A monorail crane moves a load vertically with a hoist and horizontally along a single monorail beam (straight or curved).

The hoist trolley rides a crane rail or enclosed track, forming an overhead monorail crane that delivers repeatable, point-to-point handling.

This monorail lifting system can be ceiling-mounted or freestanding, depending on the building structure.

Monorail cranes are common in assembly line and assembly operations for manufacturing, as well as in warehousing where loads transfer to a conveyor belt or shipping lanes.

Facilities that already run a workstation crane or broader overhead cranes often add a monorail system to streamline linear moves between stations.

Lifting range depends on the crane type, track, and hoist: light enclosed-track systems often handle lifting capacity in the 250–4,000 lb class, while heavy I-beam monorail cranes can be engineered for heavier loads in the multi-ton range.

All of these things affect how much weight the monorail crane can lift safely.

A monorail overhead crane shines for repeatable routes where you don’t need full area coverage. It’s typically simpler and lighter than an overhead bridge crane, so it can cost less and install faster.

If you require broad X-Y coverage, a bridge crane or bridge crane system is better; for spot handling or swing-arc coverage, a jib crane may be more appropriate.

Yes—engineers can add curves, spur lines, and multiple tracks to create work-cell branches, and align the rail with structural runways or support steel. A custom monorail crane system (or monorail hoist system) can also integrate with an overhead crane system to hand off loads between areas.

Often, yes. A monorail is a focused lifting solution—less steel, fewer moving parts, and simpler controls than many full-bay systems. That’s why many plants add monorail cranes alongside other special cranes when the job is linear and repetitive.

You can specify ceiling mounted monorail cranes (common where headroom and clear aisles matter) or freestanding frames when the building structure can’t carry the load. In some layouts, the monorail interfaces with existing structural runways or a companion ceiling crane.

Monorail cranes come in a few practical flavors: manual push/pull systems for lighter loads and short moves, and motorized systems when loads are heavier, travel is longer, or you want steady speed and control.

Straight rails for simple A→B runs, or curved rails with switches to branch into multiple work cells; enclosed-track designs for smooth, ergonomic, light-duty handling, and I-beam monorails for heavier duty and longer spans.

Follow ASME/OSHA best practices: do frequent checks plus periodic inspections of the track, runways, hoist, and supports of the crane system.

Many users coordinate with service providers for preventive programs and documented crane repair when wear or damage is found across overhead cranes in the facility.