It would be all but impossible to build bridges, high-rises, roads, or any other large project without the involvement cranes. The crane has been a part of the working landscape since its invention in ancient Greece and used as early as 515 BC. Records indicate cranes were used for water irrigation in ancient Mesopotamia, thousands of years earlier. There are a number of ancient structures, if built in the modern day, would require some sort of crane.
Using cables and pulleys and leveraging fundamental mechanical principles, a crane operator can lift and lower loads far exceeding human capability. Crane designs have developed overtime to meet the many demands of industrial needs. Due to this, modern cranes often have simple systems to achieve complex lifting tasks – sometimes in environments that are dangerous for human workers.
1.Tower Crane
Tower cranes are iconic symbols of urban construction, built for exceptional height and strength. These stationary cranes shape city skylines and are vital for erecting towering structures such as skyscrapers and bridges.
Key Features
Secured to a concrete base or anchored to the structure for stability.
A long, rotating jib (horizontal arm) enables extensive reach.
Counterweights maintain balance during heavy lifting.
Applications
High-rise construction: Perfect for hoisting materials like steel, concrete, and machinery to significant heights.
Infrastructure projects: Commonly used for bridges, towers, and other tall structures.
Benefits
Unmatched height: Tower cranes can reach incredible heights, making them indispensable for vertical construction.
Heavy Lifting Capacity: Designed to effortlessly lift tonnes of material.
Wide Coverage: The rotating jib enables efficient movement of materials across large areas.
2.Mobile Cranes
Among the most versatile and widely used cranes in construction, mobile cranes are mounted on trucks or wheeled platforms, ensuring easy transport and quick deployment.
Key Features
Telescopic boom for adjustable reach.
Can be driven directly to job sites.
Easy setup and teardown, saving time and labour.
Applications
General construction: Perfect for smaller projects and residential builds.
Material handling: Suited for transporting and unloading construction materials.
Tight spaces: Their compact design allows operation in confined areas.
Benefits
Portability: Easily transported between job sites.
Efficiency: Quick setup reduces downtime.
Flexibility: Capable of managing a range of lifting tasks, from light to medium loads.
3.Crawler Crane
For projects demanding heavy lifting in challenging conditions, crawler cranes are the perfect solution. Featuring tracks (crawlers) instead of wheels, they offer superior stability on uneven or soft terrain.
Key Features
Tracks provide excellent weight distribution and stability.
Capable of lifting extremely heavy loads.
Long boom for extended reach.
Applications
Industrial construction: Essential for power plants, refineries, and large-scale projects.
Infrastructure projects: Ideal for building bridges, highways, and dams.
Remote sites: Well-suited for off-road and rugged environments.
Benefits
Terrain adaptability: Tracks provide stability on uneven ground.
High load capacity: Capable of lifting some of the heaviest loads in construction.
No need for outriggers: Their design eliminates the requirement for additional stabilisers.
4.Overhead Cranes
Also known as bridge cranes, overhead cranes are commonly used in controlled indoor environments such as factories and warehouses.
Key Features
Horizontal beam (bridge) runs on tracks along two parallel runways.
A hoist moves along the bridge for lifting and transferring materials.
Perfect for indoor use in an industrial environment.
Applications
Manufacturing plants: Transporting heavy materials across assembly lines.
Warehouses: Efficiently handling goods in storage facilities.
Repetitive tasks: Designed for continuous, accurate material handling.
Benefits
Precision: Perfect for environments requiring accurate material placement.
Efficiency: Streamlines material movement, reducing manual labour.
Compact design: Maximises overhead space in factory and warehouse settings.
5. Rough Terrain Cranes
The rough terrain crane is usually operated in areas that are not flat and where there are obstacles in the way. Rough terrain cranes are designed for off-road construction sites with challenging ground conditions. Built with a four-wheel drive and robust tyres, they can handle uneven or rough surfaces. The crane is designed to adapt to challenging environments. This crane is mostly used in construction in rough terrain like mountains where many materials have to be transported from one area to another. Rough terrain cranes are designed to handle the added challenge.
Key Features
Compact design for easy navigation.
Outriggers provide stability during lifting.
Single-engine system powers both the crane and undercarriage.
Applications
Oil and gas construction: Commonly utilised on remote energy sites.
Outdoor projects: Ideal for large-scale construction in demanding environments.
Frequent repositioning: Easy to move around job sites with uneven terrain.
Benefits
Manoeuvrability: Can navigate difficult environment with ease.
Stability: Outriggers ensure safe lifting operations.
Durability: Built to endure tough environments.
Here at Omnia Machinery we have a wide selection of quality used cranes for sale, ready to be put to work on your upcoming projects. We offer mobile cranes, crawler cranes and off-shore cranes from a selection of leading manufacturers such as Liebherr, Grove, Tadano Faun, Terex Demag and more. We will ensure that the specification of the machine matches up to the project it is required for. Before shipment, we always ensure that our cranes are up-to-date and fully tested. Should you require something more specialist, please contact us and our expert team will aim to source the machine required for your project.