It’s no secret that cranes are an indispensable part of the construction business. But they are also massive, heavy pieces of equipment that aren’t easy to move from one place to another.
The more you understand about cranes, the more your appreciation for them will grow. That’s why it’s helpful to discuss each type to provide a clear picture of how they arrive at a construction site.
This article takes a look at crane transport. Keep reading to get the inside scoop on how crane transportation services get the job done.
Understanding Crane Systems
The first thing that’s important to understand is, most construction sites receive cranes broken down into small components. In other words, they don’t arrive as one unit.
Cranes have to be broken down and stored as separate pieces between jobs. Otherwise, the sheer size would be unmanageable.
Once a crane has arrived on-site, it can then be assembled to whatever height is required for the job.
Installation of Cranes
Installing a crane at the construction site is a complicated process. After all, cranes are huge pieces of equipment that must be carefully assembled and balanced in other to avoid accidents.
The installation process involves hydraulic and pneumatic systems that use pressure to assemble the pieces. And as each piece is locked into the next, crane operators must prepare to reach the next level. This is dangerous work.
Tower Cranes
Now let’s talk about how various types of cranes are transported to the construction site.
First is the tower crane. These are massive cranes that are standard features of cityscapes where high-rise buildings are frequently under construction.
These cranes are delivered to the site as a series of parts on large trucks, then assembled once they arrive.
Jumping Cranes
Jumping or Kangaroo cranes sit atop buildings during the construction process. They are designed to continually “jump” to the next floor as the lower floor is completed.
Crawler Cranes
This type of crane is driven to the worksite on the back of a large truck. It can then be moved over rough terrain and positioned wherever needed.
A crawler crane is capable of self-transport, yet are incredibly slow.
Roadworthy Cranes
Several cranes are considered roadworthy, and thus can be driven to the site with the help of an escort vehicle. These cranes can be transported through cities via public roads, though this process requires a bit of serious organization and takes time.
An example of this type of crane is the Hiab truck. This is essentially an on-board crane system mounted behind the cab of a truck.
Franna cranes is another example of a roadworthy crane, which can actually carry a load during transit. Believe it or not, this type of crane is also licensed for on-road travel.
A Guide to How Crane Transport works
It’s hard to imagine the construction process without cranes. Fortunately, this article removes some of the mystery around how crane transport from location to location works.
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