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Crawler cranes are heavy duty construction equipment used for lifting and moving heavy objects and materials at construction sites. These cranes move on tracks or crawlers allowing them to traverse uneven and muddy terrain with ease. Their tracks provide stability enabling them to lift heavy loads safely.
Types of Crawler Cranes
There are different types of Crawler Cranes available depending on their lifting capacities and applications. Some common types are:
All Terrain Cranes
All terrain cranes have a maximum lifting capacity ranging from 50-300 tons. They have extended articulated booms that can reach high areas easily. Due to their mobility and lifting heights, all terrain cranes are suitable for construction of buildings, bridges, power plants etc.
Rough Terrain Cranes
Rough terrain cranes have lifting capacities between 5-200 tons. As the name suggests, they can operate in rough outdoor conditions due to their large tracks. They are commonly used in construction of towers, factories and oil rigs.
Lattice Boom Cranes
Lattice boom cranes have open lattice type booms made of metal latticework. They can lift extremely heavy weights up to 1000 tons. Due to their sturdy construction, they are suitable for heavy duty applications like handling of plant equipment, wind turbines etc.
Crawler Crane Components
Crawler cranes consist of various components that work together to perform heavy lifting tasks. Some key components are:
– Undercarriage – It consists of tracks or crawlers that provide mobility over any surface.
– Lowerworks – It includes the counterweight, engine compartment and operator cabin mounted on the undercarriage.
– Upperworks – It carries the boom, jib and other attachments used for lifting. It rotates over the lowerworks.
– Hoist winch – It is used to raise and lower the loads being lifted with the help of wire ropes.
– Boom – It is the main arm of the crane that can be luffed up and down. Booms come in lattice or hydraulic telescopic designs.
– Jib – An extension piece that increases the overall reach of the crane system.
– Counterweight – It provides balance when lifting heavy loads to increase stability.
Applications of Crawler Cranes
Due to their versatility, crawler cranes have applications across many industries:
Construction Industry
Crawler cranes form the backbone of heavy lifting activities at construction sites. They are used for applications like erecting steel structures, placing precast concrete elements, installing pipe racks etc.
Oil and Gas Industry
Rough terrain cranes are extensively used for lifting and placement of heavy machinery and equipment in oil rigs, refineries and pipeline projects.
Wind Farm Projects
Lattice boom crawler cranes are suitable for lifting and installation of wind turbine components like nacelles and blades which weigh several tons each.
Port and Shipbuilding
Gantry cranes mounted on crawlers facilitate load transfers between ship and shore. Mobile harbour cranes handle heavy ship equipment during repairs and maintenance.
Advantages of Crawler Cranes
– Excellent mobility over any terrain including mud, sand and uneven ground.
– High load lifting capacity up to 1000 tons enabling handling of very heavy objects.
– Self-propelled operation without the need for trailers making site transportation easy.
– 360 degree continuous slewing increases effective working area.
– Stable and secure lifting even in windy conditions due to large outrigger base.
– Hydraulic and electrical systems offer precise load control.
– Long operational life of over 30 years with proper maintenance and part replacements.
Crawler cranes have established themselves as versatile heavy lifting workhorses across diverse industries. Their unmatched mobility and lifting capacities make them suitable for a wide range of applications from constructing high rise buildings to handling offshore rig equipment. With new technology upgrades, the capabilities of these versatile cranes will continue to increase in the future.
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Vaagisha brings over three years of expertise as a content editor in the market research domain. Originally a creative writer, she discovered her passion for editing, combining her flair for writing with a meticulous eye for detail. Her ability to craft and refine compelling content makes her an invaluable asset in delivering polished and engaging write-ups.
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