If you are considering a crane hire for a large or small project, you should understand the different types of cranes available. Without such knowledge, you could pick the wrong one for the job, which could cause damage or make the project take longer. Cranes are used primarily to move weights with pulleys or levers and have been around for the last 2,000 years though they are more advanced nowadays. There are five primary types of cranes available for hire, including tower, vehicle-mounted, rough terrain, crawler and aerial cranes, so understanding which one you need is important.
Aerial
Aerial cranes are also called sky cranes and are actually helicopters that are used primarily to lift heavy loads. They can be useful in situations where conventional cranes aren’t going to work and can help with disaster relief programs. However, most construction companies and individuals will not require the use of an aerial crane, and they may not be available where you live.
Crawler
The crawler crane is a type of mobile crane that doesn’t require extra stability options. It is mounted on a chassis and uses a set of tracks instead of tires, which makes it ideal for big construction sites. It has a lifting capacity of as little as 40 tons and up to 3,500 tons so that it can be used for some smaller jobs and larger ones.
Rough-Terrain
A rough-terrain option is a truck-mounted crane that uses rubber tires and is mounted to an undercarriage. These options work very well for off-the-road applications, so if your construction site isn’t easy to get to, you may require this version.
Vehicle-Mounted
Vehicle-mounted cranes are mounted onto vehicles, usually trucks so that they can be moved easily. There are multiple versions of these cranes, and they come in various sizes and vehicle options. The best part about these options is they are mounted to a vehicle, so extra stability and equipment aren’t necessary to move or use them.
Tower
A tower crane is the most common version and is used for most commercial projects. It was developed in Europe but is used all over the world now. They are usually employed to construct tall buildings, such as towers and skyscrapers. They must be fixed into the ground during their use so they can’t tip over as they carry heavy loads.
Learning about the different crane types used in crane hire will make it much easier to choose the right one for the project. Visit Tooley’s Crane Hire today to learn more about them and their services.
