Tower cranes are known for their massive size, loading capacity, radius reach, and stability. They’re one of the finest and most efficient material movement equipment available in the industrial markets right now.
Cranes can be mesmerizing to look at. They’re a technological feat that humans will be proud of for many years to come. However, understanding cranes and their operations can be a bit confusing for a non-specialist. Crane Warning Systems Atlanta is a leading crane safety devices and products supplier offering a wide range of RCI, LMI, and ATB devices nationwide. We’re focused on helping crane operators and managers to improve crane safety.
In addition, we want to educate our website blog readers and clients about modern-day crane safety practices. Today, our experts have shared awesome facts and details about how tower cranes are assembled, installed, and prepared for operations. So let’s get into the details without any further ado!
What is a Tower Crane, and What Is It Used for?
Let’s brush up on the basics of tower cranes before we talk about their assembly and storage procedures. A tower crane is a material management machine made of regular crane components like a hook, hoist, cabin, and engine. It comes with wire ropes and a long jib for easier and smoother loading, unloading, and arm extension.
Tower cranes are an essential material movement and rigging tool used in the construction, production, manufacturing, and mining industries. They not only get the job done faster but also improve crane operators’ safety.
Tower Crane Assembly—A Difficult Job to Master
Bulky crane types, including bridge, tower, and gantry cranes, are difficult to assemble and operate. You have to hire highly qualified engineers and operators to set up crane equipment at construction or industrial worksites. Moreover, correct assembling and transportation processes are essential to ensure overall equipment safety.
When it comes to tower crane assembly, one has to stay vigilant, careful, and compliant. OSHA and NCCCO have listed a complete set of codes to help crane workers assemble tower cranes safely.
One of the most common tower crane assembly methods is called a top-climbing assembly, or assembling a tower crane using a climber. This method is quite difficult to pull off and can lead to deadly accidents if not carried out by professionals. Top-climbing entailed assembling, mantling, dismantling, positioning, moving, and repositioning tower crane parts.
If you haven’t already, you must read our extremely informative and interesting blog about
how cranes are transported and stored. It will give you a deeper insight into crane assembly and disassembly practices.
Tower Crane Top-Climbing Assembly—Explained
Safe crane operations rely on a sturdy assembly process and crane part assembly. During top-climbing, a tower crane, operators and engineers have to study and assess the crane’s structure. It’s important to install relevant supporting equipment to create gaps for mast and crane parts.
A climber for tower crane assembly comes with several small and big components, including middle and top weight balancers. These balancers are an essential tool to determine and stick to the center of gravity where your tower crane is positioned.
The balancers also have a set of operational and durable wheels that help reach a tower crane’s topmost point.
How to Ensure Safe Tower Crane Top-Climbing Assembly?
Tower crane manufacturers are responsible enough to help the crane buyers install tower cranes using the top-climbing method. They not only state the process details in the product manual but also offer critical guidelines for:
A hydraulic pump assembly
Ram transportation and fixing
Custom climbers to simplify tower crane assembly
Mast guidelines to help crane operators create a foolproof mast movement floorplan
Custom K-frame assembly tools
Check out OSHA guidelines for safe crane assembly and disassembly today. How to Make Tower Crane Top-Climbing Assembly Safer?
Tower cranes are tall and wide, and using a climber to assemble them is a challenging task. That’s where we’ve laid out the safety practices that can help you optimize top-climbing assembly safety:
Install crane safety and warning devices such as an LMI and RCI system to maintain correct load and weight limits
Install a crane wireless wind speed indicators to keep track of wind speed, direction, and thrush
Install support for operators and allow them adequate time to complete the assembly process
Install warning signage and lights around the assembly area to alert crane crew and pedestrians about an ongoing top-climbing assembly process
Don’t miss out on an Anti-Two Blocking device as it’s extremely useful for reducing mechanical risks
Always remember that top-climbing tower crane assembly requires detailed planning, safety equipment, and adjacent support.
Tower cranes are commonly used against an under-construction building, especially during the erecting stage. You should consider using the top-climbing technique when installing a tower crane in busier areas. This process doesn’t require a large space and mounts each crane component on top of one another.
How Can Crane Warning Systems Atlanta Help You?
At Crane Warning Systems Atlanta, we are all about maximizing crane safety and crane operators’ wellbeing. Our team is dedicated to offering the most well-rounded, high-quality set of products that includes RCI, LMI, and crane wind speed indicators.
Our wide range of products includes but isn’t limited to:
CANBUS Load cell interface
i4000 load indicator
i4500 LMI – RCI system
Wireless anemometers for cranes
Portable links and shackles
ATB warning systems
Sensors and ATB parts
You can explore our website to access troubleshooting guides and wiring diagrams. Contact us now to learn more, or place an order for RaycoWylie crane safety products right away!