Method and system for lifting and manipulating a load

1. A system for lifting and manipulating a load, the system comprising:

a gantry crane comprising:

a support rail;

a support gantry; and

a gantry beam having a first end and a second end, the first end being coupled to the support rail and the second end being coupled to the support gantry;

a lifting platform secured to the gantry beam, wherein the lifting platform includes a substantially-vertical portion that wraps around the first end of the gantry beam and engages the support rail;

a lifting device disposed with the lifting platform; and

wherein, at least a portion of the load is transmitted, via the substantially-vertical portion, to the support rail thereby increasing a safe lifting capacity of the gantry crane.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a power supply disposed proximate to the support rail; and

a guard coupled to the lifting platform and extending below the power supply, wherein the guard prevents contact between a lifting cable and the power supply.

3. The system of claim 2 , further comprising a pulley coupled to a bottom region of the guard.

4. The system of claim 2 , wherein the power supply is a bus bar.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the lifting platform comprises:

a longitudinal member; and

a bridge member positioned substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal member.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the lifting device is coupled to the bridge member.

7. The system of claim 6 , further comprising a positioning winch, wherein the positioning winch moves the bridge member along a length of the longitudinal member.

8. The system of claim 5 , further comprising an auxiliary lifting winch coupled to the lifting platform.