The base of the tower crane is typically bolted to a big concrete pad that provides really crucial support. The base is connected to a mast or a tower and stabilizes the crane that is affixed to the inside of the building's structure. Often, this attachment point is to an elevator shaft or to a concrete lift.
Typically, the mast is a triangulated lattice structure measuring 0.9m2 or 10 feet square. The slewing unit is attached to the very top of the mast. The slewing unit is made of a gear and a motor that enable the crane to rotate.
Tower cranes may have a max unsupported height of 80m or 265 feet, while the minimum lifting capacity of a tower crane is 16,642 kg or 39,690 lbs. with counter weights of 20 tons. Moreover, two limit switches are used to be able to make certain that the driver does not overload the crane. There is even one more safety feature known as a load moment switch to make certain that the driver does not exceed the ton meter load rating. Lastly, the tower crane has a maximum reach of 230 feet or 70 meters.
There is certainly a science involved with erecting a tower crane, particularly because of their extreme heights. First, the stationary structure needs to be brought to the construction site by utilizing a large tractor-trailer rig setup. Then, a mobile crane is used so as to assemble the machine part of the jib and the crane. After that, these parts are attached to the mast. Then, the mobile crane adds counterweights. Crawler cranes and forklifts can be a few of the other industrial machinery which is typically used to erect a crane.
When the building is erected, mast extensions are added to the crane. This is how the crane's height is able to match the building's height. The crane crew uses what is called a top climber or a climbing frame that fits between the slewing unit and the top of the mast. A weight is hung on the jib by the work crew in order to balance the counterweight. When complete, the slewing unit can detach from the top of the mast. In the top climber, hydraulic rams are utilized to adjust the slewing unit up an extra 6.1m or 20 feet. After that, the operator of the crane utilizes the crane to insert and bolt into position one more mast part piece.