Construction Equipment: The Crane

The crane is operated in a few different ways. One way it can be controlled is by an operator who sits in the cab and travels with the crane. Another way to control a crane is with a push button pendant at a control station. The final way to control a crane is by using a radio-like control.

The History of the Crane: The Medieval Crane

In the Middle Ages, cranes were constructed and utilized to build castles, fortresses and cathedrals throughout Europe. The cranes of the medieval period were affixed to the top of a wall as the wall was being constructed. The early cranes were powered by manpower, meaning men ran inside of two large wheel apparatuses. It was also common to find cranes in use at the ports, harbors and shipyards.

Types of Cranes

The use of a crane is a very effective way to lift and move heavy items. Because they are so versatile and useful, there are several different types of cranes. The several different types of cranes include mobile cranes, telescopic cranes, tower cranes, and truck mounted cranes, rough-terrain cranes, loader cranes and overhead cranes.

The Mobile Crane

This is the basic and standard type of crane, which is made up of a steel truss or telescopic boom that is mounted on a movable platform, which might be either a rail, or wheeled, or a CAT truck. The boom can be described as hinged on the bottom, which can then be raised and lowered by using cables or hydraulic cylinders.

The Telescopic Crane

The telescopic crane has a boom that is made up of several tubes that fit one inside another. It utilizes hydraulics to extend and retract the tubing, which will increase or decrease the length of the actual boom.

The Tower Crane

This type of crane is considered the modern version of the balance crane. When this type of crane is mounted to the ground, the tower crane gives one of the best combinations for height and lifting ability. This makes the tower crane a good choice for constructing tall buildings.

The Truck Mounted Crane

This type of crane is a simple mounted crane, which mounts to a rubber tire truck, and this gives it a good amount of mobility. An outrigger that will extend either vertically or horizontally will be utilized to make it level and stable for when the crane is used for hoisting.

The Rough Terrain Crane

Rough terrain cranes are typically mounted on top of an undercarriage with four rubber tires. This type of crane is designed this way to make it more favorable in jobs that are off road. The rough terrain crane has outriggers that will extend vertically or horizontally for stabilization during hoisting. There is one engine in this type of crane, and it is used to power the crane and the undercarriage. The engine is mounted in the undercarriage and not in the upper portion.

The Loader Crane

Another hydraulic powered crane, the loader crane has a hydraulically powered articulated arm that fits to the trailer. It is utilized for loading equipment onto the trailer. This crane has numerous sections, which are collapsible and make it easy to fold up for storage purposes.

The Overhead Crane

The overhead crane is sometimes called the suspended crane and is typically utilized in factory environments. With this crane, the hoist is set upon a trolley, which allows it to move in one set direction on one or two rails. It is able to move at angles toward a direction upon elevated or ground level tracks. It is common to have the tracking system mounted along the side of the assembly line area.

The construction and excavation industries really have a need for cranes, which are put to use moving and lifting heavy equipment and machinery. Cranes are able to move objects quickly into trenches or down steep areas as well as raise objects to high levels. Since there are so many different types of cranes, the industry will be able to find the one that fits their needs and serves them well in the type of work they need to carry out.