Custom Hybrid Gantry Crane for Professional Wood Artists
Working with large pieces of natural wood presents challenges that go far beyond the woodworking itself. Before a log can become a table, sculpture, or other one-of-a-kind creation, it must first be moved, positioned, and handled safely. Large hardwood logs, burls, slabs, and finished pieces often weigh far more than can be managed by hand, making a portable lifting system an invaluable addition to any workshop.
Engineered for Professional Woodworking
This hybrid aluminum gantry crane was custom engineered by EC&MW for a professional wood artist whose work required both exceptional lifting capacity and true portability.
Its lightweight aluminum construction allows the crane to be transported easily, while large pneumatic air-tire casters make it possible to move across:
Compacted gravel
Dirt roads
Construction sites
Other firm outdoor surfaces
This allows the crane to carry suspended loads in environments where traditional shop cranes simply cannot operate.
Stable Lifting on Uneven Ground
When terrain or working conditions don’t allow the crane to roll, integrated crank-down leveling jacks provide a stable lifting platform on uneven or sloping ground.
This combination of mobility and stability makes the crane ideal for outdoor woodworking operations, allowing professionals to safely lift and position heavy materials wherever the job requires.
10-Foot I-Beam for Maximum Flexibility
The crane features a 10-foot aluminum I-beam that provides full trolley travel across the entire span, allowing loads to be positioned precisely where needed.
The beam also provides sufficient clearance for a standard car-hauler trailer, making it easy to:
Load and unload hardwood logs
Move large tree burls
Position heavy timber slabs
Transport finished furniture and artwork for delivery or exhibition
Built for Wood Artist Rick Yoshimoto
The crane shown here was custom built for professional wood artist Rick Yoshimoto of Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Rick’s work celebrates the natural beauty and character of solid wood, with every piece uniquely crafted from carefully selected materials.
Examples of Rick’s work can be viewed at:
Ideal for Artists and Craftsmen
Although this crane was designed around one customer’s specific requirements, this style of portable gantry has proven exceptionally well suited for many industries, including:
Professional wood artists
Furniture makers
Cabinet shops
Wood sculptors
Artisan woodworking studios
Custom fabrication shops
Its combination of portability, outdoor capability, and lifting performance makes it an excellent solution for professionals who need reliable material handling both inside the workshop and in the field.
Custom Engineered for Every Application
Like every EC&MW aluminum gantry crane, this project was designed around the customer’s exact application rather than adapting the customer to a standard product.
The result is a lifting system that delivers the strength, portability, durability, and precision required by professional craftsmen, making it easier and safer to handle heavy wood materials throughout every stage of the creative process.
