Tower Crane Rentals and Sales Illinois - Cranes are a globally recognized form of industrial equipment that is commonly used in the materials handling industry. Depending on the application, cranes may have wire ropes, sheaves, chains or a hoist rope. 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 simplify loading and unloading and moving items. The lifting capacity depends on the model. Cranes deliver a major mechanical advantage, allowing people to lift tremendous amounts of freight. Cranes are found in many industries and often seen on construction sites.
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. They can help provide access to tight spaces. Floating cranes can be utilized for maritime applications such as salvaging sunken items or on 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 main component responsible for carrying the load is the long horizontal jib. The counterweight is created by the counter-jib that may utilize concrete blocks. The jib houses the crane’s load to and from the center. Usually, the operator of the crane resides in a cab situated on top of the tower, attached to the turntable; however, it may be capable of being mounted on the jib. Operators can use a radio remote control unit from the ground. The crane operator uses electric motors to operate the lifting hook and control wire rope cables within a system of sheaves. The cargo hook, along with its motor is found in the long horizontal arm. The operator commonly works together with a rigger to safely hook and unhook loads. Hand signals are a huge safety component used daily. The rigger dictates the lifting schedule for the crane and is responsible to ensure all loads and subsequent rigging is safe and reliable.
Truck-Mounted Cranes
The boom and the carrier are two parts found on truck-mounted cranes. These two pieces rely on a turntable to attach them and allow the upper portion to swing from side to side. Updated hydraulic truck cranes are typically single-engine units. The same engine is responsible for providing power to the crane and the undercarriage. Hydraulics are responsible for providing power to the upper via the turntable from the pump mounted on the lower portion. Original, older hydraulic crane truck models commonly featured dual engines. One engine controlled the hydraulic pump for the outriggers and the jacks while the other engine was responsible for the crane’s travel. Some operators prefer the older dual-engine models since there are often turntable leaks many newer units.
You may have witnessed cranes traveling on roads to travel from site to site. This can eliminate the need for industrial transportation requirements unless the crane is of sizeable weight with size 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. Typically, another truck with the disassembled counterweights will follow the crane.
Outriggers & Stability
Stability is achieved by horizontal outriggers extending from the chassis of the crane. The outriggers help to vertically stabilize the machine and keep it level during stationary and hoisting jobs. Certain truck crane models have the capacity to travel slowly while maintaining a suspended load. Care is given to ensure the load doesn’t swing during travel. Most of the anti-tipping capability is related to how stiff the chassis suspension is. Many models include moving counterweights to be adjusted to enhance stabilization farther than what the outriggers provide. Some of the most stable loads are suspended loads since the weight of the crane serves as a counterweight. Electronic safeguards are in place to monitor the maximum safe loads for stationary work and traveling speeds.
Overhead and Bridge Cranes
An overhead crane is often referred to as 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. Certain overhead cranes have the ability to use a control pendant for operation. A double girder bridge can be used in places that require heavy lifting such as 10 tons or more. Higher system integrity and a lower deadweight may be delivered via the box girder style. The hoist can lift the cargo along with the bridge portion covered by the crane and the trolley that can travel along the bridge.
The steel industry is familiar with overhead cranes throughout the manufacturing process. Steel is typically handled by an overhead crane until it leaves the factory as a finished piece. All steel is handled by an overhead crane from raw materials being poured to storing hot steel for cooling and transporting finished coils. Steel items are moved onto trucks via overhead cranes. Metal fabricators and stampers and the automobile industry rely on these machines.
Pulp & Paper Mills
Bridge cranes are often relied on for regular pulp mill maintenance including removing equipment such as heavy press rolls. Paper machines rely on bridge cranes during construction to install massive equipment including cast iron paper drying drums and other heavy apparatus.
Loader Crane
Electrically powered with an articulated arm attached to a trailer or a truck and specified for unloading and loading, the loader crane consists of many jointed components that enable the machine to be folded into a small space between uses. Telescopic sections are common. Certain models are equipped to stow themselves or load themselves without any instruction from the operator To complete viewing access of the load, the operator must move around the vehicle. Hydraulic controls that are mounted on the crane may work with a portable cabled control system and a radio-linked system.
Gantry Crane
There is a hoist on the gantry crane found in a fixed machinery house or a horizontal trolley that runs along rails often fitted between two beams or a single beam. The crane frame is supported on a gantry system with equalized beams and wheels that run on the gantry rail, usually perpendicular to the trolley travel direction. These cranes are available in many sizes and capable of moving heavy and cumbersome loads for industrial applications and in shipyards.
Tower Cranes PDF
