Lifting machinery used in bridge construction projects can generally be classified into four main categories based on their structure and performance: light and small lifting equipment, bridge-type cranes, jib-type cranes, and cable cranes. Light and small lifting equipment includes jacks, pneumatic hoists, electric hoists, balance hoists (also known as balancers), and winches. Bridge-type cranes include beam cranes. Jib-type cranes include stationary rotary cranes, tower cranes, truck cranes, tire cranes, and crawler cranes. Cable cranes include elevators.
Based on lifting nature, cranes can be classified as mobile cranes, tower cranes, and mast cranes.
Based on drive method, cranes can be classified as either centralized drive (using a single electric motor to drive a long drive shaft to drive the two drive wheels) or separate drive (each drive wheel is driven by a separate electric motor). Medium and small-sized bridge cranes often employ a "three-in-one" drive system, integrating the brake, reducer, and motor into a single unit. For large-capacity ordinary bridge cranes, universal couplings are commonly used in the drive unit for ease of installation and adjustment.
Based on structural form, cranes are mainly classified into light and small lifting equipment, bridge-type (bridge cranes, gantry cranes), jib-type (self-propelled, tower cranes, portal cranes, railway cranes, floating cranes, mast cranes), and cable-stayed cranes.
