Everything You Need To Know About Tower Cranes
Cranes are the backbone of the construction industry. These important pieces of machinery are responsible for lifting heavy loads to vertical work areas so that construction crews can complete their assigned projects with ease.
There are many types of cranes available for use within the construction industry today, but tower cranes remain a popular option on many construction sites. Without the availability of tower cranes, high-rise office buildings and many iconic landmarks would not exist.
Tower Crane Models
There are two primary types of tower cranes available to construction crews. The first is the Luffing Jib tower crane. These cranes feature a jib arm that pivots up and down, much like a ground model crane. The second type of tower crane is one that is most commonly used on construction sites today. It is the Trolley Jib tower crane. These cranes get their name from the trolley assembly that helps to position a load at various locations along a horizontal jib arm.
Both types of tower cranes can be beneficial, but a Trolley Jib tower crane offers maximum control overload location and distribution for large construction projects.
A Solid Base
The efficiency and safety of any tower crane begins with the integrity of its base. The base serves as the foundation of the tower crane, so it must be capable of supporting the weight of the crane and the loads that the crane will be lifting on a daily basis.
Crane bases are typically constructed of poured concrete paired with heavy-duty anchor bolts and embedded stools. These components ensure that the crane will remain firmly in place throughout the duration of the construction project the tower crane is serving.
It Takes a Team
Because tower cranes are such large pieces of machinery, they can be extremely dangerous if they are not operated with the utmost efficiency. Smaller types of cranes might be able to function with a single operator, but it takes a team of individuals to coordinate each lift with a tower crane. An appointed person assesses risk and manages the planning of each lift. A crane coordinator schedules each lift to ensure there are no collisions mid-air. The signal person acts as a second set of eyes for the primary operator.
Signal persons communicate directly with the primary operator to identify which direction the load needs to move. The primary operator is responsible for the actual movement of the tower crane. For more information, contact a company like Bogner Construction Co.