For large building construction projects, tower cranes are utilized quite frequently. These machines are quite essential for heavy lifting as well as placing supplies and equipment. Tower cranes offer a unique configuration that offers many advantages over more conventional cranes. These advantages consist of: higher vertical lift, quiet electrical operation, reduced space requirements and increased capacities.
Hammerhead Crane
A hammerhead crane is another configuration which is most often associated with a tower crane. In this case, a long horizontal jib is connected to a vertical tower. One end of the jib acts as a counterweight and the other end of the jib extends horizontally over the worksite. There is a trolley on the hammerhead crane. This trolley holds the lifting cable and can travel along the length of the jib. The tower crane can operate anywhere within the jib's radius.
Self-Erecting Tower Cranes
Self-erecting cranes are usually assembled on location with the assistance of another crane. This provides a huge benefit in setup time and really saves time in equipment costs too. Self-erecting cranes are often remote-controlled from the ground, although there are several models which have an operator cab built onto the jib.
The self-erecting crane is usually freestanding to enable them the opportunity to be moved around. There are some models that have a telescoping tower that allows the crane to work at multiple heights without the need to reconfigure the tower.
Luffing Jib Tower Crane
The majority of urban work environments do not have enough space or clearance for the jib to rotate freely without existing buildings blocking its movement. A luffing jib tower crane is great for such tight spaces. Most tower cranes have a fixed horizontal jib. The driver can raise or lower a luffing jib in order to allow the crane to swing in a reduced radius.