Tower Cranes Key Terms

Get familiar with tower cranes key terms so you know what you're shopping for

If you use tower cranes for your construction projects, you should be familiar with tower cranes key terms. From the mast to the slewing unit to the arm, tower cranes can move a lot of heavy equipment and materials if you have the right configuration. You should not only be familiar with tower cranes key terms, but also with safety issues as they pertain to particular elements of the tower crane structure.

 

Base

Tower cranes need a solid base. Reinforced concrete bases are the industry standard. Once the base is complete, the tower bolts into place.
Try: Cosmo Cranes designs and installs a variety of base systems, including bases that are embedded, anchored and static.

Mast or tower

The mast is the vertical portion of the tower crane. Sometimes called the tower, the mast provides the height needed to deliver goods and materials to high job sites. Masts come in different configurations and are modular in design so that height can be adjusted as necessary.
Try: See a section of mast on Bikudo.com.

Slewing unit

The slewing unit allows the jib to operate on a crane. Mounted at the top of the tower, the slewing unit rotates the tower crane as needed to lift materials.
Try: Custom Service Crane has pictures of slewing units, as well as information.

Jib

The jib is the horizontal, working arm of a tower crane. Some tower cranes have jibs fixed in a horizontal position, while others have jibs that can raise or lower. A flexible jib crane can work in tighter areas than a fixed horizontal jib tower crane.
Try: See flexible jib tower cranes as well as other styles at DirectIndustry.

Counterweights

Counterweights give tower cranes the balance necessary to lift heavy loads on steel structures. The counterweights sit on the machine arm of the tower crane that also houses the machinery necessary to operate the crane.
Try: Information about counterweights is available at Tower Cranes of America.

Cab

The cab of the tower crane houses the operator and controls. The cab is a small area that the operator must climb into via a series of ladders on the crane mast.
Try: HowStuffWorks has a picture of a tower crane cab.

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