There are many different types of cranes used in construction, but the most famous is, without a doubt, the tower crane. Tower cranes are used to build tall buildings and other structures in remote locations. Tower cranes are also often seen on construction sites as they can be assembled quickly and disassembled just as quickly. Let’s explore how these towers work, what they’re made of, their history, where to find tower crane rental companies and more!

How Tower Cranes Work

Tower cranes, also known as derricks or tele-scrapers, are tall and narrow construction equipment that allows workers to build high structures. They can be used for moving heavy loads or placing materials where they cannot go by hand. The tower crane is a complex piece of machinery made up of many different parts, so we’ll start at the top! Once there’s enough material stacked on the ground or in storage nearby, it is loaded onto the top part of the crane called a “jib”. This forms an arch over which another load may be placed. Such an arrangement would not be stable if these jibs were to stand alone — their centre of gravity would make them fall forward when raised — so that is why these jibs are attached to a “hoist” or a “boom”. The main hoist houses the cables and motors that control the movement of the crane. This boom will hold up until it reaches its maximum height, where another set of jibs can be used to continue moving loads into place. At the base of each support, the structure sits one end of an object, such as a building section or load, which is being lifted in place by several levels of cables and pulleys. When all goes well, tower cranes can raise loads many times their weight!

Construction Crane History

Tower cranes were first built way back before construction sites even existed! Since the first Egyptians, they have been around who used a wooden structure called a “scorpion” to help lift the stone. One type of crane that continued to be popular for many years included structures made with ropes and pulleys attached to tall poles. These machines were useful in building various buildings, but they weren’t mobile enough for use on construction sites. By 1200, Italian engineers had created more sophisticated cranes that featured towers that could be raised into position by cables. Then, during the Industrial Revolution of the 18th century, new innovations started coming out — including models with hydraulics and steam-powered hoists! The tallest tower crane ever built was constructed in 1932 at the height of 384 feet (117 meters). It is known as “The Texas Giant”, and it stands in Longview, Texas.

Tower Cranes Today

Today, you can see tower cranes at virtually any major construction site across the world — even little ones! They have become indispensable pieces of equipment due to their versatility and portability. Several different constructions sites need towers to erect large buildings quickly, such as those that are high-rise or in otherwise inconvenient locations where heavy machinery could not normally be brought. For example, tower cranes may be used when a building is too close to the water for a larger crane to be safely placed. Even though they’ve evolved over many years, these machines continue to prove time after time on construction sites everywhere that they are integral for the building we know today.

The Future of Tower Cranes: What is the “Next Generation” of Tower Crane Technology?

OK, so one of the biggest questions that any construction professional may have is, “how do we make these things even better?” To figure out how tower cranes work and what’s being done to improve them, let’s take a look at what is known as the “next generation” of tower crane technology: This includes several ideas these days for how onsite construction can be improved — from lighter materials to more efficient uses of space. One example, in particular, is something called an Ultra-Light Construction Crane. These machines are about half the size and weight of traditional models! They also feature advanced safety mechanisms such as fail-safe brakes. Another idea is to change the method by which blocks or sections are stacked using magnets or magnetic force instead of traditional fastening. This allows for a more flexible and efficient building process.

Conclusion

Hopefully, you’ve learned something new today about the world of tower cranes. From their history to some of the most advanced ideas in the field today, we do still have so much to discover and learn about how these machines operate! Tower cranes continue to be an essential piece of equipment on construction sites everywhere — which means that there will always be a demand for buildings and structures to keep them busy. Keep reading your blogs and checking out other great articles like this one as we explore more cool things in the crane realm. We’ll see you next time!