Cranes be easily attached and used.

There are several boom

configurations that can be used.

A crane is a type of machine, generally equipped to lift and

lower materials and to move them horizontally. It is mainly
used for lifting heavy things and transporting them to other
places. It uses one or more simple machine to create
mechanical advantage and thus move loads beyond the
normal capability of a man. Construction cranes are
generally classified into two major families: (I) mobile cranes
and (2) tower cranes. Mobile cranes are the machines of
choice in North America, as contractors have traditionally
favored them over tower cranes. Tower cranes are usually
used in North America only when jobsite conditions make
mobile crane movement impossible, or for high-rise
construction. They are, however, the machines that
dominate the construction scene in Europe, whether in the
big cities or in rural areas
Because of the crawler tracks and the instability caused by
the moment created at the end of the boom by the load,
Mobile Cranes these cranes move slowly and must travel on a level stable
Mobile cranes have a superstructure capable of rotating 360 surface. If necessary, the
degrees mounted on a carrier and have boom raising and crane can build its own
lowering capabilities. These cranes include truck mounted road as it moves forward.
cranes; crawler cranes; locomotive cranes; wheel-mounted This portable surface must
cranes, multiple control stations; wheel-mounted cranes, be level and stable enough
single control station; and any variation that retains the same to support the cranes
fundamental characteristics. weight and also the weight
of its load. When planning
a lift, how and where the
crane travels to its lifting
position with its load must
be planned. Provision for
avoiding obstacles and
having a stable travel surface must be made.

Telescoping Boom Mobile Cranes Rough-Terrain Crane

Telescoping boom mobile cranes are very economical for The rough terrain crane has the capability of long-distance
making one lift or a limited number of lifts in a short period of highway travel and good job-site maneuverability. The mount
time. Most of the time mobile cranes are rented. They can be provides four-wheel-drive capability, conventional two-wheel
driven assembled to the job or the lift site on public roads. steering, four-wheel steering, and crab steering. The travel
This greatly reduces the setup time and cost. Lifting speed of the machine is 55 mph on the highway. This crane
capacities and work ranges can be quite large if necessary, has dual cabs, a
but most lifting is light to medium. Parts of mobile crane are lower cab for
shown below highway travel, and a
superstructure cab
that has both the
drive and the crane
controls. A pintle
hook on the rear of
the mount lets it tow
an attachment trailer.
However, towing the
trailer cross-country
is not recommended. These units are equipped with
unusually large wheels and closely spaced axles to Improve
maneuverability at the job site. They further earn the right to
their name by their high ground c1earence as well as the
ability of some models to move on slopes of up to 70%.

All Terrain Cranes

Lattice Boom Crawler Cranes
Lattice boom crawler cranes are very common on most
types of construction projects. They are versatile in that
many attachments to perform many different types of work
such as draglines and clamshells for excavation, pile drivers,
dynamic compactors, wrecking balls for demolition, augers
for drilling holes, and magnets for moving metal objects can
The All Terrain Crane is designed with an undercarriage
capable of long-distance highway travel. Yet the carrier has
all-axle drive and all-wheel steering, crab steering, large
tires, and high ground clearance. All-terrain cranes have
dual cabs, a lower cab for fast highway travel, and a
superstructure cab that has both drive and crane controls.
The machine can, therefore, be used for limited pick-and-
carry work. Because this crane has both job-site mobility and
 For stability, the sum of all moments about the base of the
crane must be close to zero so that the crane does not
overturn In practice, the magnitude of load that is permitted
to be lifted (called the "rated load" in the US) is some value
less than the load that will cause the crane to tip, thus
providing a safety margin.
Outriggers are movable
beams that can be
extended laterally from
a mobile crane to
stabilize and help
support the unit. Some
models can operate on
their tires when there is
firm leveled ground, but
transit capability, it is an appropriate machine when multiple their lifting capacity is
lifts are required at scattered project sites or at multiple work markedly reduced.
locations on a single project. Because this machine is a
combination of two features, it has a higher cost than an Rated Load
equivalent capacity telescoping truck crane or rough-terrain The rated load for a crane, as published by the
crane. But an all-terrain machine can be positioned on the manufacturer, is based on ideal conditions. Load charts can
project without the necessity of having other construction be complex documents listing numerous booms, jibs, and
equipment prepare a smooth travel way as truck cranes other components that may be employed to configure the
would require. crane for various tasks. It is critical that the chart being
consulted be for the actual crane configuration that will be
Modified Cranes for Heavy Lifting used. A partial safety factor with respect to tipping is
These are basically systems that significantly increase the lift introduced by the PCSA rating standards that state that the
capacity of a crawler crane. A crane's capacity is limited by rated load of a lifting crane shall not exceed the following
one of two factors: (1) structural strength or (2) tipping percentages of tipping loads at specified radii:
moment. If a
counterweight
is added to
prevent tipping
when hoisting
a heavy load,
there is a point
when the Manufacturers provide capacity charts such as that is shown
machine is so below.
overbalanced
that without a
load it will tip backward. At some point, even with sufficient
counterweight, the boom is put into such high compression
that it will give way at the butt. Manufacturers, understanding
both the need of users to make occasional heavy lifts and
the users' reluctance to buy a larger machine for a one-time
use, have developed systems that provide the capability
while maintaining machine integrity. The three principal
systems available are
1. Trailing counterweight
2. Extendable counterweight
3. Ring system
Lifting Capacity
Because cranes are used
to hoist and move loads
from one location to
another, it is necessary to
know the lifting capacity
and working ranges of a
crane selected to perform The important point is that the rated load should be based on
a given service. Lifting the direction of minimum stability for the mounting, unless
capacity depends upon: otherwise specified. The minimum stability condition restricts
the rated load because the crane must both raise and swing
Boom length A loads. The swinging motion will cause the boom to move
Radius of load B through various quadrants, changing the load's effect on the
Counter weight F machine. Further, it should be remembered that the rating is
Weight of crane based on the fact that the outriggers are fully extended.
Boom angle C
Rated loads are based on the assumption that the crane is in motor) that allows the crane to rotate. On top of the slewing
a level position (for the full 3600 of swing. unit there are three main parts which are: the long horizontal
Another important consideration with modern cranes is that jib (working arm), shorter counter-jib, and the operator's cab.
tipping is not always the critical capacity factor. At short All tower cranes have the same basic parts:
radii, capacity may be dependent on boom or outrigger . A power source
strength and structural capacity, and at long radii, pendant . A base that is fixed (concrete) or movable (rail
tension can be the controlling element. Manufacturers' load tracks)
charts will limit the rated capacity to values below the . A tower or mast
minimum critical condition taking into account all possible . A boom or jib combination
factors. . A hoist cable and motor system
Jobs and Tools . A pendant cable system
In addition to the hook, there are a number of special . A gantry system (tower top or intermediate)
purpose tools available for use with the crane as seen in . A turntable mounting for the boom and operators
Figure below. Of these, concrete buckets, slings, and special cab
hooks are most often used with construction cranes As in . A counterweight system
managing any construction operation, it is essential in . An operators cab
planning crane operations to analyze the task to be
performed and the working conditions to be expected early
in the planning process. For crane operations, the following Types of Tower Cranes
are some of the principal job factors to be considered are: Manufacturers classify tower cranes as top slewing, bottom
Type of load ,Size and location of load , slewing, self-erecting, and special application. Slewing
Location and required movement of the load , means turning about a fixed point. Cranes can be bottom
Height of lift required , slewing or top slewing. Only the boom rotates on top slewing
Radius of work permitted by the boom and crane cranes. The tower and boom rotate on bottom slewing
selected, cranes. The main' differences between these two
Weight of load including attachments,
Clearance for boom and superstructure-give
categories are reflected in setup and dismantling
special consideration to electric power lines procedures and in lifting height. Bottom-slewing
tower cranes are towable
between job sites and
essentially erect
themselves using their
own motors in a relatively
short duration (I to several
hours) using a simple
procedure. They are often
referred to as "self
erecting" or "fast-erecting"
cranes
The boom provides
optimum coverage. These
cranes use a trolley system
that positions the hoist line
and load by rolling on the bottom of the boom.
Tower Cranes The longer the boom, the greater the coverage,
Tower cranes are a modern however the lifting capacity decreases as the load
form of balance crane that
consist of the same basic
placement (trolley) nears the end of the boom.
parts. Fixed to the ground Horizontal, luffing, and articulated luffing boom
on a concrete slab (and configurations are common for tower cranes.
sometimes attached to the
sides of structures as well),
tower cranes often give the
best combination of height
and lifting capacity and are
used in the construction of
tall buildings. These
advantages are achieved at
the expense of limited lifting
capacity and mobility, as
compared to mobile cranes.
The base is then attached to Vertical tower cranes can be mounted on a mobile crane
the mast which gives the substructure a fixed base or a traveling base, or can be
crane its height. Further the configured to climb within the structure being
mast is attached to the
constructed.
slewing unit (gear and
Mobile Cranes Rigged with Vertical Towers These limits are dictated by the structural capacity of the
Crawler and truck- tower frame and are machine-specific.
mounted tower cranes
use pinned jibs extending Traveling Tower Cranes
from special booms that The ballasted base of this type of tower crane is set on a pair
are set vertically. A of fixed rails. This enables the crane to move along the rails
crawler-mounted tower with a load. The advantage is the increased coverage of the
crane can travel over work area that can be achieved. There are, however, cases
firm, level ground after in which the crane is set on rails not for routine traveling but
the tower is erected, but it merely to enable its relocation with the progress of the
has only limited ability to project, as a more economic option compared to crane
handle loads while dismantling and reassembly. Maximum grade for traveling
moving. A truck mounted vertical boom arrangement crane rails is model-specific, but is usually not greater than 1
tower crane must have its on a mobile crane %. Traveling tower cranes can be either of the top-slewing or
outriggers extended and bottom-slewing type, with heights commonly not exceeding
down before the tower is 230 ft for the former and 100 ft for the latter. Maximum
raised. Therefore, it cannot travel with a load, and the tower traveling speed for both types is 65 to 100 ftlmin. When a
must be dismantled before the crane can be relocated. rail-mounted crane option is considered, the entailed costs of
Recent models of truck-mounted tower cranes merge a railway procurement and construction (including necessary
bottom-slewing tower crane wIth a mobile truck crane. The earthworks over a relatively large area) should be taken into
resulting crane provides excellent lifting height and outreach, account.
as would a normal tower crane, and yet it is possible to erect Climbing Tower Crane
and dismantle the crane in less than 15 min. Along with the externally braced tower crane, the climbing
tower crane is a common choice of crane for high rise
Fixed-Base Tower Cranes building construction; and is a lifting mechanism solution for
The fixed-base-type crane, commonly of the top-slewing buildings exceeding the maximum-braced height tower crane
configuration, typically has its tower mounted on an limit. Structurally supported by the floors of the building that
engineered concrete mass foundation, either on fixing is being constructed, the crane climbs on special climbing
angles sunk in the base or on its ballasted chassis, which is collars that are fitted to the building's completed structural
bolted to the concrete base. On occasion, the tower may be floors. Weight of both the crane and the loads lifted is
mounted on a ballasted static rail-mounted undercarriage. transmitted to the structure of the host building. The crane
UsuaIly, at the beginning of the project, a large crawler or will have only a relatively short mast because it moves
mobile crane is used to erect the tower crane to its full upward with vertical construction progress. This climbing
height; however, many of these tower cranes have the movement, which causes work interruptions, is done
capability to independently increase their tower height by incrementally, every few floors, depending on the height of
means of a climbing mechanism. For cranes with this ability, the mast employed. The taller the mast, the less frequent
a smaller-size mobile crane could be used as it is not the climbing procedure.
necessary to initially erect the tower to its full height,
because additional tower sections (height) can be added
later as the work progresses.
There is a vertical limit
known as the maximum
free-standing height to which
fixed-base cranes can safely
rise above a base, typically
200 ft for average-size top-
slewing cranes, and up to
400 ft for the larger-size
cranes. If it is necessary to
raise the tower above this
limiting height, lateral
bracing must be provided.
Guy ropes may be used to
brace tower cranes, but in
the majority of cases the
towers are tied to the Selection of Tower Cranes
structure being constructed The use of a tower crane requires considerable planning
using engineered steel because the crane is anchored in a fixed location for the
duration of the major construction activities. From its fixed
brackets (anchorage frames) . The position, it must be able to cover all points from which loads
cost of bracing a crane to the are to be lifted and to reach the locations where the loads
structure rises sharply with the must be placed. Therefore, when selecting a crane for a
distance between them, which particular project, the engineer must ensure that the weight
must be taken into account when of the loads can be handled at their corresponding required
planning the exact location of the radius. Individual tower cranes are selected for use based on
crane. Even when bracing is Weight, dimension, and lift radii of the heaviest
provided, there is a maximum- loads
braced height tower limit (although Maximum free-standing height of the crane
1000-ft high top-slewing cranes Maximum braced height of the crane
are not a particular exception).
 Crane-climbing arrangement Weight of load 15,0001b
Weight of crane supported by the structure
Available headroom Area that must be reached Weight of rigging 400 Ib (slings)
Hoist speeds of the crane ,
Length of cable the hoist drum can carry. Total weight =15,4001b

Required capacity =15400x 1.05 working margin

The vertical movement of material during the
construction process creates an available headroom
clear-distance requirement. This distance is defined as
the vertical distance between the maximum achievable
crane-hook position and the uppermost work area of
the structure. The requirement is set by the dimensions
of those loads that must be raised over the uppermost
work area during the building process .. For practical
purposes and safety, hook height above the upper level
of construction work should never be less than 20 ft.
When selecting a tower crane for a very tall structure, a
climbing-type crane may be the only choice capable of
meeting the available headroom height requirement.
Rated Loads
Lifting capacity of tower crane depends upon length
and strength of jib, hoist and counter weight etc .
Capacity charts for standard equipment are available
and provided by manufacturer. A table for a climbing
tower crane is shown below. Capacity below line is
limited by over turning of machine due to longer reach
of jib.
=16,170lb.
From Table the maximum lifting capacity at a 142-
ft hook reach is 16,400 lb.
16,400 Ib > 16,170 Ib Therefore, the crane can safely
make the lift
Hints
When repetitive lifting is involved the crane should be
positioned for shortest possible swing cycle to reduce cycle
time. For heavy lifts, crane should be positioned to lift over
end of mounting where it has maximum lift capacity.
Crane footing should be checked carefully before lifting
capacity or near-capacity loads. Ratings are based on firm,
level footings.
All overhead obstructions should be inspected carefully
before moving a crane or starting lifting operations. Machine
should be located so as to avoid any contact with power
lines.
In attaching loads, a secure hitch must be made and lift
started when all helpers are in the clear.

Operator should swing

crane slowly enough to
avoid excessive
outward throw of load
and over swinging
when machine stops.
Crane work is similar
to moving a long
pendulum, which can
be controlled only in
slow motion. Fast
swinging of crane
loads will lose more
time than it gains
through loss of control,
and is very dangerous.
A tagline device,
similar to that used for
clamshell buckets, can
be attached to loads to
control outward swing.

In figuring height of lift,

Example
Can the tower crane, whose load chart is shown in
above Table , lift a 15,000-lb load at a radius of 142 ft?
The crane has an L7 jib and a two-part hoist line, The
slings that will be used for the pick weigh 400 Ib.
the block, hook, and
any sling-slack
between hook and
load must be included. When making capacity lifts,
the entire lifting cycle should be calculated and
planned before picking up load. It takes less time
and is much safer to check clearance and position
than to lift and try, then reposition and try again.
With repetitive lifting, a planned cycle is the best
way to high production at low costs.
Organize work for minimum travel time. All needed lifts
possible in one area should be completed before moving to
another location.

Booming up and down lengthens the cycle and should be

avoided as much as possible on repetitive lifting.

With rubber-mounted cranes, outriggers should be securely

set before undertaking any near capacity loads. Footing
under jacks must be level and solid.

Loads should be placed on solid footings so they have no

tendency to overbalance when hitch is released. Jerky
operations on crane work should be avoided. It is hard on
cable and dangerous.

Adding a jib to the boom increases the working range both

horizontally and vertically, but can reduce lifting capacity.

With a given boom length, the steeper the working angle the
shorter the working radius. With each degree of boom
movement to a more vertical position, there is a
corresponding degree of reduction in boom radius-and a
corresponding increase in lifting capacity.

Level footing avoids swing "up or down hill, requires less

power, is faster and safer.

When a heavy load is to be lowered from a high position

(into a basement or hold of a ship), it is of prime importance
that adequate length of hoist cable is assured to facilitate full
travel of the block to the lowest point required

When safety precautions are not observed