Several industrial and commercial buildings could reach heights of more than 60 stories. Apparently, while these buildings are being built, they require equally tall cranes to move the supplies to the upper floors. There are cranes that have their own vehicle connected or other types that are operated from the back of trucks. Tower cranes are the largest kinds on the market.
Tower cranes are the stand-alone structures that are usually found on high-rise building projects. Often, they are part of a major city's downtown skyline. Wherever new construction such as apartment buildings and skyscrapers and commercial facilities like for example shopping center are being built, chances are a crane would be on site.
Types
There are two different types of cranes: boom crane or the jib crane. The jib is a metal frame which extends from the main section. On a flat tower crane, the jib remains horizontal when it carries items. On a luffing type of tower crane, the jib can ratchet to upward or downward angles. The lifting capacity for both kinds could range from 30 pounds to 10,000 lbs.
Body
The body of the crane is composed of a mast. This is a vertical steel frame that is a combination of individual sections. In order to increase the overall height of the equipment, parts are added. The mast extends upward to wherever the desired height is, to the control module, that is a small room which has glass windows on all four sides or to the tower as it is also referred to. The operator of the crane works from inside of the tower.
Lift
To raise supplies, the crane utilizes a braided metal cord. The cord extends all the way to the end of the jib or boom from a motor located next to the control module. There is a pulley system located at the end of the jib, through which the cord is positioned and lowered down. The jib that holds the cord becomes balanced by a counter jib situated on the opposite side of the tower. The counter jib holds weights. These weights help to prevent the crane from toppling over when lifting heavy supplies.