Usually the base which is bolted into a large concrete pad provides the crucial support for a tower crane. The base is connected to a tower or a mast and stabilizes the crane which is affixed to the inside of the structure of the building. Often, this attachment point is to an elevator shaft or to a concrete lift.
The crane's mast is normally a triangulated lattice structure which 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 that allows the crane to rotate.
Tower cranes may have a max unsupported height of 80m or 265 feet, while the tower crane's maximum lifting capacity is 16,642 kilograms or 39,690 lbs. with counter weights of 20 tons. Additionally, two limit switches are used in order to ensure the operator does not overload the crane. There is even another safety feature called a load moment switch to make certain that the operator does not surpass the ton meter load rating. Lastly, the maximum reach of a tower crane is 70 meters or 230 feet.
Because of their extreme heights, there is a science involved to erecting a crane. The stationary structure would at first need to be brought to the construction location by utilizing a big tractor-trailer rig setup. Then, a mobile crane is used so as to assemble the machine portion of the crane and the jib. Then, these parts are connected to the mast. The mobile crane then adds counterweights. Crawler cranes and forklifts may be a few of the other industrial machinery that is commonly utilized to erect a crane.
As 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 referred to as a top climber or a climbing frame 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. Once complete, the slewing unit is able to 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 crane driver uses the crane to insert and bolt into position another mast part piece.