RTG Crane (Rubber Tyred Gantry)

How it works and the role of the operator cabin

Metagro designs and manufactures the operator cabin—not the crane itself. This article explains RTG cranes and shows how a well‑engineered cabin drives safety, visibility, and productivity in container yards.

What is an RTG Crane?

An RTG crane (Rubber Tyred Gantry crane) is a mobile gantry crane used to stack and move shipping containers in container yards and intermodal terminals. It travels on rubber tyres, straddling container stacks and traffic lanes. Because it is not tied to rails, an RTG offers flexibility in yard layouts and can be deployed where space or infrastructure is limited.

You’ll also hear the term intermodal crane or yard crane used in similar contexts. Another common yard solution is the RMG (rail‑mounted gantry) crane, which runs on rails. Compared to RMGs, RTGs trade some ultimate speed and automation readiness for layout flexibility and lower civil works.

Where Metagro fits: We supply the operator cabin—the safe, ergonomic workspace where the human controls the machine. We do not build the crane itself.

How an RTG Crane Works

An RTG crane spans container stacks with a tall gantry frame. A trolley travels across the gantry and carries a hoist with a spreader—the device that locks onto standardized container corners. Operators lift, travel, and lower containers into precise positions.

Structure: gantry frame, legs, and crossbeams.
Motion: the trolley moves laterally; the hoist raises and lowers; the entire crane drives on rubber tyres along the stack lanes.
Operations: typical moves include stacking (e.g., 6‑high plus a lane, known as 6+1), reshuffling, and truck/rail hand‑off. Duty cycles are intense, with frequent starts, stops, and fine positioning.

Environmental conditions: RTGs work in wind, salt‑laden air, heat, cold, rain, and at night. Visibility, ergonomics, and climate control inside the RTG cabin are therefore critical to safety and uptime.

Key Specifications & Configurations

RTG cranes vary by terminal design and operating philosophy. Common variables include:

Stack profile: often described as X+1, e.g., 7+1 means seven container rows plus one truck lane. Higher stacks increase capacity but demand precise visibility.
Power options:
- Diesel: widely used, easy to deploy.
- Hybrid: energy recovery to cut fuel and emissions.
- Electric RTG (E‑RTG): busbar or cable‑reel systems reduce local emissions and noise.
Control & automation features: anti‑sway, auto‑steering, path assist, obstacle detection, and OCR integration. Even with increased automation, the operator remains central for exceptions and safety oversight—making cabin design more important, not less.

RTG crane vs. Other yard solutions

Choosing the right yard equipment is always a trade‑off.

RTG vs. RMG: RMGs excel in highly automated, fixed rail yards. RTGs shine where flexibility and layout changes are frequent.
RTG vs. straddle carrier: straddles handle transport and stacking in one machine, but RTGs can offer higher stacking density in a given footprint.
RTG vs. reach stacker: reach stackers are agile and cost‑effective for smaller volumes. RTGs deliver lower operating cost per move at scale and higher stacking.

Terminals often adopt a mixed fleet. So you’ll often see more than one of these machines in a terminal.

Safety, Visibility & Operator Performance

RTG yards are busy and complex. Typical risk scenarios include:

Blind spots near trucks, twistlocks, and spreader corners.
Fatigue from repetitive motions, long shifts, and vibration.
Weather impacts—rain, fog, glare, and salt haze.
Noise from engines, hydraulics, and yard traffic.

The RTG operator cabin is therefore the most important human–machine interface on the crane. Clear sightlines, logical controls, correct seating posture, and stable climate directly improve safety, reduce errors, and support higher productivity.

The RTG operator cabin: Where efficiency is won

Visibility Engineering

Good cabin design starts with sightlines. Operators need to see the spreader, twistlocks, and landing spots without leaning or adopting in unsafe postures. Key elements include:

Glazing geometry that opens views to the load path and truck lane.
High‑performance glass with proper thickness, anti‑glare treatment, and heated panes where needed.
Wiper/washer systems and effective demist/defog to keep visibility in rain, spray, and cold.
Integrated lighting to reduce shadows and glare during night operations.

Result: fewer corrections, faster cycle times, and safer operations around trucks and ground staff.

Ergonomics & Fatigue Reduction

Hours in the crane operator seat demand ergonomic precision. Our approach considers body posture, reach envelopes, and micro‑movements:

Adjustable seat with lumbar support and damping.
Joystick and button placement that follows arm‑rest ergonomics to avoid shoulder lift.
Foot space and anti‑slip flooring for stable posture.
Vibration isolation to reduce cumulative strain.

Ergonomically optimized cabins help operators maintain concentration, lowering incident risk and improving consistency across shifts.

Climate & Noise Control

A comfortable, quiet cabin supports better decisions and smoother moves.

HVAC sizing matched to local climate and solar loads.
Marine‑grade filtration to deal with salt, dust, and diesel particles.
Thermal insulation to reduce HVAC power draw and hot/cold spots.
Acoustic insulation and sealing to cut engine and wind noise.

Safety & maintability

Cabins must be safe and easy to service:

Emergency egress and clear access paths.
Non‑slip surfaces, anti‑glare finishes, and guarded edges.
IP‑rated components and robust cable management.
Service access for screens, panels, and wipers without special tools.

Metagro cabin solutions for RTG harbour & terminal cranes

Metagro designs and builds (custom) operator cabins for harbour and terminal cranes operating in harsh marine environments. We work with terminals and OEMs to integrate the cabin into new cranes and replacements existing fleets.

What you can expect from a Metagro cabin:

Visibility by design: glazing and geometry tailored to your stack heights and work envelopes.
Ergonomics that fit your operators: seats, joysticks, arm supports, and HMI layout optimized for reach and posture.
Climate resilience: HVAC, filtration, insulation, and noise control engineered for your site conditions.
Integration support: OEM‑agnostic fitment, interface documentation, on‑site measurements, and installation guidance.
Lifecycle value: durable coatings, corrosion‑resistant materials, and spare parts support for long service life.

|Important: Metagro supplies the operator cabin and operator seat only. We do not manufacture the crane itself.

FAQ

What is an RTG crane used for?

RTGs stack and move containers in yards and intermodal terminals, providing high density and flexibility without rail infrastructure.

How does an RTG differ from an RMG?

RMG’s run on rails and suit fixed, highly automated terminals. RTG’s operate on tyres and adapt quickly to different layouts.

Can Metagro replace a cabin to an existing RTG?

Yes. We work OEM‑agnostically and provide on‑site measurement, interface documentation, and installation support.

RTG Crane: How it works and the role of the operator cabin

6 October 2025

Operator cabin manufacturer