehousing & logistics
Automotive
Aerospace
Offshore & energy supply chains
Heavy industrial production
Foundries
Maintenance & repair facilities

Whether the crane is needed for production, stock movement, machinery handling or general industrial lifting, Granada Cranes can help specify a system that fits the site and the application.

View Industrial Cranes → View Overhead Cranes →
11 · Servicing

Servicing and maintenance for double girder cranes.

A double girder overhead crane is a long-term investment, so servicing and maintenance should be considered from the start. Planned maintenance helps reduce unexpected downtime, identify wear and keep the crane operating safely.

Planned servicing
Maintenance contracts
LOLER inspection support
Hoist servicing
Brake checks
Wire rope inspections
Control system checks
Runway observations
Fault diagnosis
Repairs & replacement parts
Crane modernisation
View Crane Servicing & Maintenance → View Crane Maintenance Contracts → View Overhead Crane Repairs →
12 · Why Granada

Why choose Granada Cranes?

Heavier-duty lifting systems need to be correctly specified, professionally installed and supported throughout their working life.

Independent crane expertise

Experience across a wide range of overhead crane systems, hoists, components and industrial lifting applications.

Complete project support

From the first site survey through to design, manufacture, installation, testing and aftercare.

Practical specification advice

We help decide whether a double girder crane is right, or whether another configuration would suit better.

Heavy-duty capability

Support for demanding environments where capacity, reliability, duty cycle and long-term support matter.

Ongoing service & maintenance

Servicing, repairs, inspections, maintenance contracts and modernisation after installation.

13 · Get Started

Planning a double girder overhead crane project?

If you are planning a heavy-duty crane installation, replacing an existing crane or reviewing your lifting setup, Granada Cranes can help. To work through the requirements, it helps to know:

What you need to lift
Required safe working load
Approximate span
Required hook height
Building dimensions
Existing runway or rail details
Site layout
How often the crane will be used
Working environment
Any access restrictions
Whether servicing & testing support is required

Even if you do not have all of this information yet, our team can help you work through the requirements.

FAQs

Double girder overhead crane questions.

What is a double girder overhead crane?

A double girder overhead crane is a crane system that uses two main bridge beams to support the hoist or crab unit. It is commonly used for heavier loads, longer spans and more demanding industrial lifting applications.

What is the difference between single girder and double girder overhead cranes?

A single girder crane uses one main bridge beam, while a double girder crane uses two. Double girder cranes are usually better suited to heavier loads, longer spans, greater lifting heights or more demanding duty cycles.

When should I choose a double girder crane?

A double girder crane may be suitable if you need to lift heavier loads, cover a wider span, achieve greater hook height or operate in a more demanding industrial environment.

Are double girder cranes suitable for heavy-duty lifting?

Yes. Double girder overhead cranes are commonly used for heavier-duty industrial lifting applications where strength, performance and long-term reliability are important.

Can Granada Cranes install double girder overhead cranes?

Yes. Granada Cranes can support the full process, including site survey, specification, design, manufacture, installation, testing, certification and maintenance.

Do double girder cranes need special runway systems?

Double girder cranes need a suitable runway system and supporting structure. Granada Cranes can advise on crane rails, runway beams and gantry steelwork requirements as part of the project.

Can a double girder crane be maintained by Granada Cranes?

Yes. Granada Cranes provides servicing, maintenance contracts, LOLER inspection support, repairs and modernisation for double girder overhead cranes.

Is a double girder crane always better than a single girder crane?

No. The best crane type depends on the lifting requirement, site structure, span, headroom, duty cycle and budget. In some cases a single girder crane is the most practical solution; in others a double girder crane is more suitable.

Double Girder Cranes · UK-Wide

Speak to a double girder crane specialist.

Need a heavy-duty overhead crane system for your site? Granada Cranes can specify, install, test and maintain double girder overhead cranes for demanding industrial environments across the UK.

Contact Granada Cranes View Overhead Gantry Cranes