For big building construction projects, tower cranes are used quite frequently. These equipments are quite essential for heavy lifting as well as positioning supplies and equipment. Tower cranes offer a different configuration which provides numerous advantages over more conventional cranes. These advantages include: quiet electrical operation, higher vertical lift, increased capacities, and reduced space requirements.
Hammerhead Crane
A hammerhead crane is another design that is most typically associated with a tower crane. In this case, a long horizontal jib is attached 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 could operate anywhere in the jib's radius.
Self-Erecting Tower Cranes
Self-erecting cranes are often assembled on site with the assistance of another crane. This really saves time in equipment expenses and provides a huge benefit in setup time as well. Self-erecting cranes are usually remote-controlled from the ground, although 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 various heights without the need to reconfigure the tower.
Luffing Jib Tower Crane
Usually, within urban work settings, there is not enough clearance or space for the jib to freely rotate without being blocked by existing buildings. A luffing jib tower crane is great for such tight areas. Most tower cranes have a fixed horizontal jib. The operator can raise or lower a luffing jib in order to enable the crane to swing in a reduced radius.