Usually the base which is bolted into a big concrete pad provides the necessary support for a tower crane. The base is attached to a mast or a tower and stabilizes the crane that is connected to the inside of the building's structure. Often, this attachment point is to an elevator shaft or to a concrete lift.
The mast of the crane is normally a triangulated lattice structure that measures 10 feet square or 0.9m2. Connected to the very top of the mast is the slewing unit. The slewing unit consists of a motor and a gear which enable the crane to rotate.
Tower cranes are able to have a maximum unsupported height of 80m or 265 feet. The maximum lifting capacity of a tower crane is 16,642 kilograms or 39,690 lbs. with counter weights of 20 tons. In addition, two limit switches are utilized in order to ensure the operator does not overload the crane. There is even another safety feature known as a load moment switch to make certain that the driver does not surpass the ton meter load rating. Last of all, the tower crane has a maximum reach of 230 feet or 70 meters.
Because of their extreme heights, there is a science involved to erecting a crane. The stationary structure would at first need to be brought to the construction location by utilizing a big tractor-trailer rig setup. Next, a mobile crane is used in order to assemble the machinery part of the crane and the jib. After that, these parts are connected to the mast. After that, the mobile crane adds counterweights. Forklifts and crawler cranes may be a few of the other industrial machinery which is usually used to erect a crane.
Mast extensions are added to the crane when the building is erected. This is how the height of the crane 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 top of the mast and the slewing unit. A weight is hung on the jib by the work crew so as to balance the counterweight. When complete, the slewing unit is able to detach from the top of the mast. In the top climber, hydraulic rams are utilized to adjust the slewing unit up an additional 20 feet or 6.1m. Then, the crane driver uses the crane to insert and bolt into position another mast section piece.