Tower Crane Rentals and Sales North Dakota - A popular machine within the materials handling family is the crane. These machines may be outfitted with sheaves, a hoist rope, wire ropes or chains. These items allow cranes to lower and lift items vertically while transporting them horizontally. Heavy crates, shipping containers, machinery and similar items can be efficiently moved thanks to a variety of crane models.
Freight Transportation
Cranes simplify loading and unloading and moving items. Different models have various lifting capacities. Cranes offer a great job site support and the mechanical advantage of an extended lifting capacity. Cranes are popular in a variety of industries and found in many locations.
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 is the right crane model available for numerous applications. They can help provide access to tight spaces. Floating crane models may be employed to salvage sunken marine items including ships or used in oil rigs.
Tower Cranes
The type of crane that is fixed on a concrete slab is a tower crane. This model is commonly attached to the sides of structures. It offers precise height and lifting reliability. These cranes are used in residential and commercial construction. The base is mounted to the mast which can create further reach by extension. The crane is capable of rotating thanks to the mast that connects to the slewing unit. On top of the slewing portion are three parts known as the operator’s cab, the shorter counter-jib and the long horizontal jib.
The majority of the load is carried via the long horizontal jib. The counterweight is created by the counter-jib that may utilize concrete blocks. The jib handles the load to and from the center of the crane. Typically, the operator is found inside of a cab located on top of the tower that is attached to the turntable; however, it can be mounted on the jib alternatively. The operator may rely on a radio remote control apparatus from the ground. The operator relies on electric motors to control wire rope cables in a system of sheaves and control the lifting hook. The long horizontal arm houses the cargo hook and its’ motor. The operator commonly works together with a rigger to safely hook and unhook loads. Hand signals are a huge safety component used daily. 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
Truck-mounted cranes feature two parts known as the carrier and the boom. These two items have a turntable to attach them, allowing the higher portion the ability to swing from side-to-side. Typically, modern hydraulic truck cranes feature single engines. The engine supplies power to both the undercarriage and the crane. Hydraulics are responsible for providing power to the upper via the turntable from the pump mounted on the lower portion. Original, older hydraulic crane truck models commonly featured dual engines. One engine controlled the hydraulic pump for the outriggers and the jacks while the other engine was responsible for the crane’s travel. There are operators who would rather run the older two-engine models due to the frequent turntable leaks that often occur in some of the newer designs.
Cranes commonly have to travel via roads to get to different jobs. This can eliminate industrial transportation requirements unless the crane is sizeable with certain weight restrictions. Local transportation laws are in place. Larger machines may have trailers to distribute the load over a variety of axles. There are some crane models that can be taken apart to accommodate particular requirements. Often an additional truck will follow the crane. The truck has the counterweights that have been disassembled for travel.
Outriggers & Stability
Stability is achieved by horizontal outriggers extending from the chassis of the crane. The outriggers help to vertically stabilize the machine and keep it level during stationary and hoisting jobs. Specific crane truck models can slowly travel with a suspended load. Extra care is taken to make sure the load does not swing side to side from the travel direction. Most of the anti-tipping capability is related to how stiff the chassis suspension is. Moving counterweights are included in a variety of models to amplify stabilization further than what the outriggers offer. 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
A bridge crane is a type of overhead crane. This apparatus consists of a crane with a horizontal beam and a hook-and-line mechanism that is designed to run along widely spaced rails. This type of crane resembles a gantry crane. They are common within factory buildings and attach to rails that run down two walls. Cranes can be made with single or double beam construction and may rely on complex box girders or regular steel beams. Certain overhead cranes have the ability to use a control pendant for operation. A double girder bridge can be used in places that require heavy lifting such as 10 tons or more. The box girder design creates a system featuring higher system integrity with a lower deadweight. The hoist can lift the cargo along with the bridge portion covered by the crane and the trolley that can travel along the bridge.
The manufacturing process of the steel industry utilizes cranes frequently. An overhead crane typically handles steel until it exits the factory as a completed item. 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. These telescoping abilities are useful. Some models can even load or stow themselves on their own without any operator intervention. The operator can move around the machine in order to view the load. Current models often feature a portable cabled control system or radio-linked system that works beside hydraulic controls that are mounted on the crane.
Gantry Crane
A gantry crane has a hoist in a fixed machinery house or on a trolley that runs horizontally along rails, usually fitted on a single beam or two beams. 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. The gantry cranes are available in numerous sizes. Some models can move extremely heavy loads for industrial and shipyard applications.
Tower Cranes PDF