Generally the base that is bolted into a large concrete pad provides the necessary support for a tower crane. The base is connected to a tower or a mast and stabilizes the crane that is connected to the inside of the structure of the building. Often, this attachment point is to an elevator shaft or to a concrete lift.
Usually, the mast is a triangulated lattice structure measuring 10 feet square or 0.9m2. The slewing unit is connected to the very top of the mast. The slewing unit consists of a motor and a gear that enable 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 lbs. with counter weights of 20 tons. Additionally, two limit switches are used to be able to make certain that 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 surpass the ton meter load rating. Finally, the tower crane has a maximum reach of 70 meters or 230 feet.
There is certainly a science involved with erecting a tower crane, specially due to their extreme heights. At first, the stationary structure has to be transported to the construction location by using a large tractor-trailer rig setup. Then, a mobile crane is utilized so as to assemble the machine portion of the crane and the jib. Afterwards, these sections are connected to the mast. The mobile crane then adds counterweights. Forklifts and crawler cranes may be some of the other industrial machinery which is typically utilized to erect a crane.
Mast extensions are added to the crane as the building is erected. This is how the height of the crane 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 slewing unit and the top of the mast. A weight is hung on the jib by the work crew so as to balance the counterweight. When 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 extra 20 feet or 6.1m. After that, the crane driver utilizes the crane to insert and bolt into position another mast section piece.