A tower crane is a stationary device used to move large objects, often in construction or transportation. It has a fixed tower supporting a horizontal beam with cables to move objects. There are two types: standard and self-erecting. Tower cranes are rented or leased and require many safety precautions. In some cases, the crane tower can become a permanent part of a building.
A tower crane is a piece of equipment used to move or transport large objects. It is a stationary device, which means that the base of the crane moves. A large, fixed tower supports a horizontal beam, or jib, which sits on top of the tower to form an uneven letter “T.” A tower crane is often used in the construction industry to fix steel beams and other large construction components. It can also be used in the shipping or transportation industry to load and unload large freighters.
The base of the tower crane sits on a concrete pad, which can vary in thickness depending on the height and weight of the crane. Large anchor bolts are used to hold the base of the tower to the concrete, and they can also extend several feet into the ground. This keeps the tower secure to help reduce the risk of collapse.
The vertical tower extends dozens of feet into the air, and the boom rests on top. The longer section of the boom has cables attached to it to move or place objects below, while the shorter section of the boom extends away from these cables to act as a counterweight. Additional counterweights made of concrete or steel can be hung from the shorter section of the boom to adjust the balance of the crane.
An operator’s car is usually located where the boom meets the tower. The tower crane operator sits inside this car and uses a series of controls to swing the boom and move objects. A person on the ground or inside the building supervises the process of securing objects to the tower crane cables. This individual is known as a rigger, and he or she uses radio or hand signals to communicate with the crane operator.
There are two basic types of tower cranes, and they are generally classified based on how they are built. A standard tower crane is assembled with a smaller supplementary crane. A self-erecting tower crane contains a hydraulic base that forces sections of the tower to a specified height. A secondary crane is used to attach the jib before the hydraulic mechanism is activated.
Tower cranes are typically rented or leased for the duration of the project. They are known for their high cost and also for the large number of safety precautions required to prevent collapse or injury. In very tall or complex buildings, the crane tower can be left in place, where it becomes a permanent part of the building. This allows builders to successfully complete a project without the risk of damage caused by trying to remove a crane from a finished building.
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