Parts of a Tower Crane
Tower cranes enable the construction industry to make some incredible structures. These cranes have been designed to reach ever-increasing heights. Tower cranes offer the means to move and raise supplies, tools and building parts around a construction location. There are a few different components that assemble a tower crane once they are put together. Putting a tower crane together uses different pieces of construction machinery.
Base
The base of a tower crane is usually made from a steel unit. The base of the unit connects to a custom pad made of concrete. This kind of set-up provides the structure with stability. Generally, the construction has to be well engineered and built so as to operate at optimum safety.
Mast
The mast on the tower crane provides the equipment with its overall height. The mast is constructed out of individual steel parts which are connected together. The amount of sections determines the crane's height. Normally, a tower crane has a design that allows the mast to grow during construction by adding further parts as the building process goes on. This way the crane's height can be specified, making sure that it has enough height to safely and efficiently carry out the required work.
Slewing Unit/Top Climber
Above the mast is the slewing unit. It houses the motor and machines that enables the crane to rotate. A top climber is the piece of machine which allows the mast to grow. The top climber sits just below the slewing unit. Hydraulic rams inside the top climber enable the slewing unit to be detached from the mast by raising it higher.
Boom
"Boom" is a term which particularly refers to the tower crane's working arm. The boom is made of steel sections connected together, that extend out from the top of the slewing unit, parallel to the ground. There is a trolley connected to the base that could run the length of the boom. This particular trolley has the hoisting mechanism.