Hook tower crane

Types of hook tower cranes

A hook tower crane, known as a tower crane, is a fixed or vertical lifting machinery used in large construction projects. This crane consists of a tall vertical post (the tower), with a horizontal arm extending at the top (the jib), and a hoist or hook system that performs the lifting tasks. As one of the most widely used construction equipment, there are two common types of tower cranes based on how the installation and operational methods.

• Classic crane: Classic cranes are large and commonly seen in the city skyline. The base of the crane is anchored to the ground, and it grows with the help of self-climbing boosting systems that use already-built structures as a base to climb. The classic crane has a horizontal jib that moves back and forth along a vertical tower. The load is controlled horizontally by motorized trolleys and lifted by hoists that are suspended from the jib.
• Mini crane: Mini cranes, also known as mobile cranes, can be moved to job sites by trucks and unloaded with trailers or pick-up trucks. Their load-bearing capacities mostly range between 2 to 6 tons and are controlled by remote control. They are perfect for tight sites where materials have to be brought off in limited spaces or areas with a lot of foot traffic.

Specification and Maintenance

Several specifications are important in understanding how the hook tower crane works. These include the height, load capacity, lifting speed, radius, and other features.

• Height: The height of hook tower cranes typically ranges between 30 and 80 meters. However, they can be built as high as 100 meters or more. The crane tower can be assembled vertically at a height of 6 meters to add extra height during the construction process.
• Lifting Capacity: This refers to the maximum amount of load that a hook tower crane can carry. The load capacity of these cranes can range from 2 to 12 tons. Some can even carry more than 20 tons of weight. For such high capacities, the crane's structure is built to be stronger, along with larger counterweights to offer stability.
• Lifting Speed: The speed at which loads are lifted affects the overall productivity of a construction project. This speed influences how much rental businesses charge their customers. This specification is important when considering the workflow of a project. The tower crane's lifting speed usually ranges from 1 m/min to 3 m/min. However, this speed can be increased to 5 m/min when transporting materials on the hook tower crane's hooks.
• Radius: Radius refers to the maximum horizontal distance up to which the crane can extend and lift materials. This radius can be between 40 to 70 meters. And it can also be increased by adding additional sections to the horizontal jib.
• Additional Features: Most hook tower cranes now have computer systems that can monitor and control various aspects of the construction business. These include load capacity, lifting height, radius, and speed. There are also safety features such as anti-collision devices, limit switches, overload protection, and wind speed monitors. These devices prevent accidents by alerting operators or automatically shutting down the crane if a load is too heavy or the wind speed is high.

Maintenance

Like other types of cranes, hook tower cranes need constant maintenance. Regular inspection should also be a part of the maintenance routine. This is necessary for safety and to find any equipment issues that can be dangerous.

Operators should make a schedule for periodic maintenance and inspection. The schedule should be in-line with manufacturers' recommendations and the crane's usage conditions. A qualified technician or certified inspector should carry out the routine maintenance and inspection.

Some common maintenance tasks include:

• Lubrication of moving parts such as rails, gears, and bearings.
• Replacement of worn or damaged components, especially the wire ropes and tires.
• Adjustments to ensure proper alignment, leveling, and tension of parts.
• Calibration and configuration of electronic systems and safety devices to verify that they are functioning properly.

Scenarios of Hook Tower Cranes

• Construction Industry

  In the construction industry, hook tower cranes remain very useful pieces of equipment. They help in many types of construction projects, ranging from high-rise buildings to bridges.

• Large-scale Projects

  For large projects like power plants, industrial complexes, or infrastructure developments, hook tower cranes are the ideal choice.

• Installation of Heavy Components

  Heavy components like girders, precast concrete elements, or large machinery can be easily and accurately installed using hook tower cranes.

• Logistics and Material Handling

  In large storage facilities, ports, or logistics centers, hook tower cranes optimize material handling operations and streamline the logistics flow.

• Renewable Energy

  In the renewable energy sector, hook tower cranes play a crucial role in the construction and installation of wind energy facilities.

How to choose hook tower cranes

When choosing the hook tower crane for sale, the following factors must be considered:

• Site Conditions and Configuration

  Assess the characteristics of the construction site and select a crane with an appropriate height and radius. The floor-level configuration is also important. For example, adopting a climbing system may be a solution for projects with limited ground space.

• Load Capacity and Weight of Materials

  Estimate the maximum weight of materials that need to be lifted and the required load capacity. Take into account not only the weight but also the dimensions of the materials.

• Project Schedule and Frequency of Use

  Consider the duration of the project and the frequency of crane operation. For projects that require long-term use, it may be better to invest in a tower crane with a climbing system or to use rental services for cranes with a flat rate.

• Operation and Safety Requirements

  Consider the requirements for crane operation and safety, such as the need for remote control, cabin comfort, and compliance with safety standards. Choose a tower crane that meets the project's operational and safety requirements.

FAQ

Q1: How do crane hooks prevent loads from slipping?

A1: The crane hooks are designed to hold the load by using a shaped piece of metal that looks like a question mark. When the load is put on the hook, the curvy part naturally keeps it in place, stopping it from slipping or falling off. This shape also makes it easier to pick up heavy things without needing extra tools.

Q2: What does the future hold for crane hook technology?

A2: In the future, crane hooks may have more smart features like sensors to keep track of how heavy things are and if they're working well. This would help keep track of maintenance and prevent overloading. Also, using lighter but strong materials like advanced composites could make the hooks even better. They might be designed to work with automatic cranes in places like big factories and construction areas, where machines could do the lifting without human help. So, while crane hooks will still be simple, they might include more technology to make them safer and more useful for modern jobs.

Q3: What is the weight of a tower crane hook?

A3: The weight of a tower crane hook can differ based on its size and what it's made of, but usually, it weighs between 25 to 45 kilograms. Bigger hooks, meant for super heavy jobs, can be even heavier, up to 200 kilograms or more, to handle really big weights.