Tower Cranes Grow to New Heights
During the 1950s in the tower crane industry, there were many important developments in the design of these huge cranes. Many different manufacturers were started producing bottom slewing cranes with a telescoping mast. These types of equipments dominated the construction market for both office and apartment block construction. Many of the leading tower crane manufacturers didn't use cantilever jib designs. In its place, they made the switch to luffing jibs and eventually, using luffing jibs became the regular method.
Manufacturers based in Europe were also really important in the development and design of tower cranes. Construction locations on the continent were often constricted areas. Relying upon rail systems to transport several tower cranes, became too expensive and difficult. A number of manufacturers were providing saddle jib cranes which had hook heights of 80 meters or 262 feet. These cranes were outfitted with self-climbing mechanisms that allowed parts of mast to be inserted into the crane so that it can grow along with the structures it was building upwards.
The long jibs on these specific cranes additionally covered a bigger work area. All of these developments led to the practice of erecting and anchoring cranes inside the lift shaft of a building. Then, this is the technique that became the industry standard.
From the 1960s, the main focus on tower crane development and design started to cover a higher load moment, covering a larger job radius, faster erection strategies, climbing mechanisms and technology, and new control systems. In addition, focus was spent on faster erection strategies with the most essential developments being made in the drive technology department, amongst other things.