How Do Construction Cranes Work?

How Do Construction Cranes Work?
How Do Construction Cranes Work?

Construction Cranes

Have you ever gazed upward at a tall building and wondered how all that heavy material was lifted into its final position? Cranes are a true feat of engineering. Construction cranes can lift upwards of 40,000 pounds at once!

If you have ever wondered how a construction crane works, read on to explore our construction cranes guide.

How Construction Cranes Work

Whether you are curious about knuckle-boom cranes or tower cranes, any crane basically works the same way. Below, we’ll explore some of the basic components that allow cranes to do the important work they do. Any construction cranes buying guide would include cranes with these features.

The Mast

The mast is easily the most recognizable part of any crane. Put simply, it’s the tall part of the crane assembly that sticks straight up into the air. Sometimes, it even resembles the mast of a ship.

Rather than lifting a sail, though, a crane mast raises heavy building materials. Supporting tower cranes are heavy bases that stabilize the cranes. The base for tower cranes can weigh 400,000 pounds.

Not all cranes are supported by a base. Forestry cranes must be mobile in order to be useful for moving lumber.

Gear and Motor

Near or at the top of the mast is the gear and motor assembly. This allows the crane to rotate. Some assemblies are powered by electricity while others are driven by a gas motor.

The lifting ability of a crane isn’t its only asset. A crane must be able to lift and rotate so cargo reaches specific points of a construction project. Other important parts of a construction crane that are often found near the gear and motor are the working arm and operator cab.

The Jib

If you are looking for construction cranes near me, you may want to be on the lookout for a crane job. Beyond the mast, the jib is easily one of the more recognizable parts of a crane. The working arm is horizontal and long.

Attached to the jib is a trolly that helps carry the load. The machinery arm fits inside the jib and is always shorter. Within the jib are motors.

On the side of the jib opposite of the load are counterweights. The large concrete slabs help balance the load.

The Crane Operator

The laws of physics do not allow tower cranes to extend their heavy loads to the far end of the jib. Crane operators must keep a careful watch over the process to ensure that loads are moved carefully and safely.

The operators manage several factors at once from within the operator box that is usually located near the base of any crane. They have learned construction crane tips, and they use specialized hand signals to communicate with other members of the construction crew.

Learn More About Construction Cranes

Construction cranes come in all shapes and sizes, and without their help, modern lifts would be very different. All cranes share the basic structures described in this article.

Has this article gotten you excited about cranes? Our website can keep you up to date with the latest on forest cranes, crane safety tips, and much, much more.


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