Portable Cranes

Portable cranes are bridge-style lifting systems mounted on castors. They move around a workplace to lift and reposition loads without permanent installation.

Explore our full range of portable gantry cranes below, or use the guide to match a unit to your loads and site.

When to Use a Portable Crane

Mobile cranes suit workplaces with limited space and changing load sizes. They lift and hold a load in place while it is worked on, fabricated, or assembled. That makes them useful for maintenance on hard-to-reach machinery, work in confined spaces, and outdoor yards. When the job is done, the crane moves aside and frees up the floor.

Types of Portable Crane

Portable cranes cover several mobile designs. Each suits a different balance of capacity, portability, and setup.

Moveable Aluminium Gantry Crane: A lightweight aluminium unit designed to be moved with the load suspended, where the rating allows. Suits work that shifts position mid-task.
Foldable Aluminium Gantry Crane: Folds down for transport and storage, with capacity up to 1,500kg and lift height up to 4 metres. Suits service teams and multi-site work.
Portal Lateral Stand (Aluminium): An add-on for the aluminium gantry range. It supports the beam when the standard stand cannot sit directly behind the load, opening up more working positions.
Steel Gantry Crane (Balken): A high-tensile steel unit for heavier, repeated duty. Adjustable in height, mounted on castors, and built for workshop and factory use.
Counterbalanced Workshop Cranes: Use a counterweight to lift without a wide base, which suits tight floor spaces.

If you are not sure which design fits your site, our team will match one to your loads and working conditions.

Which Portable Crane Is Right for Your Job?

Portable cranes vary by frame material, capacity, and how they move around a site. The right choice comes down to the loads you lift, where you work, and how often the crane needs to relocate. We can help you decide between aluminium vs steel portable gantry cranes.

	Aluminium	Steel (Balken)
Weight	Lightweight; packs down for transport and storage	Heavier; built from high-tensile steel
Corrosion Resistance	Corrosion-resistant, suits damp or outdoor sites	Standard steel; needs more care in wet environments
Capacity	Up to around 1,500kg	Up to around 1,500kg, with greater frame strength
Best for	Multi-site work, service teams, confined or remote access, fast setup	Heavy-duty workshop and yard use where durability matters

Choose aluminium gantry cranes when mobility and quick assembly matter most. Choose steel gantry cranes when the frame needs to take heavier, repeated duty in a fixed location.

For a fuller breakdown, read our guide to aluminium vs steel gantry cranes.

Portable Crane Capacity Guide

Portable crane capacity runs from light-duty units through to 1,500kg. Match capacity to your heaviest load, with a margin above it, to protect both the equipment and the operator.

Duty level	Load Range	Typical Use	Common Frame
Light	Up to 500kg	Workshops, maintenance, smaller components	Aluminium
Medium	500kg to 1,000kg	Fabrication, assembly, general handling	Aluminium or steel
Heavy	1,000kg to 1,500kg	Larger loads, repeated lifting	Steel

*Specify a crane rated above your heaviest load, not at it. If your loads sit near the top of a band, move up to the next one.

Let Us Do the Heavy Lifting

Portable cranes play an important role in material handling, but their technical limits must be respected and the equipment used as intended. Our engineers and technical staff help you choose the correct unit for your loads and site, so your operation stays safe and efficient.