How Do Cranes Get Transported

How Do Cranes Get Transported

Meta Description: Learn how cranes are safely transported to construction sites. Explore crane types, transportation methods, safety measures, and necessary permits.

Transporting cranes safely and efficiently between construction sites requires careful planning due to their size and specialization.

This article examines the unique transportation needs of different crane types used in construction projects and the meticulous preparation process of moving these vital pieces of heavy equipment. Understanding how each crane is transported is crucial for construction planning.

Key Takeaways

• Mobile, tower, crawler, rough-terrain, and all-terrain cranes have unique size and configuration factors influencing their transportation needs.
• Thorough inspection, repair, and component securing/disassembly processes are required to prepare cranes for transport safely.
• Transportation methods vary depending on crane type but may involve over-the-road, rail, or water transport using specialized trailers and route planning for oversized loads.
• Understanding the transportation requirements of different cranes is vital for construction project planning and budgeting.

Crane Types and Their Unique Transportation Needs

The various types of cranes used in construction projects have their specialized functions and unique transportation requirements due to size, weight, and configuration differences. Careful planning is necessary to transport each crane type safely from one job site to another.

1. Mobile Cranes

Mobile cranes are renowned for their versatility and ease of transport compared to other crane types. These cranes are designed for mobility, and many are roadworthy, allowing medium and smaller mobile cranes to travel over public roads under their power or on large trucks.

This makes them suitable for rapid deployment to multiple job sites where their lifting capabilities are needed. However, even mobile cranes may require escort vehicles and permits for oversized loads if they are too tall or wide for regular transport.

Their ability to reach sites quickly using the transportation network helps mobile cranes solidify their place as indispensable tools for lifting tasks across different construction projects.

2. Tower Cranes

Tower cranes are frequently used to construct buildings to lift heavy loads to higher floors. These cranes usually consist of several hundred feet of tower sections that must be separated into roadworthy components for transport to job sites.

Once on site, the large and specialist tower crane type requires careful planning to reassemble the components safely. The process of disassembly into roadworthy sections and reassembly once delivered allows tower cranes to be indispensable equipment for erecting the structure of tall buildings efficiently.

3. Crawler Cranes

Crawler cranes are well-suited for construction sites with rough terrain thanks to their ability to navigate challenging surfaces. However, their size and weight often necessitate disassembly into transportable components when moving between job sites farther apart.

The tracks that stabilize these cranes on uneven ground can also make them difficult to transport intact over long distances. Despite occasional disassembly for transport, crawler cranes are invaluable equipment for projects requiring lifting power in off-road environments where conventional wheeled cranes may struggle.

4. Rough-Terrain Cranes

Rough-terrain cranes are specially designed construction equipment suited to job sites with challenging terrain. Their robust build allows operation in off-road environments where conventional cranes may struggle—however, their substantial weight and size present transport challenges over longer distances.

Like crawler cranes, rough-terrain cranes often require disassembly into roadworthy components for transport between construction sites far apart. Specialized trailers and route planning are usually needed to move these cranes safely as oversized machinery. Once on-site, though, their lifting power proves invaluable for projects on uneven ground.

5. All-Terrain Cranes

All-terrain cranes are versatile and valued for their ability to operate on roads and in off-road conditions. This makes them suitable equipment for a wide range of construction projects. Their mobility is an asset whether navigating public roads or temporary access routes to job sites.

However, transport requires careful planning due to their large size and weight. All-terrain cranes may utilize specialized trailers or transport arrangements to move between sites as large machinery safely.

Their adaptability to various terrains while providing lifting capacity makes all-terrain cranes crucial for construction flexibility.

Preparing Cranes for Transport

Proper preparation is key to transporting cranes safely between construction sites. A thorough process is required to prepare these large equipment pieces for movement.

Inspection and Repairs

Thorough inspections of the crane’s type are conducted before transport. This identifies hazards like loose parts, damaged components, or other issues. Inspections ensure all systems are functioning properly and the crane is roadworthy before transport. Any necessary repairs or replacements are made to avoid problems en route.

Securing Components

For cranes requiring disassembly, components like booms and counterweights must be carefully separated and secured. This prevents shifting or unexpected movement of heavy equipment during transport. Straps and fasteners are used to attach separate parts to specialized trailers safely.

Disassembly

Complete or partial disassembly into roadworthy sections may be needed based on the crane’s size and configuration. This is especially important for tower and crawler cranes. A specialist team properly dismantles sections of the crane to prepare it for transport in a manner that allows reassembly on site.