Because of the massive help that cranes bring into the construction industry, many variants of cranes have been invented in order to fulfill the demand for various situations.
Mainly, there are two types of cranes; Static and Mobile Cranes.
Static Crane
From the name itself, this type of crane is permanent. It lifts and transports items along a fixed path, and the structure is fixed to the ground or building.
Mobile Crane
A mobile crane is obviously the opposite of a static crane. This type of crane can be transported from one site to another. Some mobile cranes can do a “pick and carry” operation, in which they pick up the load and transport it to a new site using their treads or wheel structure.
Types of Static Cranes
Overhead cranes
There is really no clear definition to describe the exact features of an overhead crane because it can be designed to suit different uses and businesses. But in general, an overhead crane is a static crane that lifts heavy materials from one location to another. Some uses and features of an overhead crane include loading and unloading items from a truck, moving goods across a building faster than a tow motor or human labor, controlling the movements of bits or parts down an assembly line, and moving containers around a shipyard or railyard.
Tower cranes
Tower cranes are the type of crane that you always see along city skylines. Tower cranes are primarily used to construct immense structures like skyscrapers. A vertical tower, sometimes known as a mast, and an outstretched jib are the essential components of a tower crane.
Tower cranes also have three types:
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Luffing tower cranes
A luffing tower crane is appropriate for construction projects with limited space on either side of the site and the necessity for safety. A luffing crane’s jib can also be raised and lowered, allowing it to lessen the slewing radius.
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Self-Erecting Tower Cranes
A Self-Erecting Tower Crane (SETC) is a tower crane that can be quickly and readily erected on a site with limited space. These crane types operate from a fixed location. They must be safely installed on-site by qualified field engineers who are familiar with the systems to ensure safety and work precision.
A crane remote control is often used to operate a self-erecting tower crane, though an operator cab may be installed on the tower portion in some situations. Self-erecting tower cranes are best for light frame structures, but they can also benefit most projects that require a fixed position city tower crane.
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Level-Luffing Tower Cranes
This tower crane is considered unique compared to the other types. In order to shift the load, the pivot of its horse-head jib joins together and then bends up and in. While the crane luffs, it moves horizontally rather than vertically to keep the hook at the same level.
Types of Mobile Cranes
Crawler Cranes
Crawler cranes are the type of crane installed in an undercarriage with a set of tracks, or crawlers, that offer stability and mobility. This type of crane does light work for even the most difficult tasks. They come in various lifting capacities and can be used in a variety of tasks, including heavy-duty foundation work.
Crawler cranes have the great advantage of moving around on-site and doing each lift with minimal set-up time because they are stable on their tracks and do not require outriggers. Crawler cranes also have this added benefit of being able to travel with a load.
Rough Terrain Cranes
Rough terrain cranes, often known as “RT” cranes, are a type of mobile crane built for off-roading in complex settings like mud, snow, shallow waters, and other obstacles. This crane type is four-wheeled and has a telescoping feature for picking and carrying up to 165 tons. Rough terrain cranes are very ideal for maneuvering and lifting in limited spaces because of their small design. Sometimes, there are occurrences wherein a crawler crane would be more appropriate, but a smaller load capacity or navigation in limited is required; RT cranes are used instead.
All-Terrain Cranes
As the name itself suggests, an all-terrain crane can be used for different types of terrain and weather conditions. As a result, it has greater off-road/rough terrain mobility and can travel at high speeds on public roads and highways. It also has strong lifting capabilities, making it a winning combo.
Truck Cranes
Truck cranes are a type of mobile crane that features a boom-mounted to the bed of a truck. This type of crane is less adaptable, smaller, and is usually used to hoist lighter weights, and has a load capacity of up to 45 tons.
Carry Deck Cranes
Generally, carry deck cranes are made up of a spinning, telescopic boom attached to a compact flat platform with four wheels. These types of cranes have outriggers and can even lift loads weighing between 4 and 10 tons. As the name implies, carry deck cranes are used to transport items throughout a construction site by lifting and loading them onto the deck.
To finish it all, these different types of cranes, though to aid some construction works, are built to address other needs and situations in a construction site. So, now that you’ve learned everything there is to know about cranes, which one do you think you’ll need in your business and enjoy the most? We at Alibaton hope that this blog helped make your decision! We hope here at Alibaton that this blog served its purpose to help you decide! Want to know more about cranes? Get in touch with us. Let’s build a project together!