The base of the tower crane is generally bolted to a huge 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 structure of the building. Usually, this attachment point is to a concrete lift or to an elevator shaft.
The mast of the crane is usually 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 that allows the crane to rotate.
Tower cranes are able to have a maximum unsupported height of 80m or 265 feet. The tower crane's maximum lifting capacity is 16,642 kg or 39,690 pounds with counter weights of 20 tons. Furthermore, two limit switches are utilized to be able to make certain that the driver does not overload the crane. There is also another safety feature referred to as a load moment switch to make certain that the driver does not surpass the ton meter load rating. Lastly, the maximum reach of a tower crane is 70 meters or 230 feet.
Due to their extreme heights, there is a science involved to erecting a crane. The stationary structure would at first have to be brought to the construction site by utilizing a big tractor-trailer rig setup. After that, a mobile crane is utilized in order to assemble the machine portion of the crane and the jib. After that, these sections are attached to the mast. Afterward, the mobile crane adds counterweights. Crawler cranes and forklifts can be a few of the other industrial machines which is usually utilized to erect a crane.
When the building is erected, mast extensions are added to the crane. This is how the crane's height could match the building's height. The crane crew uses what is called a climbing frame or a top climber that fits between the top of the mast and the slewing unit. 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 used to adjust the slewing unit up an extra 6.1m or 20 feet. After that, the crane operator utilizes the crane to insert and bolt into place one more mast part piece.