Container spreader applications
Container spreaders are lifting attachments, but the duty cycle decides the design. These are the industries and sites our spreaders work in.
One platform, many duty cycles
A quay crane spreader, a rail gantry spreader and a depot spreader may look similar. They are not. Vessel operations demand speed and skew control; rail yards need rotation to align container doors; depots need low deadweight and simple maintenance; heavy industry needs protection against dust, heat and impact. We start from the duty and configure the structure, drive, guide plates and controls to match.
In practice this means four decisions: the spreader family, the drive (electric, hydraulic or manual), the guide and alignment features, and the control and documentation package. A spreader that is right for a quay crane is rarely right for a 30-tonne overhead crane in a steel plant, even when the container size is the same.
Ports & container terminals
Quay cranes, RTG and RMG spreaders for vessel and yard operations.
Railway container yards
Rotary and weighing-ready spreaders that keep container doors aligned.
Logistics & container depots
Fixed-length and semi-automatic spreaders for steady, repetitive handling.
Steel & metallurgy
Heavy-duty spreaders and beams for coil, slab and billet handling lines.
Shipbuilding & offshore
Custom lifting attachments for hull blocks and large fabricated structures.
Mining & quarrying
Rugged spreaders and hooks for dusty, abrasive and remote sites.
Hydropower & energy
Lifting gear for penstocks, turbines and plant maintenance work.
Petrochemical plants
Corrosion-protected spreaders for coastal and chemical environments.
Typical spreader choice by site
| Site / industry | Typical host crane | Spreader type usually specified |
|---|---|---|
| Container terminal | Quay crane, RTG, RMG | Telescopic or twin-lift, electric drive |
| Railway container yard | Rail-mounted gantry, portal crane | Rotary telescopic with weighing option |
| Logistics depot | Reach stacker, gantry, mobile crane | Fixed-length or semi-automatic |
| Steel plant | Overhead travelling crane | Heavy-duty fixed-length, lifting beam |
| Shipyard | Gantry / portal crane | Custom beams, hooks and spreaders |
| Mine or quarry | Mobile / gantry crane | Rugged fixed-length, hooks and beams |
| Hydropower station | Bridge crane | Custom spreaders and lifting beams |
| Petrochemical plant | Bridge / portal crane | Corrosion-protected spreaders and hooks |
The table shows typical practice, not a rule. Final selection is made against the host crane data, the container mix and the site conditions, and is confirmed in the technical agreement.
Tell us the crane. We will size the spreader.
Send the host crane type, container sizes and working conditions. Our engineers will come back with a scheme, a drawing and an indicative price.