The Up And Down Of Tower Cranes
While they are used to construct some of the most prominent examples of architecture in modern civilization, tower cranes are often feats of modern engineering on their own. Tower cranes are a common sight on large construction sites and play a crucial role in the efficient and safe handling of materials during the construction process.
There are a couple of different tower crane types, including:
- Hammerhead
- Derrick
- Luffing Jib
- Self-Supporting
- Self-Climbing
- Traveling
No matter the type, once the final ribbon is cut on the final construction, that tower crane needs to come down again safely.
How Tower Cranes Are Constructed
Unlike mobile hydraulic cranes, tower cranes show up to the site disassembled in heavy hauling rigs. The site, as for any crane, needs to have a solid foundation. This is prepped beforehand for tower cranes, often with a concrete pad to bolt into.
Once foundation prep is complete and the tower parts are transported safely to the site, a mobile crane is required to assemble the base section, machinery, and jib. This core part of the tower crane contains all the necessary parts for it to begin building itself up.
Crane rental is fairly common due to costs. While tower cranes tend to remain on-site for more extended periods of time and may be owned by larger construction companies that specialize in large projects, the mobile cranes required for the initial construction are generally only needed for a day or two and are good candidates for renting.
Tower Cranes Can Grow As Needed
One of the distinctive features of a tower crane is its ability to "climb" as the building grows taller. This process, known as mast climbing, involves lifting the crane to a higher position using its own lifting mechanism. The general process for this mast climbing is as follows:
- Placing a counterweight on the jib for balance
- Detaching the slewing unit, which allows the crane to rotate horizontally, from the topmast and using hydraulic machinery to push the slewing unit up
- Using the crane itself to lift another mast section into the subsequent gap that has opened
- Bolting the lifted mast section into place and reattaching the slewing unit
Mast climbing can continue throughout the construction project to keep pace with the building's height and is only constrained by the stability of the crane foundation.
Removal Of Tower Cranes After Project Completion
For the most part, tower cranes disassemble themselves on site in the reverse process of how they grew. Disassembly begins with the jib or boom, which is lowered using the crane hoist mechanism, followed by the counterweights, and then, one by one, all of the mast sections added during the project.
Once all the mast sections have been lowered and the tower crane is back down to its bottom level, the slewing unit and base section are removed.
A mobile crane is often used to assist in the removal process. This crane can be positioned near the tower crane to support the lowering of components and facilitate their transport away from the construction site.
Mobile Hydraulic Crane Rentals
The best tools for operating a crane safely are experience, communication, and proper training. With over 40 years of moving and using cranes, Parker’s Crane Service has the expertise you need for safe, reliable crane operations, no matter the job site or weather
We pride ourselves on safety and our Zero Accident Philosophy and conduct many detailed safety measures when performing a job to ensure that no project carries unnecessary risk. We perform the following for every single job we take:
- Pre-lift Job Assessments
- Daily Risk Assessments
- On-site Hazard Analysis
- Routine Management Audits
With a fleet of well-maintained hydraulic truck cranes, we offer not only the best equipment but can also help with site installation, maintenance, and operation. Our crew is OSHA and MSHA-compliant to ensure your site and crew safety.
Parker's Crane provides quality crane rental, rigging, and heavy hauling services throughout the Carolinas and the East Coast. Contact us if you would like to discuss your needs and whether or not our services and equipment will work for your construction project. We provide free on-site quotes and evaluations and have experience with tower crane installations. With a fleet of hydraulic cranes available for rental with reach capabilities up to nearly 290 ft., we have what it takes to help with your project!