What Is a Crane Rail?
A crane rail, also known as an overhead crane rail or crane track rail, is a special type of steel rail. Crane rail is different from common steel rail because it is designed for the crane railway, where the wheel loads are concentrated and the rail head must resist severe wear. Depending on the type and application of the crane, crane rail can be divided into ordinary rails, special crane rails with a flat wide head, and square or rectangular section rails. The most common crane rail sections are the QU series.
QU Series Crane Rail Dimensions
According to track dimensions and rail sizes, the main crane rail products are QU70, QU80, QU100 and QU120. The table below lists the key dimensions and weights of each section.
| Section | Height mm | Head width mm | Bottom width mm | Web thickness mm | Weight kg/m |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QU70 | 120 | 70 | 120 | 28 | 52.8 |
| QU80 | 130 | 80 | 130 | 32 | 63.69 |
| QU100 | 150 | 100 | 150 | 38 | 88.96 |
| QU120 | 170 | 120 | 170 | 44 | 118.1 |
Characteristics of the QU Sections
Crane rails have a lower height and a larger head width and web thickness than ordinary rails of the same weight. This geometry increases the contact area with the crane wheel and provides a strong, wear-resistant running surface. QU70 and QU80 are used for light and medium crane loads, QU100 for heavy industrial cranes, and QU120 for the heaviest gantry cranes and port equipment. The sections follow recognized crane rail standards and are available with customized processing such as precision bending, special drilling, protective coating and custom cutting.
How Crane Rails Differ From Ordinary Rails
Ordinary railway rails such as 50 kg/m and 60 kg/m sections have a taller web and a narrower head because they are designed for high-speed trains and distributed loads. Crane rails are loaded by single crane wheels with high point loads, so they need a wide, flat head to spread the contact stress and a thick web to resist the vertical force. Crane rails are also frequently installed on steel girders, where the fastening system uses clamps and bolts rather than conventional sleepers.
How to Select the Right Section
Select the crane rail section according to the maximum wheel load of the crane, the span and duty class of the crane, and the support structure of the runway. As a guide, QU70 suits cranes with lower wheel loads, QU80 and QU100 cover most industrial overhead cranes, and QU120 is used for large gantry cranes and container handling equipment. Confirm the rail length, hole positions and surface protection requirements with the supplier before ordering.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the common crane rail sections? The most common sections are QU70, QU80, QU100 and QU120, plus square and rectangular section rails for special cranes.
How much does QU100 crane rail weigh? QU100 has a height of 150 mm, a head width of 100 mm and a weight of 88.96 kg per meter.
Why do crane rails have a wide flat head? The wide flat head spreads the concentrated wheel load of the crane and resists rapid rail head wear.
What is the heaviest QU section? QU120 is the heaviest common section, with a height of 170 mm and a weight of 118.1 kg per meter.
Can crane rails be processed after rolling? Yes, services such as precision bending, special drilling, protective coating and custom cutting are available.
