For large building construction projects, tower cranes are used rather frequently. These machinery are quite essential for heavy lifting as well as positioning supplies and equipment. Tower cranes offer a unique design which provides many benefits over more conventional cranes. These benefits comprise: quiet electrical operation, higher vertical lift, increased capacities, and reduced space requirements.
Hammerhead Crane
The hammerhead crane is usually associated with a tower crane. The long horizontal jib is connected to a vertical tower, in this case. One end of the jib extends horizontally over the worksite and the other end of the jib acts as a counterweight. There is a trolley on the hammerhead crane. This trolley has the lifting cable and can travel along the length of the jib. The tower crane is capable of operating anywhere in the jib's radius.
Self-Erecting Tower Cranes
Self-erecting cranes are often assembled on site with the assistance of a different crane. This provides a huge benefit in setup time and really saves time in equipment costs as well. Self-erecting cranes are usually remote-controlled from the ground, though there are some models that have an operator cab built onto the jib.
Self-erecting cranes are normally freestanding and this allows them the opportunity to be able 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
Nearly all urban work settings do not have enough clearance or space for the jib to rotate freely without existing buildings blocking its movement. A luffing jib tower crane is great for such tight spaces. The majority of tower cranes have a fixed horizontal jib. The operator could lower or raise a luffing jib in order to enable the crane to swing in a reduced radius.