Tower Crane Rentals and Sales Washington - Cranes are a globally recognized form of industrial equipment that is commonly used in the materials handling industry. Oftentimes, they are equipped with chains, wire ropes, a hoist rope or sheaves. These products allow cranes to hoist materials vertically and transport them horizontally. Heavy crates, shipping containers, machinery and similar items can be efficiently moved thanks to a variety of crane models.
Freight Transportation
Cranes can lift difficult loads to make unloading and loading safer and more efficient. Their lifting capacity varies depending on the model. Cranes deliver a major mechanical advantage, allowing people to lift tremendous amounts of freight. Cranes are popular in a variety of industries and found in many locations.
Specified Use
Small jib cranes are ideal for cramped environments such as workshops. Giant tower cranes are a different breed that is useful for high-rise construction. There is a crane perfectly suited for a variety of applications. Some cranes can allow access to tight spaces. Floating crane models may be employed to salvage sunken marine items including ships or used in oil rigs.
Tower Cranes
The type of crane that is fixed on a concrete slab is a tower crane. It is often seen attached to sides of structures as it provides excellent lifting and height capacity. Commonly used for building residential and commercial tall buildings, the base is attached to the mast which may extend for further reach. The slewing unit of the crane and it’s connected mast allow rotation of the crane. On top of the slewing portion are three parts known as the operator’s cab, the shorter counter-jib and the long horizontal jib.
The majority of the load is carried via the long horizontal jib. Concrete blocks may be used with the counter-jib to create the counterweight. The jib handles the load to and from the center of the crane. Typically, the operator is found inside of a cab located on top of the tower that is attached to the turntable; however, it can be mounted on the jib alternatively. Operators can use a radio remote control unit from the ground. The operator relies on electric motors to control wire rope cables in a system of sheaves and control the lifting hook. The long horizontal arm houses the cargo hook and its’ motor. The operator often works with a rigger to coordinate hooking and unhooking loads. Hand signals are a huge safety component used daily. The rigger determines the crane’s lifting schedule and is responsible to make sure everything load and rigging wise is reliable and safe.
Truck-Mounted Cranes
Truck mounted cranes consist of two parts including the boom and the carrier. These two pieces rely on a turntable to attach them and allow the upper portion to swing from side to side. Typically, modern hydraulic truck cranes feature single engines. This engine has the responsibility of providing power to the undercarriage and the crane. Hydraulics are responsible for providing power to the upper via the turntable from the pump mounted on the lower portion. Earlier hydraulic crane trucks commonly had two engines. The first engine enabled the crane to travel down the road while the second engine controlled the hydraulic pump for the outriggers and jacks. Some operators prefer the older dual-engine models since there are often turntable leaks many newer units.
Cranes often need to travel on roads to different locations, eliminating the need for industrial transportation unless there are size and weight restrictions. Local transportation laws are in place. Larger machines may have trailers to distribute the load over a variety of axles. Some models can be disassembled to meet specific requirements. A crane will often be followed by another truck containing the counterweights that are disassembled for travel.
Outriggers & Stability
Outriggers are extended horizontally from the chassis of the crane. Vertical stability is achieved by the outriggers to keep the machine level while completing hoisting and stationary applications. Specific crane truck models can slowly travel with a suspended load. Care is taken to ensure the load doesn’t swing sideways from the direction of travel. Most of the anti-tipping capability is related to how stiff the chassis suspension is. Counterweights can be moved and adjusted on certain models to enhance stabilization even more than what the outriggers deliver. Suspended loads are some of the most stable with most of the crane’s weight functioning like a counterweight. Safeguards are in place electronically to monitor the maximum safe loads for traveling speeds and stationary work.
Overhead and Bridge Cranes
An overhead crane is a kind of crane commonly called a bridge crane. This apparatus consists of a crane with a horizontal beam and a hook-and-line mechanism that is designed to run along widely spaced rails. These cranes are similar to gantry cranes that are typically found in factory buildings. They attach to rails which run alongside two walls. Double beam or single beam construction model crane designs are available for overhead cranes, which may rely on complex box girder beam or regular steel beams. A control pendant may be used to operate the crane. Areas that need heavy lifting around ten tons or more can rely on a double girder bridge. Higher system integrity and a lower deadweight may be delivered via the box girder style. Cargo can be lifted with a hoist and the trolley that can travel along the bridge along with the bridge component covered by the crane.
The steel industry is familiar with overhead cranes throughout the manufacturing process. An overhead crane typically handles steel until it exits the factory as a completed item. From raw materials to pouring hot steel and moving finished product, overhead cranes handle steel at every stage. Overhead cranes lift steel components onto trucks. Metal fabricators and stampers use this equipment every day including the auto industry to transport raw materials.
Pulp & Paper Mills
Pulp mill maintenance commonly relies on bridge cranes. They are responsible for removing items including heavy press rolls. Bridge cranes utilized in paper machine construction help to install large apparatus’ and equipment including huge components such as cast-iron paper drying drums and similar items.
Loader Crane
Powered with an electric articulated arm attached to a trailer or truck for loading and unloading, the loader crane is complete with many joints to facilitate folding the machine into a small space between jobs. Telescopic sections are common. Certain models are equipped to stow themselves or load themselves without any instruction from the operator The operator can move around the machine in order to view the load. Hydraulic controls that are mounted on the crane may work with a portable cabled control system and a radio-linked system.
Gantry Crane
A gantry crane features a hoist located on a trolley running horizontally along rails, often fitted on two beams or a single beam or in a fixed machinery house. The gantry system supports the crane frame with equalized beams. Wheels are running along the gantry rail, typically perpendicular to the direction the trolley travels. These cranes come in all sizes, and some can move very heavy loads, particularly the extremely large examples used in shipyards or industrial installations.
Tower Cranes PDF
