How Do Construction Cranes Work?

Learn about construction cranes
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Construction cranes are generally used to carry and move large loads, heavy materials, or goods for several construction-related purposes. Crane rental companies can provide superb crane service with the correct crane for your construction project. Understanding a little about the types of crane, history, and how they may fit your specific construction project can be key to understanding how much it costs to rent a crane from crane rental companies.

Construction cranes are an invaluable asset of the construction industry as they make various operations possible and accessible in the construction industry. They are extremely useful for the construction of high buildings as well as in unreachable areas.

Types Of Construction Cranes

Crane rental companies are present to help you in construction with different types of crane services. Crane rental pricing is also greatly affected by the type of crane service you rent. Some examples include:

  • Tower crane 
  • Crawler crane  
  • Railroad crane 
  • Harbor crane 
  • Aerial crane 
  • Level luffing crane 
  • Vehicle-mounted crane 
  • Rough terrain crane  
  • Telescopic handler crane 
  • Floating crane 
  • Telescopic crane 

History Of The Construction Crane 

For hundreds of years, people have invented techniques to carry heavy loads and move them where they were required. The history of the construction crane is closely associated with the history of the limits of man’s power. Ancient Greeks were the first in the world who used lifting equipment.  As early as 515 BC, peculiar cuttings for lifting lewis irons and tongs were found on stone pieces of Greek temples. These proved the first blueprints for today’s modern cranes. 

The concept of construction cranes was based on pulley systems initially adopted by ancient Mesopotamians as early as 1500 BC.  Around 287-212 BC, Archimedes of Syracuse created the first compound pulley, which was used to lift an entire warship. The compound pulley had many advantages and disadvantages. The disadvantages led to the development of rudders and capstans. The power of circular motion was identified and used in the creation of harbor cranes. At that time, these cranes were manually powered by windlasses that had radiating cranks and spokes. 

The construction cranes remained hand-powered for hundreds of years; after that, hydraulic technology was evolved. Much later in the 19th century, the escalation of ironworks and industrialization led to the development that cranes were finally constructed with Iron. The first cast iron crane was developed in 1834. An opening move towards the hydraulic crane was taken in 1851 when hand-operated cranes finally began to run on steam power. 

Today’s modern hydraulic cranes are created with improved specifications and materials than the cranes in 1800, but they rely upon the same hydraulic and mechanical principles developed hundred years ago. 

Modern hydraulic cranes are infused with incompressible fluid usually. Variations in the essential and simple control of fluid movement has made it possible to design large-capacity cranes. 

Future Of Construction Cranes 

In the present day, mobile hydraulic cranes possess a load capacity of 1200 tons with a resonance extending to 328 feet. Stationary cranes possess massive capacity; the mobile crane is advantageous for temporary construction. But what modern construction cranes are like today? The construction companies are designing improved remote monitoring and support systems. For remote monitoring, efficient sensors are infused in the crane to collect data, including emergency stops, motor starts and running time. The remote support system comprises experts ready to come up with troubleshooting and issue solving to turn down the unexpected downtime. 

How Do Construction Cranes Work In The Construction Business?

Cranes are vitally important in the construction business as they can lift heavy objects and move them. Pulleys and cables attached to cranes develop mechanical power that can be efficiently used to lift and lower stuff and move them horizontally far beyond the natural human capabilities.  

Fundamental laws of physics govern the efficiency and power of cranes. The most important things to be considered in a crane are its lifting capacity and tense movements. The counterbalancing weight is also essential. Weights beyond the crane’s tensile strength must be removed to ensure the proper functioning of the crane. 

Cranes are available in various shapes and sizes, and they possess a range of different features. Here are some critical features of crane that are usually considered before using a crane service from crane rental companies: 

Lifting range– the destination of the luggage is important to be considered 

Working radius– the area must be suitable for operating the crane 

Lifting capacity– it estimates the maximum weight the crane can manage 

Lift angle– the angle of lift is significant to consider since it follows that the capacity of lift decreases with a high angle lift 

Mobility– the space required to establish the crane must be considered. Is there a need to manage a tower crane? 

Set up time– The projects that need minimal disruptions to require mobile tower cranes as these cranes have a fast setup time. 

Weight and dimensions– the space and area of the construction site are essential to consider to ensure that the size and mobility of the crane will get well fitted. The restrictions of the working area will decide the best type of crane to use. 

Night working– To work at night, improved equipment standards, appropriate lighting and quieter operations are required. 

How Much Does It Cost To Rent A Crane?

Cranes are the most potent equipment to carry and move heavy loads in various types of constructions.Renting a crane is the most convenient way to access various cranes rather than to purchase them. Renting a crane has become very simple as you can rent a crane by an online rental network or local crane service.  

While renting a crane service from crane rental companies, it is essential to consider the following: 

Prices for standard crane rentals 

Benefits of renting a crane service rather than purchasing it 

Factors that influence the rental price  

While you rent a crane, always consider the extra cost that may be involved: 

Qualified personnel: All cranes require well-trained and professional operators, riggers and signal persons, which are essentially required for safe operation. 

Assembly and delivery: Most of the cranes need to be delivered to the workplace like crawler cranes and even require assembly like tower cranes. 

Permits: some cranes cannot be operated without a permit, so it is necessary to check your regional jurisdiction, estimate the charges and paperwork involved. 

Other fees: while estimating how much does it cost to rent a crane service from crane rental companies, it is necessary to consider the charges involved in the disconnection of utility lines, to make ready a lift plan, paying for additional hours and some other costs. 

The most paramount factors in determining the cost to rent a crane service from crane rental companies are: 

  • Type of crane 
  • Location 
  • Current demand 
  • Lifting capacity 

All these factors will help you a lot to estimate how much does it cost to rent a crane service from crane rental companies. 

Renting a crane service is more advantageous compared to the purchase of a crane. Crane rental companies provide affordable pricing, savings, and no devaluation costs. Furthermore, you can rent a different type of crane for every project that will meet the demands of your project. You do not have to be stuck to a single model that will not always help you in all situations. Additionally, you do not have to pay for its maintenance when it is not being used. So, renting a crane service from crane rental companies will prove very profitable for your construction business. 

Jared Maxwell

Jared Maxwell

Jared has been a NCCCO certified operator for over 15 years and is a certified lift plan professional. He enjoys spending time with his wife and dogs along with training BJJ.

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