Glass Manufacturing Industry Cranes
Low-impact, high-precision lifting that protects glass
In the glass manufacturing industry, lifting is never just about capacity. Large sheets and finished products may weigh several tons, but they still require controlled, low-impact handling to help prevent microfractures, edge damage, surface marking, and product loss. That is why Street Crane engineers glass plant crane systems around stable travel, smooth hoisting, and application-specific lifting attachments to support safe, reliable handling of raw materials, tooling, and finished glass products.
Designed and manufactured in the UK, Street Crane overhead crane systems combine robust mechanical engineering with advanced Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) control technology to deliver the smooth, predictable motion that glass handling demands without compromising long-term reliability.
With 80 years of lifting expertise and ISO 9001 quality management systems, Street Crane works closely with operations, engineering, and maintenance teams to provide practical crane solutions backed by responsive support and long-term engineering accountability.
Speak with our sales team today at (864) 589 4150 or complete the inquiry form to discuss your glass manufacturing lifting requirements.
Cranes
We have a large range of pre-engineered cranes to meet the needs of almost all industrial applications up to 250 tons capacity.
Components & Hoists
Designed for ease of crane assembly anywhere in the world, Street Crane kits include everything needed to build a complete overhead crane except the steelwork for the main bridge girder.
Spares & Servicing
Only genuine Street parts will ensure the lifelong productivity and reliability of your lifting equipment. Street parts are available from our warehouses in the UK and the USA. We also supply through our network of official distributors around the globe.
Overhead cranes engineered for glass handling
Street Crane overhead crane systems are engineered for precise, repeatable motion and long-term industrial reliability.
In glass manufacturing applications, that means designing for smooth acceleration and deceleration, predictable crane movement, stable travel, and the correct integration with below-the-hook lifting devices and handling attachments. The goal is to help operators position loads accurately while minimizing shock loading on both the product and the crane structure.
Where facilities have restricted building height due to process or environmental requirements, Street Crane optimizes crane and hoist configurations to maximize usable hook height and safe operating clearances. In congested production areas, we engineer crane coverage and travel paths to integrate efficiently with surrounding production flow without creating operational bottlenecks.
Key design considerations
Glass handling succeeds or fails on control. Our VFD-based motion control supports soft start and stop, programmable speeds and micro-speed positioning for the final approach into racks, coaters and processing machines. Where large sheets are vulnerable to sway, we specify control strategies that help keep the load stable and vertical, reducing the risk of contact damage and improving placement accuracy.
For abrasive, dusty areas such as batching, we consider component protection and practical maintenance access, because uptime and cleanliness directly affect operating cost and safety performance.
Just as importantly, we design around the attachment. Vacuum lifters, padded clamps and mechanical grabs introduce their own load paths, pickup points and safety requirements. We engineer the crane, hoist, controls and lifting accessory as one system, with clear operational logic that supports safe lifting and reduces operator strain.
Glass sector crane solutions
ZX Single and Double Girder Cranes
ZX Underhung Cranes
Special cranes and engineered lifting attachments for glass-specific handling
Gantry and semi-gantry cranes
Where outdoor storage, vehicle loading, or building structures limit the feasibility of overhead runways, gantry and semi-gantry cranes provide robust coverage with capacities from 1 to 200 tons. Rail-less semi-gantry designs can reduce civil work and eliminate a common trip hazard, while still providing practical lifting coverage across open areas.
LCS light crane systems
Jib cranes
"Regency Glass have a long working relationship with Street Crane, we expect quality products and services from our suppliers and that is exactly what Street Crane deliver. They fitted two 5t cranes to existing steel at our new 420,000 sq ft facility in Warrington and we couldn’t be happier with what they have provided"
Specialised features for safe glass handling
In glass manufacturing, the most valuable feature is predictable crane motion that helps protect both the product and the people around it. Advanced VFD-based controls provide smooth acceleration and deceleration to minimize shock loading, while low-speed micro-positioning supports careful placement into storage racks, coating lines, processing equipment, and production stations.
Where large glass sheets are susceptible to load swing, Street Crane can apply control strategies designed to improve load stability and reduce sway during travel. This helps operators maintain safe clearances, improve handling accuracy, and reduce the risk of contact damage.
Lifting attachments are treated as an integrated part of the handling system — not an afterthought. Street Crane systems can be engineered to work with vacuum lifters, padded clamps, mechanical grabs, and custom lifting beams, with clear control logic and robust mechanical integration to support smooth, repeatable, low-impact handling.
The result is safer load movement, reduced breakage risk, less cleanup and downtime, and more reliable long-term production performance.
Making advanced lifting practical for glass plants
Advanced control should make the job easier, not more complex. Our systems use VFDs to deliver programmable speeds and predictable motion profiles, helping you standardise handling, protect quality and maintain stable cycle times.rnrnDiagnostics and condition insight support maintenance planning and help reduce unexpected stoppages. Efficient hoist gearing and controlled motor management also support energy reduction and long-term asset life, improving total cost of ownership.
Let’s design lifting that keeps production moving
Whether you are upgrading an existing crane, adding a new processing line, or specifying lifting for a new bay, we will help you find the right crane, attachment and control strategy for your glass operation.
Call +1 864 589 4150 or Email usasales@streetcrane.com.
Get Started Today
Have any questions or want a quote please contact us