Cranes have a long history of being a staple in construction that reaches back thousands of years. Records indicate the ancient Greeks invented the first cranes and used them as early as 515 BC. Some reports indicate cranes were used for water irrigation in ancient Mesopotamia, thousands of years earlier. In fact, many ancient structures, if built today, would need to use some sort of crane. Today, different types of cranes can be found on almost any construction project, each one specializing in its own specific task.
To help you choose the right machine, we’ve broken down the different types of cranes (mobile and fixed) and their uses below.
1. CRAWLER CRANE
Unlike the wheeled carry deck cranes, crawlers are track vehicles. Instead of wheels, crawlers are built on an undercarriage fitted with a pair of rubber tracks. Though this limits the crawler’s turning capacity, the tracks make it possible to use on soft ground and sites with limited improvement without sinking. Some crawler cranes have an attached telescopic arm that allows it to change its size, making them highly adaptable on many terrains. Unlike carry decks, however, crawlers are best used for long-term projects due to their bulkiness, special set up, and need to be transported from site to site.
2. ROUGH TERRAIN CRANE
As the name implies, these cranes are used for pick and carry operations off-road and on rough terrains. A rough terrain crane is built similarly to a crawler crane, but instead of tracks, the undercarriage is outfitted with four large rubber tires that are typically equipped with four-wheel drive. Rough terrain cranes are also fitted with telescopic booms and outriggers to improve stability and make mobility much more manageable in tight and rough areas.
3. TRUCK-MOUNTED CRANE
Truck-mounted cranes are made up of two parts: the carrier (truck), and the boom (arm). Due to their unique build, they’re able to travel easily on the road with no unique set up or transportation equipment. Truck-mounted cranes are outfitted with counterweights and outriggers for stabilization, allowing them to move slowly while carrying a large load. Different versions of the truck-mounted crane exist; for example, special truck-mounted cranes are used for the inspection, maintenance, and building of bridges.
4. ALL TERRAIN CRANE
These cranes are perfect for remote construction sites with no road access. For example, they are commonly used for the installation of oil and gas pipelines, the erection of wind turbines, the lifting of heavy pre-cast concrete building segments and other construction and heavy haulage applications. All terrain cranes are some of the largest, most mobile cranes available today. They combine the best of both worlds: the mobility of truck mounted cranes and the maneuverability of rough terrain cranes. Generally, the all terrain crane has a four wheel drive system and is powered by one or two engines. The all terrain crane uses a hydraulically powered telescopic boom as the main lifting mechanism. The boom is the steel arm of the crane that holds the load. These innovative lifting machines offer all-around flexibility making this crane ideal for multi-use job sites.
5. TOWER CRANE
Commonly used in the construction of tall buildings, tower cranes are beautiful machines that offer amazing lifting capabilities. Due to their size, tower cranes are equipped with an operating cab that controls the entire crane. Tower cranes have their jib extending horizontally from the mast (tower part), which itself rests on a concrete base. A luffing jib is able to move up and down, while the fixed jib has an operating dolly that moves materials horizontally. The engine (called a slewing unit) that controls the rotation of the crane sits on the top of the mast.
HOW TO PICK THE RIGHT CRANE?
Picking the right crane involves figuring out the project’s terrain, the size of the project site, the weather, and the weight of the materials. You also want to consider the length of the project as some cranes, like the crawler crane, are better used for long-term projects than their counterparts. Once you have all of your project specs, you’ll be able to determine which type of crane you’ll need for a successful construction job.
“MSM GROUP” LLC BECOMES OFFICIAL DISTRIBUTOR OF “SANY” CRANES
“MSM Group” LLC became official distributor of SANY, the leading heavy equipment manufacturer in the world. Pre-order SANY cranes from wide range of load options and get it delivered in Q1, 2023. To learn more about MSM Industrial and SANY brand cranes, please contact us at 7718 1111.