As the name suggests, these cranes are used in rough terrain—areas where traditional cranes cannot be used. A rough terrain crane needs to have certain features in order to perform well in tough conditions. In this blog post, we will explore the five most important features that make a rough terrain crane versatile.
1.Two-axle, Wheel-mounted Cranes with Telescopic Booms
A rough terrain crane needs to have at least two sets of wheels, which could be two sets of parallel wheels or two sets of tandem wheels, in order to move easily through areas with uneven surfaces. A rough terrain crane with only one set of wheels has limited maneuverability and will get stuck easily in the muddy terrain. The wheel-mounted cranes that are used in rough terrain have telescoping booms as well that can increase climbing power when added to the already powerful tracks.
2.Multiple Steering System with Swiveling Wheels
A rough terrain crane needs a steering system that can maneuver in tight spaces when there are obstacles around, so the steering system must have swiveling wheels for smooth movement in these types of conditions. Ideally, it should have three modes-front-wheel steerings, all-wheel centric, and all-wheel crabbing.
3.Bigger Tires
A rough terrain crane needs larger tires than traditional cranes in order to travel on rough surfaces with ease. Larger tires also allow the crane to travel easily on soft muddy grounds without sinking in too much.
4.Bigger Engine for Better Power
Rough terrain cranes need bigger engines than their standard counterparts because they are required to perform tasks that normal cranes cannot handle under rough conditions. A rough terrain crane can be powered by different types of engines but is most commonly powered by a diesel engine or gas turbine engine, which provides more power and torque than other engine types.
5.Tighter Turn Radius To Enhance Maneuverability
A rough terrain crane needs to have a tight turn radius to effectively maneuver through various obstacles. It should have independent or hydraulic steering with 2-3 steering modes as discussed earlier for maximum maneuverability.
6. More Stability for Hard Work
Traditionally, cranes are usually built with the highest center of gravity possible to increase stability, but rough terrain cranes are not dependent on this feature. A rugged crane should have more stability and can be built with a higher center of gravity compared to a normal crane. In other words, it should be low and as close to the ground as possible.
7. An Occupant Protection System
In the event of a crane accident, a rough terrain crane must have an occupant protection system in order to protect the workers from any injury when the crane drops suddenly. In addition to this, the system should be able to lock and unlock within two seconds or less to prevent further damage even if it does drop.
For example, a cable system that is released at a preset speed can avoid collisions between cranes and persons. The occupant protection system should be able to fit into a standard-size truck along with an oversized trailer as well as meet other safety regulations as required by OSHA.
At Crane Warning Systems Atlanta, we offer a wide range of reliable crane supplies and safety products for construction sites across the US. We have products such as crane load monitors, portable cameras, crane RCI indicators, crane anemometer, crane LMI systems, among other parts, to augment crane safety systems. For inquiries and estimates, you can contact us at 770-888-8083.
Comments