How Are Cranes Moved To Construction Sites?

How Are Cranes Moved To Construction Sites?

Meta Description: Explore the transportation of heavy cranes to construction sites, including the role of crane operators and the importance of proper planning for safe and efficient assembly.

Cranes are essential machinery used across various construction projects. With different types of cranes serving specific purposes, transportation of cranes to job sites requires careful planning.

This article analyzes how factors like crane type and size, site conditions, and access determine transport needs. It further explores the various methods deployed for efficiently moving mobile and fixed cranes so they are ready for use on construction sites.

Key Takeaways:

• Crane type and size, as well as site conditions, determine transportation needs.
• Mobile cranes with road access can drive between sites, while others traverse off-road.
• Tower cranes are dismantled into smaller parts for transport and reassembled onsite.
• Newer self-erecting and climbing tower cranes are installed with less effort.
• Proper evaluation of project requirements aids in the selection of the right transportation solution

Types of Cranes Used in Construction

The construction industry relies on different types of cranes to lift and transport heavy materials. The two main categories are mobile cranes and fixed cranes.

Mobile Cranes

Mobile cranes like rough terrain cranes, crawler cranes, and truck-mounted cranes can move around job sites on their own power. Rough terrain cranes have large wheels allowing them to traverse uneven grounds safely.

Crawler cranes move on tracks and are suitable for operating in tight or limited spaces. Truck-mounted cranes with folding booms are ideal for lifting loads over short distances on public roads.

Fixed or Stationary Cranes

Fixed cranes include tower cranes and luffing jib cranes assembled on-site in separate components. Tower cranes, sometimes reaching several hundred feet, are disassembled into smaller component parts for transport.

A climbing unit or hydraulic jack allows certain tower cranes to climb the construction building. Luffing jib cranes have a movable horizontal boom that helps lift loads at variable heights efficiently. Both these fixed cranes require careful planning and coordination for transport and on-site assembly using smaller mobile cranes.

Determining Crane Transportation Needs

The type of crane needed for the job and site-specific factors dictate how cranes are transported.

1. Crane Type and Size

Whether it is a mobile crane like a rough terrain crane, tower crane, or luffing jib crane, the transportation method varies based on the crane’s type and size. Large tower cranes reaching several hundred feet are disassembled into smaller component parts for transport compared to medium-sized mobile cranes.

2. Site Conditions and Access

The conditions at the construction site, especially access, also impact crane mobility. Job sites located within tall buildings or with limited space require careful planning for assembling cranes on site.

Sites without road access necessitate cranes equipped to operate safely across uneven grounds, such as rough terrain cranes. Proper evaluation of potential hazards and obstacles aids the transportation of oversized loads.

Transporting Mobile Cranes

Mobile cranes provide flexibility for transporting and operating in different job sites.

Roadworthy Cranes

Many mobile cranes like truck-mounted cranes are roadworthy vehicles that can be easily driven on public roads over short distances between construction projects. These cranes with folding booms are suitable for lifting loads during transport.

Medium-sized mobile cranes can also drive on roads if permitted, with requirements like escorting vehicles in busy areas.

Cranes with Off-Road Capabilities

For construction sites without road access, rough terrain cranes with heavy-duty wheels/tracks and four-wheel drive are optimal. Equipped to traverse uneven grounds safely, they can access remote job sites and operate within tall buildings and limited spaces.

Crawler cranes similarly move on tracks and maneuver heavy loads over unstable surfaces. Proper evaluation of a crane’s mobility aids transportation depending on site conditions.

Advances in Crane Transportation

New technologies now make transporting and erecting tower cranes more efficient.

Self-Erecting Tower Cranes

As an innovative development, self-erecting tower cranes are driven to job sites assembled as a single unit. Using an internal hydraulic system, they can unfold and erect without dismantling. The crane is ready to lift and construct the building in about an hour. This spares the effort of disassembling and reassembling with smaller cranes on site.

Climbing or Jumping Tower Cranes

Certain tower cranes called ‘climbing units’ can climb the constructed building along with its progress. A hydraulic jack allows the crane and operator’s cab to lift itself floor by floor, always remaining at the top to lift loads.

Alternatively, ‘jumping cranes’ move up a few floors at a time, then jump to a higher position, ensuring efficient lifting throughout the project.

Choosing the Right Crane Transport Solution

Proper evaluation of project needs guides the selection of optimal transportation methods. Factors like the type and size of crane required, site conditions, load weight, and lifting capacity influence transport decisions. Tower cranes involving disassembly into smaller component parts for long-distance movement may need specialized trucks.

Mobile cranes traveling public roads must consider load dimensions, potential hazards, and permit requirements. Transporting taller cranes or oversized loads to jobs within tall buildings necessitates equipment like heavy-duty trailers and rigging.

Off-road capable cranes are suited for constructing remote sites without access. Overall, careful planning of a crane’s transport based on project needs ensures safe and efficient delivery for on-site operations.