Portable gantry cranes are often used in environments where conditions cannot always be controlled. Construction sites, rooftops, wastewater facilities, marine applications, HVAC projects, industrial yards, and field service work may expose lifting equipment to rain, humidity, heat, cold, dust, and other outdoor conditions.
One of the advantages of an aluminum gantry crane is aluminum’s natural resistance to rust and corrosion. This makes aluminum an excellent material for portable lifting equipment that may occasionally be exposed to the elements.
However, corrosion resistance does not mean that weather conditions can be ignored. The crane includes more than its aluminum structure, and environmental conditions can affect casters, hardware, hoists, trolleys, electrical components, traction, stability, and safe operating procedures.
Understanding how different weather conditions affect your equipment can help extend its service life and, more importantly, help ensure safer lifting operations.
Can Aluminum Gantry Cranes Be Used Outdoors?
Yes. Aluminum gantry cranes can be used for many outdoor applications when the crane is designed for the intended environment and conditions are safe for operation.
Aluminum is a nonferrous metal, which means it does not rust in the same manner as conventional steel. EC&MW’s A-Frame aluminum gantry cranes are manufactured from 6061-T6 structural aluminum, providing a combination of strength, portability, and corrosion resistance.
For applications around water or in particularly corrosive environments, EC&MW can also provide options such as stainless-steel casters and hardware to further improve corrosion resistance.
This is one reason aluminum gantries offer advantages over steel gantry cranes for applications where portability and environmental exposure are important considerations.
Using an Aluminum Gantry Crane in the Rain
Occasional exposure to rain generally isn’t going to make the aluminum structure suddenly rust or compromise the crane simply because it became wet.
The bigger concern is everything happening around the crane.
Wet surfaces can reduce traction for operators and casters. Standing water can hide uneven ground or obstacles. Hoists, electrical components, winches, bearings, casters, and hardware may also have environmental limitations different from those of the aluminum frame.
After exposure to rain, operators should allow the crane to dry and inspect the equipment for:
- Water accumulation
- Dirt or debris around casters
- Corrosion on non-aluminum components
- Changes in caster or wheel operation
- Damage to electrical equipment
- Loose or damaged hardware
- Abnormal wear
Never assume that because the aluminum structure tolerates moisture, every accessory attached to the crane has the same environmental rating.
What About Snow, Ice, and Freezing Conditions?
Cold temperatures create a different set of concerns.
Snow and ice can make the operating surface extremely slippery and may prevent casters from rolling properly. Ice accumulation can also conceal uneven surfaces, holes, debris, or other hazards.
Before using a gantry crane in freezing conditions, clear the working area and make sure the crane has a stable operating surface.
Remove snow or ice accumulation from the crane before use and inspect the casters, trolley, hoist, pins, hardware, and moving components. Frozen or restricted components should never be forced into operation.
Operators should also verify that the hoist, trolley, casters, lubricants, and other accessories are suitable for the temperatures in which they will be used.
Using Gantry Cranes in Hot Weather
Heat can also affect lifting operations.
The aluminum structure itself may become extremely hot when exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods. Operators should use appropriate PPE and avoid assuming that exposed metal surfaces are safe to touch.
High temperatures can also affect certain caster materials, electrical components, batteries, lubricants, controls, and lifting accessories.
For unusually high-temperature applications, confirm that all components of the lifting system—not simply the aluminum frame—are rated for the expected environment.
Wind Can Be a Serious Concern
Wind is particularly important when using portable lifting equipment outdoors.
A gantry crane creates a relatively large structure above the ground, and a suspended load can become significantly more difficult to control in windy conditions. A load with a large surface area can behave like a sail, creating unexpected movement or side loading.
Do not attempt to compensate for unsafe wind conditions simply by adding more weight or having workers hold the load.
If wind conditions make it difficult to maintain complete control of the crane or suspended load, lifting operations should stop.
Thunderstorms and Lightning
Outdoor crane operations should not continue during lightning or dangerous electrical weather conditions.
EC&MW’s gantry crane safety guidelines specifically warn against using gantries where power lines or open electrical circuits are present and advise operators to remain aware of electrical weather conditions, including lightning.
If thunderstorms are approaching, stop operations and move personnel to an appropriate safe location.
A schedule is never more important than worker safety.
Does Weather Compromise an Aluminum Gantry Crane?
Normal environmental exposure does not automatically mean an aluminum gantry crane has been structurally compromised.
In fact, corrosion resistance is one of the primary advantages of aluminum gantries, particularly for outdoor, refrigerated, clean-room, water-treatment, and other demanding applications.
However, aluminum is corrosion-resistant—not maintenance-free.
Long-term exposure to salt, chemicals, industrial contaminants, dirt, moisture, or incompatible metals can contribute to deterioration of the overall crane system. Components manufactured from other materials may also corrode even when the aluminum frame remains in excellent condition.
This is why regular inspection remains essential.
Proper Storage of an Aluminum Gantry Crane
Whenever possible, store your gantry crane indoors in a clean, dry environment.
If the crane will be stored for an extended period:
- Clean dirt, mud, salt, chemicals, and other contaminants from the equipment.
- Allow wet components to dry thoroughly.
- Inspect the structure and hardware for damage or unusual wear.
- Check casters and wheels for proper operation.
- Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for the hoist and trolley.
- Keep removable electrical components protected from moisture.
- Avoid storing the crane where standing water can accumulate around the wheels or frame.
- Follow the storage and maintenance requirements for your specific crane model.
EC&MW provides gantry crane manuals for many of its models. Because custom cranes can have additional requirements, always follow the documentation supplied with your specific crane.
Inspect Your Gantry Crane Before Every Use
Weather exposure makes inspections especially important.
EC&MW recommends inspecting an aluminum gantry crane before each use for damaged, worn, or missing components. Operators should also make sure the wheels roll freely and that the path surrounding the crane is clear of obstacles.
After severe weather exposure or long-term outdoor storage, perform a particularly thorough inspection before returning the crane to service.
Look for unusual deformation, damaged welds, loose hardware, caster problems, damaged pins, deterioration of lifting components, and anything else that differs from the crane’s normal condition.
If there is any question about the structural integrity or safe operation of the crane, take it out of service until it can be properly evaluated.
Choosing the Right Gantry Crane for Outdoor Applications
The environment should be considered when selecting a gantry—not after it arrives at the jobsite.
A smooth concrete surface may call for a different crane and caster configuration than a construction site, gravel area, rooftop, wastewater facility, or marine environment.
EC&MW manufactures multiple portable aluminum gantry crane designs, including A-Frame, air pneumatic tire, removable-leg, and all-terrain configurations for different lifting environments.
The right combination of crane design, casters, hardware, hoist, trolley, and accessories can make a significant difference in both performance and longevity.
Built for Real-World Lifting Environments
Weather doesn’t necessarily prevent you from using an aluminum gantry crane outdoors. The key is understanding the environment, using equipment designed for the application, inspecting it regularly, and knowing when conditions make a lift unsafe.
Aluminum’s lightweight construction and corrosion resistance make it particularly useful for portable applications where equipment needs to move between indoor and outdoor jobsites. EC&MW has manufactured aluminum gantry cranes since 1997, including standard and custom lifting systems for industrial, HVAC, energy, wastewater, marine, construction, and specialized applications.
Need an aluminum gantry crane for an outdoor or challenging environment? Contact EC&MW to discuss the surface conditions, lifting capacity, required height, span, mobility, and environmental exposure involved in your application. The EC&MW team can help determine whether a standard model will meet your requirements or whether a custom gantry crane is the better solution.
