More Than Just Large Cranes: 5 Types of Hoisting Equipment in the Construction Industry

The construction equipment market will grow to $89.3 billion next year.

It’s easy to see why. A job is only as good as the tools used to construct it. But with so many different tools out there, it’s essential to get the right ones for the job.

Read on to learn how to tell your large cranes from your moveable pulleys.

1. Movable Pulley

A pulley consists of a wheel on a shaft (or axle) that supports movement. It also supports a change of direction or a belt (or cable) along the wheel’s circumference.

They’re used in many ways to transfer power, apply force and lift things. A pulley is also called a drum or a sheave. Sometimes it has a groove between the two edges of its circumference for the belt to sit. Belts consist of cable, rubber, rope, or chain.

2. Rope and Pulley

The rope and pulley have been in use since antiquity and is most suited to lifting heavy loads and loads with rough surfaces. Usually, the ropes are chain or wire. For hoisting operations, an alloy chain works best.

The weakest part is the load hook – the hook securing the chain to the load item. This can straighten out and fail. When you notice straightening on the hook, you should replace it to avoid accidents.

3. Chain Hoist

This system consists of chains made into two sets. These are the load chain and the hand chain. Hand chains are useful for remote, isolated locations where electricity isn’t available. The force applied from the hand chains transfers over to the load chain.

Chain hoists use a load cook to secure the load as well as a support hook. This supports the mechanism. You shouldn’t interchange these hooks, though. The support hook is stronger than the load hook, so if changed, the load hook won’t be up to the job of supporting.

4. Tower Crane

These cranes are of the swing jib type and usually mounted on steel towers. The towers can be up to 30m tall. Tower cranes are best utilized on tall buildings that are being built in built-up areas. This is because they need a minimum ground area.

Tower cranes combine the best parts of a log boom from a derrick crane and mobility from mobile cranes. The rotating part is an outer framework.

The boom is then added to the front end of this. A counterweight balances out the back end. Two motors at diagonal points on the base are what gives the middle shaft movement.

5. Derrick Crane

There are two types of derrick crane — guy derricks and stiff leg derricks. There is a vertical mast on a guy derrick, and the number of guy wires supports it.

It has a 360° movement. Usually, they’re powered by electric or diesel motors. Guy derricks can have a 200-tonne lifting capacity. Stiff leg derricks replace the guy wires with a trussed structure. The carrying capacity of stiff leg derricks is between 10 to 50 tonnes.

From Large Cranes to Moveable Pulleys — Know the Difference

Each piece of hoisting equipment is suitable for different jobs. Hand chain hoists are great for off-the-grid locations. While guy derricks are capable of handling huge loads for big projects.

If you’re looking for the perfect piece of hoisting equipment, contact us today to see how we at Kor-pak.com can help.

Posted in Crane, Industrial Equipment.