Harbour Portal Crane Cabin Requirements: Design, Dimensions & Safety Guide

Safe and orderly Harbour Portal Crane operation requires an appropriate control method. The five operating methods for lifting machinery are Crane Cabin control, pendant control from ground level, remote control, remote operation, and unmanned operation.

Crane Cabin control requires a space specifically designed, manufactured, and equipped for operating a crane, either on the crane or as close to it as possible.

This article summarizes the Crane Cabin and control station requirements relevant to a Harbour Portal Crane under GB/T 20303.4-2025, Cranes—Cabins and Control Stations—Part 4: Jib Cranes.

The standard is a modified adoption (MOD) of ISO 8566-4:1998. It was issued on August 29, 2025, took effect on March 1, 2026, and completely replaced GB/T 20303.4-2006. The previous edition, GB/T 20303.4-2006, Cranes—Cabins—Part 4: Jib Cranes, was an identical adoption (IDT) of ISO 8566-4:1998.

1. Scope of the Harbour Portal Crane Cabin Requirements

The standard specifies basic requirements for the cabs and control stations of harbour portal cranes defined in GB/T 6974.1-2008, Cranes—Vocabulary—Part 1: General. It also covers cab construction, operator seats, controls, protection, and appearance quality. It applies to cabs and control stations used on harbour portal cranes.

Definition

A harbour portal crane, as defined here, is a crane with a jib other than a tower crane, mobile crane, railway crane, floating crane, deck crane, or offshore platform crane. Its code is Q10300 according to GB/T 20776-2023. This category includes portal cranes, semi-portal cranes, pedestal cranes, high-pedestal cranes, fixed cranes, derrick cranes, and harbour portal cranes.

For the KS Crane product range, the relevant machine is the harbour portal Crane, a typical slewing-harbour portal crane with a gantry-type structure that travels on rails. It integrates lifting, slewing, luffing, and traveling functions for cargo handling at ports, docks, and shipyards.

2. Harbour Portal Crane Cabin: Basic and Structural Requirements

1. The Crane Cabin and control station shall comply with GB/T 20303.1-2016, Cranes—Cabins and Control Stations—Part 1: General.
2. Cab dimensions shall not be less than the minimum internal clear dimensions shown below. Relative to the seat index point (SIP), a point in the central vertical plane of the seat, the clear internal height L3 shall be at least 1700 mm, the clear width L2 at least 1000 mm, and the clear depth L1 at least 1500 mm.

1. The total internal volume of the cab shall be at least 3.1 m³. Its volume and dimensions shall accommodate the permitted number of people in the cab and allow the operator to sit and stand as required.
2. The Crane Cabin structure shall have sufficient strength and rigidity, and its connection to the Harbour Portal Crane shall be safe and secure. The structure and its connection points shall withstand the working loads generated by personnel, electrical control equipment, auxiliary facilities, and maintenance activities, as well as the dynamic loads generated during crane operation. This is a new requirement intended to prevent falls and protect the operator.
3. Where required, the operator shall have a direct view of the areas above the operator's head and below the operator's feet.
4. The cab shall be fitted with an electrical outlet to facilitate maintenance work.

3. Crane Cabin Operator Seat

The seat shall meet the following requirements according to the actual operating conditions:

1. It shall be stable and comply with the minimum dimensions shown below.

1. It shall be easy to adjust to a comfortable seating position and capable of being locked in both the horizontal and vertical directions.
2. The overall backward tilt angle shall be between 3° and 7°. Horizontal adjustment forward or backward from the middle position shall be at least 80 mm, and vertical adjustment upward or downward shall be at least 30 mm.
3. It shall have a comfortable inclined backrest that supports the operator's back.
4. Its surface layer shall provide good breathability.
5. It shall have vibration-isolating springs or another vibration-reduction device.
6. It shall have suitable cushioning and adjustable armrests.
7. Its construction shall allow personnel to enter and leave easily.

4. Crane Cabin Controls and Protection

1. The layout and characteristics of controls shall comply with GB/T 24817.1-2016, Cranes—Control Layout and Characteristics—Part 1: General, and GB/T 24817.4-2009, Cranes—Control Layout and Characteristics—Part 4: Jib Cranes. A new edition of the latter standard is under revision.
2. Measures shall be provided to prevent the cab glazing from falling outward as a complete panel. This is a new requirement intended to protect people below from falling glass.
3. The cab shall prevent rainwater from entering.

5. Appearance Quality

The new edition adds the following two requirements to improve cab appearance and product quality:

1. The Crane Cabin shape and finish-coat color should coordinate with the color of the Harbour Portal Crane. The finish coat shall be bright, complete, and uniform in color. It shall be free from surface roughness, incorrect paint, missed areas, wrinkles, pinholes, and severe runs.
2. Paint-film adhesion on cab metal surfaces shall meet quality grade 1 in GB/T 9286-2021, Paints and Varnishes—Cross-Cut Test.

References and Related Standards(Query of Chinese Crane Standards)

• GB/T 20303.1-2016, Cranes—Cabins and Control Stations—Part 1: General
• GB/T 20303.2-2021, Cranes—Cabins and Control Stations—Part 2: Mobile Cranes
• GB/T 20303.3-2016, Cranes—Cabins and Control Stations—Part 3: Tower Cranes
• GB/T 20303.4-2025, Cranes—Cabins and Control Stations—Part 4: Jib Cranes
• GB/T 20303.5-2021, Cranes—Cabins and Control Stations—Part 5: Bridge and Gantry Cranes
• GB/T 8591-2000, Earth-Moving Machinery—Seat Index Point
• GB/T 25624-2010, Earth-Moving Machinery—Operator's Seat—Dimensions and Requirements

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