For huge building construction projects, tower cranes are utilized rather frequently. These machinery are quite required for heavy lifting as well as positioning materials and equipment. Tower cranes provide a unique design which offers many advantages over more traditional cranes. These benefits comprise: higher vertical lift, quiet electrical operation, reduced space requirements and increased capacities.
Hammerhead Crane
A hammerhead crane is a different configuration that is most often associated with a tower crane. In this situation, a long horizontal jib is attached to a vertical tower. One end of the jib extends horizontally over the worksite and the other end of the jib acts as a counterweight. On the hammerhead crane, there is a trolley. This trolley holds the lifting cable and can travel along the length of the jib. The tower crane can operate anywhere within the jib's radius.
Self-Erecting Tower Cranes
A self-erecting crane is capable of completely assembling itself at the jobsite without any help from another crane. This provides a huge benefit in setup time and really saves time in equipment costs too. Self-erecting cranes are usually remote-controlled from the ground, though there are several models that have an operator cab built onto the jib.
The self-erecting crane is normally freestanding to enable them the opportunity to be moved around. There are several models that have a telescoping tower which enables the crane to work at various heights without the need to reconfigure the tower.
Luffing Jib Tower Crane
Normally, in urban work environments, there is not enough space or clearance for the jib to freely rotate without being blocked by existing buildings. A luffing jib tower crane is great for such tight spaces. Nearly all tower cranes have a fixed horizontal jib. The operator can raise or lower a luffing jib in order to allow the crane to swing in a reduced radius.