Typically the base that is bolted into a huge concrete pad provides the crucial support for a tower crane. The base is connected to a mast or a tower and stabilizes the crane which is connected 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 normally a triangulated lattice structure that measures 0.9m2 or 10 feet square. Connected to the very top of the mast is the slewing unit. The slewing unit is made of a gear and a motor which 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 lbs. 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 another safety feature referred to as a load moment switch to make certain that the driver does not exceed the ton meter load rating. Last of all, the maximum reach of a tower crane is 230 feet or 70 meters.
Due to their extreme heights, there is a science involved to erecting a crane. The stationary structure will at first need to be brought to the construction site by using a big tractor-trailer rig setup. Then, a mobile crane is used so as to assemble the equipment part of the crane and the jib. These parts are then connected to the mast. The mobile crane then adds counterweights. Forklifts and crawler cranes could be some of the other industrial machinery which is utilized to erect a crane.
As the building is erected, mast extensions are added to the crane. This is how the crane's height is able to match the building's height. The crane crew uses what is called a top climber or a climbing frame which 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 could detach from the top of the mast. In the top climber, hydraulic rams are used to adjust the slewing unit up an extra 20 feet or 6.1m. After that, the driver of the crane utilizes the crane to insert and bolt into place one more mast part piece.