Tower Cranes Basics

The sky's no limit when you build with industrial tower cranes

Tower cranes are familiar features in city landscapes. The tall, T-shaped cranes were developed in Europe. Their ability to shimmy up past tall buildings in small spaces between buildings has made them popular around the world. Tower cranes can be an integral part of your construction business.

Using tower cranes for construction could mean renting or buying a used tower crane. Before you rent or buy, however, you need the latest tower cranes information to educate yourself on the challenges these construction cranes present. Here are some tower cranes basics that you can use to make the best choice of crane and the best use of your tower crane:

1. Read up on safety issues that accompany tower cranes.

2. Look into tower crane rental for short-term needs.

3. Opt to buy a used tower crane to make a permanent addition to your business.

 

Know the ins and outs of tower crane use and safety

When you use a tower crane, you'll hire an experienced and licensed operator who knows how to operate the machine safely. But with tower cranes in the news lately, it's good to know the latest thinking on tower crane safety and risks.
Try: Start at "How Tower Cranes Work" at HowStuffWorks.com for basic information about tower cranes. See the Washington Post for opinions on "Tower Cranes: Efficient, Versatile -- but How Safe?" ENR.com covers tower crane safety from the construction industry standpoint at "Tower-Crane Fears Drive Regulation."

Reap the benefits of tower crane rental

Depending on your construction business, you may need a tower crane infrequently or for short periods. Rental is the best way to go in this case, and there are many nationwide tower crane manufacturers to browse. Read your rental agreement and crane inspection records carefully before signing up.
Try: American Tower Crane and Bigge Crane and Rigging are two nationwide sources for renting an industrial tower crane. Heede Southeast covers the southeastern U.S. in particular, and Sowles Steel Erectors covers the mid- and northwest areas of the U.S..

Make a permanent purchase of a used tower crane for sale

If you're ready to buy a tower crane, used is a good way to go. Just be sure that any tower crane manufacturer or sales company you buy from can verify the condition of its cranes.
Try: Alibaba has a variety of suppliers of used tower cranes, as does EC Plaza. At Rodson Universal you can compare used tower cranes by brand.

 

• Find out what industry a crane you're interested in was previously used for; if it was used on the docks, be sure it doesn't have rust damage from years of use in spray and salt water.

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