Updated at: 26-09-2021 - By: Lucas

A construction crane is an extremely useful piece of machinery. It is used for many different purposes such as building bridges, constructing buildings, moving materials around the construction site and many others. A construction crane is basically composed of three parts, they are the base, the boom and the cab.

The base is the part which is attached to the ground. The boom is the long metal arm that is extended out over the construction site. The cab is the part that contains the operator who controls the operation of the crane.

In this article, we are going to discuss only the types of cranes that are mainly used in construction sites.

Types of Static Cranes

Overhead Cranes

Overhead Cranes

An overhead crane is a large, mechanical device used to lift and move heavy objects. An overhead crane consists of a large, vertical column that supports a horizontal boom. This boom is attached to a counterweight which is usually a very large, metal sphere. Attached to the end of the boom are either hooks or pincers (depending on the type of crane) which are used to pick up and move whatever it is you want to move.

You can use an overhead crane in a number of ways. One way is to have the crane lift and move materials for you. Another way is to have the crane lift and move items for someone else so you can assemble them for them. Or, you can use an overhead crane to assemble something yourself. Whatever the case may be, using an overhead crane is a lot of fun. You get to watch the heavy object being lifted into the air and then lowered to the ground with a great deal of precision.

Tower Cranes

A tower crane is a large mobile machine with a counterweighted arm that is capable of lifting very heavy weights. Tower cranes are extremely versatile and can be used in many different ways. For example, they are often used to build things, like skyscrapers and bridges. They can also be used to hoist materials that need to be moved from one place to another, like machinery and furniture.

Tower cranes can also be used for industrial purposes, like putting up heavy machinery and equipment. They can be used to assemble vehicles and other large structures. They are also used for landscaping projects and other construction work. Basically, a tower crane can be used almost anywhere that there is a need to lift, move or otherwise handle very heavy objects.

Hammerhead Tower Crane

Hammerhead Tower Crane

A hammerhead tower crane is a mobile tower crane with a distinctive shape that resembles a hammerhead shark. This type of crane is ideal for working at height over smaller areas such as office buildings or warehouses. The hammerhead shape provides a large amount of counter-balance which makes it easier to operate.

A hammerhead crane has two equal arms that extend out from the main body of the crane. There is a counterweight located at the very end of each arm. These cranes are typically equipped with a forklift type attachment located on the very end of each arm. This allows the operator to attach the attachment to the pallet or container to be lifted, and then to detach it once the load is secured to the top of the crane.

Luffing Tower Cranes

A luffing tower crane is a mechanical device used for lifting extremely heavy loads. It works on the principle of counteracting gravity. In other words, it uses the energy of a counterweight to lift a load higher than would be possible using only the strength of the lifting mechanism.

Basically, a luffing tower crane consists of a base frame, a main beam that extends vertically from the base frame, and a counterweight that is attached to the top of the main beam. The counterweight is usually made of metal, but it can also be made of wood or even a very large piece of lead. 

There are many different types of luffing tower cranes. Some are used in construction, mining, oil & gas, agriculture, and many others. A typical luffing tower crane has a maximum lifting capacity of about 20 tons. However, some of the larger models can lift up to 100 tons.

Self-Erecting Tower Cranes (SETC)

Self-Erecting Tower Cranes (SETC)

A self-erecting tower crane is an ideal solution for those occasions when you need a temporary structure that will solve your lifting problems. Self-erecting cranes are ideal for construction projects, remodeling jobs, and any other time you need a simple way to temporarily raise and lower loads. These cranes are easy to use and set up, and they can be disassembled and stored away in a matter of minutes.

Self-erecting cranes are ideal for people who are on a budget. These cranes are so easy and cheap to buy and set up, you can have one at virtually every job site. If you need a temporary structure to lift something heavy or to hold it in place while you work, then you should definitely consider a self-erecting tower crane.

Level-Luffing Cranes

A level-luffing crane is a type of mobile cranes that are used in construction and manufacturing. It is a counterweighted machine with a telescoping boom and a level work platform at the end of the boom. The operator sits on a seat suspended from the boom. He controls the movement of the crane by means of a pair of steering wheels which are connected to the boom by a series of mechanical linkages.

The operator steers the crane by turning the steering wheels in the direction he wants the boom to go. When the boom is turned in one direction, the counterweights on the other side of the boom automatically cause it to luff up (point upward) so it does not overbalance. This allows the crane to be moved in a straight line without the need for constant corrections by the operator.

Types of Mobile Cranes

Crawler Cranes

Crawler Cranes

A crawler crane is a kind of mobile crane that moves along on its own tracks.  Mobile cranes are very useful for lifting and moving large objects.  Crawler cranes are especially useful for construction sites because they can get into hard-to-access places where a conventional crane cannot go.

You can find them at warehouse construction sites, building demolition sites, and any place else you might need a mobile crane.  They can be as small as a few feet long and weigh only a few hundred pounds, or they can be as long as 50 feet and weigh hundreds of tons.  Crawler cranes are usually electric powered, but they can also be gasoline or diesel powered.

Rough Terrain Cranes

A rough terrain crane is a mobile lifting device used to move heavy loads over uneven ground. It is basically a large lever with a hook at one end and a chain or cable at the other. The operator uses the crane to lift the load and then lets go of the load. The crane then falls to the ground and exerts a counteracting force on the load to keep it from falling. This makes it possible to safely transport very heavy loads over very uneven ground.

A rough terrain crane is ideal for construction sites and similar work areas where there are large amounts of heavy machinery and other obstacles that make it difficult or unsafe to use a conventional mobile crane.

All-Terrain Cranes

All-Terrain Cranes

All-terrain cranes are the most versatile type of crane you can buy. They are designed to handle just about any type of construction project. Whether you are building a house, a garage, a church, a barn, or some other type of structure, an all-terrain crane will be able to hoist and move everything into place. These cranes are extremely powerful and can lift tons of weight. They also have a wide variety of accessories that make them even more useful.

An all-terrain crane is not going to be as maneuverable as a forklift, but it will be more than adequate for most construction projects. It can be used for small projects or for large ones. No matter what size project you are working on, you are sure to find the all-terrain crane that is right for you.

Truck Cranes

A truck crane is a mechanical device that enables a person to lift and move a heavy object using a pickup truck. The basic idea is to hook a chain or rope to the object that needs to be moved and then attach a truck crane to the other end of the rope or chain. 

Then, you drive the truck up to the object that needs to be lifted and the crane does the rest. This is a very useful tool for construction workers and others who need to move large and/or awkward objects from one place to another.

There are many different types of truck cranes available, but the most common ones are the “T” type and the “Q” type. The “T” type has two parallel chains, while the “Q” type has a single chain with a hook at each end. The truck cranes come in various sizes, but a small one will easily handle an object that is up to about 500 pounds. A larger model can be used to move much heavier objects.

Carry Deck Cranes

Carry Deck Cranes

Carry deck cranes are one of the best inventions of all time. They’re so useful, they’ve been included in movies and TV shows many times. They’re also very versatile. You can use them just about anywhere. They’re perfect for getting stuff off of boats, for loading and unloading trucks and for all kinds of other tasks.

A carry deck crane is a simple machine. It consists of a long boom with a hook on the end and a counterweight. You simply attach the hook to the thing you want to lift and then raise the boom. As the weight of the counterweight is lifted off the ground, the counterweight will rise up into the air. The counterweight can then be let go of and the crane will lower the load to the ground.

FAQS

How do they make the crane go higher in the building?

When the crane is on the ground, the arm with the hook on it is lowered to the floor. The cables that are attached to the counterweight are tightened so the counterweight rises up into the air.

Next, the arm with the bucket on it is raised until the bucket is over the can. Then, the bucket is swung down toward the can and the cable attached to the bottom of the bucket is tightened so the bucket descends rapidly toward the floor.

Why Are Tower Cranes Used?

Tower cranes are used for lifting heavy objects so they can be placed in an elevated position. They are used for most of the same tasks as a boom truck and knuckle boom truck, but because they can be elevated, they can be used for larger jobs.

The size of the crane will depend on the weight being lifted and the distance it must be moved. A tower crane is different from a gantry crane in that the latter has a horizontal or “gantry” beam while the former has a vertical beam.

Why Use a Tower Crane Over A Mobile Crane?

Tower cranes and gantry cranes are used at different kinds of construction sites and therefore, each has its own advantages and uses. To be more specific, tower cranes are generally used to lift heavy objects and materials.

On the other hand, gantry cranes are better suited for handling light loads. However, there are times when one type of crane is used in conjunction with another type of crane. This is especially true when working on a building site where there are many different kinds of jobs to be done.

How does a crane work?

The crane is able to hoist an object or load, which can weigh up to 10,000kgs, by using a revolving hook which is attached by a wire rope to it. The hook is attached to an overhead beam.

As the crane operator rotates the hook around the beam, the wire rope becomes taut and the object or load is raised to the desired height. 

Conclusion

There are many kinds of construction cranes. These types of cranes are used in almost all types of industries. Crane operators must be well trained and experienced in order to operate these cranes safely and effectively.

Many people are unaware of the fact that crane operators are responsible for the safety of everyone on the construction site. If you are planning to work in the construction industry, you should learn as much as you can about crane operations.