top of page
Writer's pictureCarmen Zajicek

How Do Cranes Get on Top of Skyscrapers?

A giant crane on the top of a tall building raises many questions in one’s mind.

How does it get up there? How do operators bring it back to the ground? Is it safe to install a crane on a skyscraper? Etc.

You might’ve heard people saying that a helicopter is used to carry the crane or another crane is used to transport dissembled crane parts on top of skyscrapers. While these answers are convincing and sensible to some extent, there’s still a lot of information missing.

In this detailed blog, we will give you the highly sought answer! So let’s get started.


Types of Crane Climbing Methods


Cranes are deployed on skyscraper rooftops for a number of reasons, among which maintenance, construction, and repairs are the most common.

The experts at Crane Warning Systems Atlanta have curated this blog to tell you about the three methods used to get cranes on top of high-rise buildings.


1.External Climbing Method


The external climbing method keeps the crane base affixed to the ground. It uses a concrete slab to maintain a crane erection against smaller crane equipment such as a mobile crane.

Once the high-rise building is about more than 150 feet tall, the crane is secured against the building using metallic collars and inserts. The backbone of the crane is held straight to ensure balance and grit. Moving further, a sturdy metal sheath is scaled from a tower crane using strong support from another tower crane.

The external raising or climbing method is unarguably the safest and most effective way to employ crane equipment on top of a skyscraper. It not only allows construction companies to perform a variety of hard tasks on rooftops but also speeds up productivity and results. Cranes allow construction teams to reduce downtime while working with high-rise anchor points and ensure safe material movement and management.



2.Internal Climbing Method


This method is used when a crane is employed on top of a high-rise building from within the construction site. An actual or a makeshift corridor is created in the center of the building.

The crane is elevated using a hydraulic cylinder at the base through the hollow corridor. An additional steel beam is attached at the bottom, giving the equipment a sturdier base.


3.Sky Crane Method


The third method used to employ cranes on skyscrapers is known as the sky crane or the heavy-lift helicopter method. This process is suitable at bigger construction sites where cranes have to load and move thousands of tons.

However, the sky crane method can be quite expensive since a load-bearing helicopter is required to perform the tasks. This method is also logistically very difficult and mandates holistic risk assessment to ensure the safety and wellbeing of employees, equipment, and material.

Crane operators and managers should always stay one step ahead in accident prevention at job sites. To steer clear of load imbalances, slips, and strikes, install high-quality LMI and RCI systems for cranes.

Experts recommend RaycoWylie crane safety products that are designed to improve crane operation safety and offer superior functionality.


Crane Warning Systems Atlanta: Your Ultimate Crane Safety Partner


At CWSA, you can buy crane load moment indicators and RCI systems that can take your crane equipment to the next level.

RaycoWylie LMI or RCI systems for boom cranes are some of the best crane safety equipment available in the US. The firm offers an extensive range of RaycoWylie products and crane parts to make your business safer and more profitable.

Whether you’re looking for wireless anemometers for cranes, crane safety Load Monitoring Systems, or crane overload system, check out CWSA’s latest product manuals or contact us today!





7,694 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page