Tower Crane Rentals and Sales Fontana - A popular machine within the materials handling family is the crane. 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. Cranes make transporting cumbersome loads including machinery, shipping containers and crates much easier.
Freight Transportation
Cranes simplify loading and unloading and moving items. The lifting capacity depends on the model. Cranes offer a great job site support and the mechanical advantage of an extended lifting capacity. Cranes are commonly found on construction sites and a variety of industries.
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 are numerous cranes suited for many different jobs. 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
A tower crane is a model that is fixed on a concrete slab to the ground. This model is commonly attached to the sides of structures. It offers precise height and lifting reliability. Commonly used for building residential and commercial tall buildings, the base is attached to the mast which may extend for further reach. The crane is capable of rotating thanks to the mast that connects to the slewing unit. Above the slewing component, the operator cab is situated, along with the long horizontal jib and the counter 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 contains the load to and from the crane’s center. Normally the crane operator stays inside of a cab found on top of the tower attached to the turntable; although, it may be mounted on the jib instead. There is a radio remote control feature that operators can access 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 sizeable horizontal arm contains the cargo hook along with its’ motor. Often, the operator works alongside a rigger to accurately coordinate unhooking and hooking loads. Daily safety requires many important hand signals. The rigger has an important job dictating the crane’s lifting schedule. They are responsible for making sure all rigging is reliable and safe.
Truck-Mounted Cranes
The boom and the carrier are two parts found on truck-mounted cranes. These two items have a turntable to attach them, allowing the higher portion the ability to swing from side-to-side. Modern hydraulic truck cranes are generally single-engine machines. The engine supplies power to both the undercarriage and the crane. Hydraulics are necessary for delivering power to the upper portion of the crane through the turntable located from the pump attached to the bottom portion. Original, older hydraulic crane truck models commonly featured dual engines. One engine allowed the crane to be pulled down the road while the other engine controlled the hydraulic pump for the jacks and outriggers. 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 laws may be in place regarding transportation. Typically, larger cranes are outfitted with trailers to help distribute the load over numerous 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 horizontally extend from the cranes’ chassis to provide stability. 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. There are electronic safeguards in place to regulate the maximum safe loads for traveling speeds and stationary work.
Overhead and Bridge Cranes
An overhead crane is often referred to as a bridge crane. This mechanism features a crane with a hook-and-line mechanism and horizontal beam that is designed to run along rails that are spaced widely. These cranes are similar to a gantry crane and are often found in long factory buildings and attach to rails that run down two long walls. Overhead cranes may feature single or double beam construction and may use regular steel or complex box girder 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. The box girder style produces a system with a lower deadweight but offers higher system integrity. The hoist is another item that is utilized to lift the cargo, the bridge spanning the portion covered by the crane and a trolley to move along the bridge.
The manufacturing process of the steel industry utilizes cranes frequently. Steel is typically handled by an overhead crane until it leaves the factory as a finished piece. An overhead crane handles all kinds of steel including raw materials being pored to transporting finished oils and storing hot steel. 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. Bridge cranes are used in the construction of paper machines as they facilitate the installation of giant equipment and apparatus including the cast iron paper drying drums and other massive 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. Telescoping sections are popular. There are models that have the ability to stow or load themselves without any operator instruction. 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
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 are available in many sizes and capable of moving heavy and cumbersome loads for industrial applications and in shipyards.
Tower Cranes PDF
