Typically the base that is bolted into a big concrete pad provides the necessary support for a tower crane. The base is connected to a mast or a tower and stabilizes the crane that is attached to the inside of the building's structure. Usually, this attachment point is to a concrete lift or to an elevator shaft.
The mast of the crane is usually a triangulated lattice structure which measures 0.9m2 or 10 feet square. Connected to the very top of the mast is the slewing unit. The slewing unit is made of a motor and a gear that enable the crane to rotate.
Tower cranes are able to have a maximum unsupported height of 80m or 265 feet. The maximum lifting capacity of a tower crane is 16,642 kilograms or 39,690 pounds with counter weights of 20 tons. Furthermore, two limit switches are used to be able to ensure the driver does not overload the crane. There is even another safety feature called a load moment switch to make certain that the driver does not exceed the ton meter load rating. Lastly, the tower crane has a maximum reach of 230 feet or 70 meters.
Due to their extreme heights, there is a science involved to erecting a crane. The stationary structure will first have to be brought to the construction site by using a big tractor-trailer rig setup. Next, a mobile crane is used in order to assemble the machinery portion of the jib and the crane. After that, these sections are attached to the mast. Afterward, the mobile crane adds counterweights. Crawler cranes and forklifts may be some of the other industrial machines that is typically utilized to erect a crane.
When the building is erected, mast extensions are added to the crane. This is how the crane's height can match the building's height. The crane crew uses what is called a top climber or a climbing frame that fits between the top of the mast and the slewing unit. A weight is hung on the jib by the work crew so as to balance the counterweight. When complete, the slewing unit could detach from the top of the mast. In the top climber, hydraulic rams are used to adjust the slewing unit up an extra 6.1m or 20 feet. Next, the crane operator utilizes the crane to insert and bolt into place another mast section piece.