Box Girders: Big Muscle, Light Frame

When your job calls for serious strength without piling on the pounds, box girders are your go-to. These systems bring the power with a lighter touch, making them a top pick for spans and capacities that push beyond the ordinary.

Most double girder overhead bridge cranes up to 60–65 feet in span are built using structural steel W-flange beams. They’re strong, they’re proven—but when you need to go longer, lighter, or need to ease the burden on your building structure, box girders pull their weight and then some.

Applications That Rely on Box Girders

  • Wire Mills

  • Coil Handling

  • Mold Handling

  • Metal Storage

  • Fabrication Shops

  • Stamping Operations

These industries demand performance. Box girders deliver it—day in, day out.

Why Choose a Box Girder Design?

Box girders shine when you’re working with:

  • Longer spans (beyond 65 feet)

  • Tighter weight restrictions

  • Cost concerns tied to structure and runway sizing

Thanks to a superior weight-to-span ratio, box girders can reduce the size and weight of the support structure required. That means lighter runway beams, smaller rails, and less structural steel overall. All of which translates to savings—upfront and long-term.

CraneWerks’ engineers size every girder with precision. We don’t guess—we calculate. Our team weighs every factor: span, lift height, headroom, frequency of use, and how hard the crane is going to work.

Double Box Girders Done Right

Double box girders have some real muscle. One of their major advantages? They can be shipped with end trucks pre-assembled. That’s less on-site labor, less setup time, and less hassle. Your crew will appreciate that.

And if you’re dealing with heavy-duty cycles or using a magnet as a below-the-hook device, double girders are almost always the right call. Just let us know upfront—magnet cranes take a beating and usually need to be built to CMAA Class D or higher.

8 Wheels. Double the Control.

In some situations, a four-wheel setup just won’t cut it. That’s where double bogie cranes come into play. These systems use eight wheels—four per side—to better distribute the load. This lets us dial down the rail size and, in some cases, even trim weight from the runway girders. That’s smart crane design in action.

Top Running Box Girders: Height without the Hassle

When hook height matters (and let’s be honest—it usually does), box girders deliver. Since the hoist and trolley ride on top of the bridge, not underneath, you gain maximum lift distance. This setup allows you to design lower buildings without giving up performance—a major win in new construction.

Pair these girders with electric wire rope hoists and you’ve got a solid, top-running system that’s built for reliability, speed, and long service life. Got a unique need? We’ve custom-fit electric chain hoists on box girders, too.

Mono Box Girders: Single, Strong, and Efficient

Even motorized, top-running single girders benefit from box girder construction when spans exceed 60–65 feet. These are often called mono box bridge cranes, and they pack the same light-to-span advantage as their double girder cousins.

Key benefits include:

  • Longer wheel and bearing life than underhung systems

  • High speeds—up to 200 FPM

  • Excellent headroom

  • Preassembled shipping options

  • Remote and pendant control options for safety

Ready to lift smarter?

Talk to the engineering pros at CraneWerks. We’ll help you spec the right girder style, hoist, and class rating—CMAA Classes A through E—to match your workload. Whether it’s a straightforward build or a full custom system, we’ve got the tools, the team, and the track record to get it done right.

→ Let’s build your crane the right way. Contact CraneWerks today.

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