The base of the tower crane is typically bolted to a big concrete pad that provides very crucial support. The base is connected to a tower or a mast and stabilizes the crane that is affixed to the inside of the building's structure. Often, this attachment point is to a concrete lift or to an elevator shaft.
The mast of the crane is usually a triangulated lattice structure which measures 10 feet square or 0.9m2. Attached to the very top of the mast is the slewing unit. The slewing unit consists of a gear and a motor that allows the crane to rotate.
Tower cranes are able to have a maximum unsupported height of 80m or 265 feet. The maximum lifting capacity of a tower crane is 16,642 kg or 39,690 pounds with counter weights of 20 tons. Moreover, two limit switches are utilized in order to ensure the operator does not overload the crane. There is even one more safety feature called a load moment switch to make sure that the driver does not surpass the ton meter load rating. Last of all, the maximum reach of a tower crane is 230 feet or 70 meters.
There is definitely a science involved with erecting a tower crane, specially because of their extreme heights. At first, the stationary structure needs to be transported to the construction location by utilizing a large tractor-trailer rig setup. Then, a mobile crane is utilized so as to assemble the machinery portion of the crane and the jib. These parts are then attached to the mast. The mobile crane next adds counterweights. Crawler cranes and forklifts can be a few of the other industrial equipment that is typically used 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 utilizes what is called a climbing frame or a top climber which fits between the slewing unit and the top of the mast. A weight is hung on the jib by the work crew so as to balance the counterweight. When complete, the slewing unit is able to detach from the top of the mast. In the top climber, hydraulic rams are utilized to adjust the slewing unit up an extra 20 feet or 6.1m. Next, the driver of the crane uses the crane to insert and bolt into position another mast section piece.