
Fast, local gantry crane rental in Wisconsin
Gantry crane rental made easy: view our 1–10 ton size chart with Wisconsin delivery and setup included. Get expert help, fast quotes, and reserve your crane today.
When you need precise, on-site lifting without bringing in a large mobile crane, a gantry is often the safest and most cost-effective choice. American Erecting & Ironworks offers gantry crane rental across Racine, Kenosha, and Milwaukee counties, as well as parts of Lake County, Illinois. Our team delivers, assembles, and levels the system, then provides a quick operation review so your crew can work with confidence. Whether you need a one-day lift or a month-long project, we tailor a solution that fits your timeline, site, and budget.
American Erecting & Ironworks is a second-generation, family-owned company based in Racine, Wisconsin. Incorporated on April 15, 1991, we bring more than 30 years of field experience to every job. Our fleet includes late-model cranes, tractor-trailers, forklifts, rough terrain telehandlers, and boom lifts. Our NCCCO-certified crane operators and rigging professionals keep safety at the center of everything we do. For details or to request a quote, call (262) 637-7177 or visit AEAIWI.COM.
1–10 ton gantry crane rental size chart
Use the following size chart as a quick guide when planning your gantry crane rental. Dimensions are typical ranges that cover most rental scenarios. Final specs may vary by model and configuration. Our team verifies your load, hook height, span, headroom, and floor conditions before delivery.
1 ton portable gantry
- Capacity: 1 ton
- Adjustable clear height: about 8 ft to 12 ft
- Typical span between uprights: 8 ft to 15 ft
- Approximate max hook height with chain hoist: up to 11 ft
- Casters: swivel, locking, floor-protective wheels available
- Configuration: aluminum or light steel, knockdown for doorways
- Assembly: about 30 to 60 minutes with 2 people
- Surface requirement: smooth, level slab or rated floor
- Best for: light machinery placement, pumps, motors, small HVAC units, shop maintenance
2 ton adjustable gantry
- Capacity: 2 ton
- Adjustable clear height: about 9 ft to 14 ft
- Typical span between uprights: 10 ft to 16 ft
- Approximate max hook height with chain hoist: up to 13 ft
- Casters: heavy duty phenolic or polyurethane with brakes
- Configuration: steel uprights with I-beam, manual push trolley
- Assembly: about 1 hour with 2 to 3 people
- Surface requirement: flat, clean concrete, check slab rating
- Best for: machinery moving in shops, equipment skids, conveyor sections, light transformers
3 ton shop gantry
- Capacity: 3 ton
- Adjustable clear height: about 10 ft to 16 ft
- Typical span between uprights: 12 ft to 18 ft
- Approximate max hook height with chain hoist: up to 15 ft
- Casters: heavy duty with directional locks for straight tracking
- Configuration: steel frame, manual or powered trolley, chain or electric hoist options
- Assembly: 1 to 2 hours with 3 people
- Surface requirement: smooth, level slab, no ramp or slope in travel path
- Best for: CNC moves, injection molds, gearbox swaps, line changeovers
5 ton heavy duty gantry
- Capacity: 5 ton
- Adjustable clear height: about 12 ft to 18 ft
- Typical span between uprights: 12 ft to 20 ft
- Approximate max hook height with low-headroom hoist: up to 16 ft to 17 ft
- Casters: high capacity with locking and wheel guards, optional track wheels
- Configuration: steel beam, optional motorized trolley, dual speed hoist available
- Assembly: 1.5 to 2.5 hours with 3 to 4 people
- Surface requirement: level reinforced concrete, verify slab thickness and point loads
- Best for: HVAC rooftop units staged at grade, medium presses, large pumps and blowers, tanks
7.5 ton extra capacity gantry
- Capacity: 7.5 ton
- Adjustable clear height: about 12 ft to 20 ft
- Typical span between uprights: 14 ft to 22 ft
- Approximate max hook height with low-headroom hoist: up to 18 ft
- Casters: extra heavy duty, often larger diameter for smoother rolling
- Configuration: rigid steel frame, powered trolley recommended for precise positioning
- Assembly: 2 to 3 hours with 4 people
- Surface requirement: level concrete, confirm floor loading, may require mats for load spread
- Best for: industrial machinery relocation, presses, structural components, heavier molds
10 ton high capacity gantry
- Capacity: 10 ton
- Adjustable clear height: about 14 ft to 22 ft depending on model
- Typical span between uprights: 16 ft to 24 ft
- Approximate max hook height with low-headroom hoist: up to 20 ft
- Casters: high capacity with precise leveling jacks, slow controlled rolling
- Configuration: heavy steel system, powered trolley and low-headroom electric hoist suggested
- Assembly: 2 to 4 hours with 4 to 5 people and a forklift assist
- Surface requirement: level reinforced slab with verified load rating, clear travel path, no expansion joints at pick point if possible
- Best for: generators, large HVAC air handlers, machinery bases, structural assemblies, short engineered picks
Not sure which size is right for your job. Call American Erecting & Ironworks at (262) 637-7177 with your lift details and we will match the correct capacity, span, and hoist package. You can also request specs through AEAIWI.COM.
What is included with your gantry crane rental
We supply a complete package so you are ready to lift safely and stay on schedule. Every rental is inspected and staged before delivery, and our team performs a quick setup check on-site.
- Configured gantry frame sized to your span and height
- Trolley and hoist matched to your load and headroom
- Leveling feet or jacks as required by model
- Caster brakes and wheel locks for controlled movement
- Basic rigging on request, such as slings, shackles, and beam clamps
- Operator familiarization and safety reminders at handoff
- Delivery, assembly, and pickup scheduled to your hours
American Erecting & Ironworks can also provide a full rigging crew, forklifts with or without rigger booms, rough terrain telehandlers, and genie boom lifts through our equipment rental division. Daily, weekly, monthly, and extended terms are available so you only pay for the time you need.
Delivery, setup, and coverage area
We deliver and set up gantry crane rentals across southeastern Wisconsin and nearby Illinois. Our primary service area includes Racine, Kenosha, and Milwaukee counties, and parts of Lake County in Illinois. For projects outside this area, call us to discuss options.
- Typical lead time: same day to 48 hours depending on size and accessories
- Site access: confirm door widths, overhead clearance, and floor capacity
- Setup time: 30 minutes to 4 hours based on size, with our crew handling assembly
- Pickup: scheduled immediately after you are finished, minimizing downtime
- After-hours support: weekend and holiday deliveries available by appointment
Our yard at 2108 Clark St, Racine, WI 53403 allows quick dispatch to job sites in the region. You get a local team with the tools and trucks to keep your project moving.
What we need to quote your gantry crane rental
Clear information helps us right-size the equipment and keep costs down. Include the details below when you call or message American Erecting & Ironworks.
- Load description and exact weight
- Load dimensions and estimated center of gravity
- Required hook height and minimum clear height at the pick
- Span needed between uprights and any aisle width limits
- Headroom available under obstructions such as pipes and lights
- Indoor or outdoor use and expected weather exposure
- Floor type, slab thickness if known, and slope or joints in travel path
- Pick, travel, and set locations with distances and turns
- Hoist preference, manual chain or electric, and voltage if electric
- Rigging gear requested, such as spreader bars or protective padding
- Schedule, shift times, and any weekend or holiday work
- Site contact for delivery and safety orientation
Safety standards and best practices
Safety is nonnegotiable at American Erecting & Ironworks. Our gantry crane rentals are inspected before every deployment. We supply equipment that meets applicable OSHA and ASME standards for overhead and gantry cranes and rigging hardware. When you request our crew, your project benefits from NCCCO-certified operators, qualified riggers, and lift planning support.
- Pre-lift inspection of gantry, hoist, trolley, and rigging
- Load test documentation available on request
- Tag lines for load control in tight spaces
- Travel only on level surfaces cleared of debris
- Never exceed the rated capacity or sideload the beam
- Use wheel locks and brakes during the pick and set
- Keep all personnel clear of suspended loads
If you are unsure about any step in your lift plan, we can provide on-site supervision or a full turn-key rigging service. Our goal is to help you work efficiently and without incident.
Gantry crane vs mobile crane: how to choose
Both options have a place in industrial and construction work. The right choice depends on access, load, and surroundings.
- Choose gantry crane rental when work is indoors or under a roof, there is a flat floor, and the lift path is short
- Choose a gantry when you need slow, controlled movement around machines or equipment
- Choose a gantry when there are overhead line restrictions or you need to pass through standard doorways in pieces and assemble inside
- Choose a mobile crane when the lift radius is long, the pick is outdoors at height, or the load must be set over a building
- American Erecting & Ironworks can provide both options and will recommend the safer, more economical path after reviewing your plan
Industries and projects we support
Our gantry crane rental program supports contractors, builders, and manufacturers across southeastern Wisconsin. Here are common applications we handle weekly.
- HVAC contractors: set air handlers, chillers, and rooftop units staged at grade
- Manufacturing: relocate CNC machines, lathes, presses, and molds with minimal downtime
- Utilities: handle pumps, valves, gearboxes, and generators in tight mechanical rooms
- Food and beverage: move stainless equipment safely with clean wheel options
- Warehousing: install mezzanine components and rack sections
- Construction: place beams and small structural assemblies where mobile cranes cannot reach
- Municipal: water treatment plant repairs and maintenance lifts
- Maintenance teams: motor swaps, gearbox changeouts, and line reconfiguration
Pre-job checklist for a smooth rental
Use this quick checklist to prepare your site and shorten setup time.
- Confirm your load weight and safe pick points
- Measure door openings, aisle widths, ceiling height, and hook height
- Mark the lift path and clear floor obstacles
- Verify slab capacity or consult building engineering if unsure
- Decide where the gantry will be assembled and how it will enter the work area
- Arrange power if using an electric hoist
- Stage rigging and any protective materials for finished floors
- Assign a competent person to oversee the lift and spot the load
- Schedule delivery and pickup within your access window
- Review safety procedures with the crew before the first lift
Flexible rental terms and transparent pricing
American Erecting & Ironworks offers daily, weekly, monthly, and extended contracts so you can align the rental to your project phase. Your quote will detail the gantry size, hoist type, rigging, delivery, setup, and pickup. If your scope changes, call us and we will adjust the plan. Weekend and holiday scheduling is available when downtime is critical.
We also rent forklifts with or without rigger booms, rough terrain telehandlers, and genie boom lifts. Bundling these items with your gantry crane rental often reduces overall cost and speeds up your job. Ask our team for a package price that covers your full material handling plan.
Why choose American Erecting & Ironworks
Choosing a partner with the right experience matters. Our family-run operation has helped Wisconsin contractors and manufacturers complete complex lifts since 1991. We combine practical jobsite knowledge with a modern fleet and strict safety standards.
- Local expertise: based in Racine and focused on southeastern Wisconsin and nearby Illinois
- Proven experience: over 30 years serving contractors, builders, and manufacturers
- Complete fleet: late-model cranes, tractor-trailers, forklifts, telehandlers, boom lifts
- Certified people: NCCCO-certified crane operators and qualified riggers
- Flexible terms: daily to extended rentals with weekend and holiday options
- Turn-key options: delivery, setup, rigging crew, and lift planning available
- Responsive support: fast quotes, on-time deliveries, and clear communication
From small shop moves to large plant projects, American Erecting & Ironworks is ready to help you plan and execute a safe, efficient lift.
Contact us for a fast quote
Ready to schedule your gantry crane rental or need help sizing the right unit. Call our team or visit us online for a quick turnaround quote.
- Phone: (262) 637-7177
- Address: 2108 Clark St, Racine, WI 53403
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM
- Website: AEAIWI.COM
American Erecting & Ironworks is committed to safe, high-quality service and customer satisfaction. Tell us about your timeline, site conditions, and load, and we will make your next lift straightforward from delivery to pickup. Reserve your gantry today and keep your project on track.
