Usually the base that is bolted into a huge concrete pad provides the essential support for a tower crane. The base is connected to a mast or a tower and stabilizes the crane which is affixed to the inside of the building's structure. Often, this attachment point is to a concrete lift or to an elevator shaft.
The mast of the crane is often a triangulated lattice structure which measures 10 feet square or 0.9m2. Connected to the very top of the mast is the slewing unit. The slewing unit consists of a motor and a gear that allows the crane to rotate.
Tower cranes may have a max unsupported height of 80m or 265 feet, while the minimum lifting capacity of a tower crane is 16,642 kg or 39,690 pounds with counter weights of 20 tons. Furthermore, two limit switches are used in order to make sure that the driver does not overload the crane. There is also another safety feature called a load moment switch to ensure that the operator does not surpass the ton meter load rating. Last of all, the tower crane has a maximum reach of 70 meters or 230 feet.
Because of their extreme heights, there is a science involved to erecting a crane. The stationary structure would at first have to be brought to the construction location by utilizing a large tractor-trailer rig setup. After that, a mobile crane is utilized in order to assemble the machine part of the crane and the jib. These sections are then attached to the mast. Then, the mobile crane adds counterweights. Forklifts and crawler cranes may be a few of the other industrial machinery which is utilized to erect a crane.
As the building is erected, mast extensions are added to the crane. This is how the crane's height could match the building's height. The crane crew uses what is known as a top climber or a climbing frame which fits between the top of the mast and the slewing unit. A weight is hung on the jib by the work crew in order to balance the counterweight. Once complete, the slewing unit is able to detach from the top of the mast. In the top climber, hydraulic rams are used to adjust the slewing unit up an additional 6.1m or 20 feet. Then, the crane operator uses the crane to insert and bolt into position another mast section piece.