For large building construction projects, tower cranes are utilized quite frequently. These machinery are rather essential for heavy lifting as well as positioning supplies and equipment. Tower cranes offer a unique configuration which offers numerous advantages over more traditional cranes. These advantages include: quiet electrical operation, higher vertical lift, increased capacities, and reduced space requirements.
Hammerhead Crane
A hammerhead crane is a different configuration which is most often associated with a tower crane. In this situation, a long horizontal jib is connected to a vertical tower. One end of the jib acts as a counterweight and the other end of the jib extends horizontally over the worksite. On the hammerhead crane, there is a trolley. This trolley holds the lifting cable and travels along the length of the jib. The tower crane is capable of operating anywhere within the jib's radius.
Self-Erecting Tower Cranes
Self-erecting cranes are normally assembled on location with the help of a different crane. This provides a huge benefit in setup time and really saves time in equipment expenses as well. Self-erecting cranes are normally remote-controlled from the ground, even if there are some models that have an operator cab built onto the jib.
Self-erecting cranes are generally freestanding and this allows them the opportunity to be able to be moved around. There are several models which have a telescoping tower that enables the crane to work at multiple heights without the need to reconfigure the tower.
Luffing Jib Tower Crane
Nearly all urban work environments do not have enough space or clearance for the jib to freely rotate without existing buildings blocking its movement. A luffing jib tower crane is great for such tight spaces. The majority of tower cranes have a fixed horizontal jib. The driver is able to lower or raise a luffing jib in order to enable the crane to swing in a reduced radius.