For large building construction projects, tower cranes are utilized quite frequently. These machines are rather necessary for heavy lifting as well as placing supplies and equipment. Tower cranes offer a different design that offers a lot of advantages over more conventional cranes. These benefits include: quiet electrical operation, higher vertical lift, reduced space requirements and increased capacities.
Hammerhead Crane
The hammerhead crane is usually associated with a tower crane. The long horizontal jib is attached to a vertical tower, in this case. One end of the jib extends horizontally over the worksite and the other end of the jib acts as a counterweight. On the hammerhead crane, there is a trolley. This trolley has 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 usually assembled on location with the assistance of a different crane. This provides a huge benefit in setup time and really saves time in equipment costs as well. Self-erecting cranes are usually remote-controlled from the ground, although there are some models which have an operator cab built onto the jib.
Self-erecting cranes are usually freestanding and this enables them the opportunity to be able to be moved around. There are several models that have a telescoping tower that allows the crane to work at various heights without the need to reconfigure the tower.
Luffing Jib Tower Crane
Often, in urban work settings, there is not enough clearance or space for the jib to rotate freely 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 driver is able to raise or lower a luffing jib in order to allow the crane to swing in a reduced radius.