How Do Cranes Get Built on a Construction Site?

Blog, Cranes

How Do Cranes Get Built on a Construction Site?

You may be wondering how cranes get built on a construction site. Without the use of cranes, construction companies wouldn’t be able to construct towering skyscrapers and other large-scale projects. Cranes are extremely significant pieces of construction equipment that must be stabilized and erected before they can execute the crucial lifting activities that make them valuable on jobsites. Here’s a quick rundown of how cranes get built on a construction site.
A crane is always constructed in three separate stages.

Stage 1: A Concrete Base Is Built

Before a construction project can begin erecting a crane, it must first lay a solid foundation. This is usually done prior to the arrival of a crane on a project site. This is done by pouring concrete and anchoring the first section of a crane’s vertical pole to it. This is an essential part of tower crane building since an unsteady crane foundation might cause major issues in the future.
The concrete foundation is critical for the crane’s safe operation. Complex calculations account for all the forces operating on the crane when it lifts, rotates, and moves trolleys. When preparing the foundation, great care is required to ensure that the crane’s positioning does not interfere with subsurface services. Once the foundation is complete, the crane’s base is secured, and the remainder of the crane is ready for assembly.

Stage 2: The Tower Crane Is Assembled Using a Mobile Crane

The initial crane tower pieces and core components are lifted into place using a mobile crane. The movable crane connects various pieces of the tower until it reaches a predetermined height. Then, the mobile crane places critical components, such as the jib, counter jib, cab, turntable, and engine, and the tower crane is self-contained.
The crane will be able to erect its own tower for the remainder of the operation thanks to a novel mechanism:

  • At the tower’s base, a climbing unit is built and lifted to the top.
  • The hook raises a new tower piece, which then moves via a trolley to attach to the climbing unit.
  • A hydraulic jack elevates the tower, making room for the new tower piece, which is fastened to the tower.

Stage 3: The Tower Crane Constructs the Rest of Its Own Structure

This technique is repeated to add new tower sections, hoisting the crane higher with each successive tower component as it rises to its full height. Counterweights are carefully employed while similarly installing tower parts to ensure the crane operates on a perfectly balanced scale to prevent tipping. You’ll be able to appreciate the remarkable labor that a tower crane undertakes if you understand crane assembly.
It might be tough to set up a crane on a construction site. However, cranes allow construction companies to work more swiftly and efficiently. These heavy-lifting workhorses are necessary for completing the most difficult tasks with relative ease.
Do you want to learn how to operate and build tower cranes? West Coast Training can provide you with the classroom knowledge and practical experience you need.