Future Engineers Academy

Tower Crane, Everything you must know

A tower crane is a machine used for lifting loads by means of a hook suspended from a cable in a radius of several meters, at all levels and in all directions.
It consists essentially of a metal tower, a rotating horizontal arm, and yaw motors, distribution or lifting and moving load also providing a drive motor of the crane when it is arranged on rails.

Tower Crane, Everything you must know [Image Credits : Wikipedia]

The tower crane can be embedded in the ground, immobilized without wheels or movable on straight or curved paths. The assembly must be performed by qualified personnel.
Also maintenance and conservation is carried out in accordance with the norms issued by the manufacturer.

Choosing the type of crane

Parameters to consider

• Height under hook: 3m should be established over any obstacle that is within the swept area of the crane.
• Maximum range: the area should be considered to cover the movement of the pen and facilitates lifting.
• Maximum load: the maximum will be examined to raise pointed and the maximum raise in minimum range, in the area near the axis of rotation.

Types of Crane Tower:

Type 1: Fixed tower crane:

Its base has no translation means possessing them or are not used at the site. They are those in which the base is a foundation or any other fixed set.

Type 2: Movable crane Tower:

It is one whose base is provided with own means of translation on rails or other means and whose maximum height is such that no additional means of anchorage are stable both in service and out of service, to the stresses to which it will be subjected.

Type 3: Removable Crane Tower:

The temporary installation, designed for frequent assembly, disassembly, and transportation.

Type 4: Self-deployable tower crane:

Tower crane tower which consists of a single block and requires no additional structural elements for installation. It can be equipped with wheels for easy movement.

Associated Risks:

1. Fall of people.
2. Falling objects by crashes, handling or landslides.
3. Shock and contacts against stationary or moving objects on the machine.
4. Entrapment by or between objects, or by tipping machines.
5. Contacts thermal and / or electrical.
6. Explosions.
7. Fire.
8. Abuses, bumps and shocks with or against vehicles.
9. The risk of damage to health from exposure to physical agents: noise and vibration.
10. Other: lightning on the crane.

Risks prevention:

General Recommendations

1. Use lattice cranes marked with CE or adapted primarily to RD 1215/1997.
2. It is recommended that the lattice crane is equipped with a rotating warning light or flash type.
3. You must have an acoustic reverse signal.
4. When this machine to circulate the work, check that the driver is authorized, you have the training and specific information PRL setting the RD 1215/1997, of July 18, Article 5, and read the instruction manual. If it is a crane with wheels when traveling on public roads is mandatory queel C driver has a driving license.
5. If the crane has wheels, check that keeps up ITV Vehicle Inspection.
6. To use the mobile phone while driving must have a hands-free system. For vehicles with sensitive electronic systems, it is not allowed to use.
7. Before starting work, check that all devices of the crane lattice respond properly and are in perfect condition: cables, brakes, tires, etc.
8. The use of this equipment is restricted to authorized personnel.
9. The crane is to be installed in a ground compact with the use of stabilizers.
10. Adjust the seat and controls to the proper position of the driver.
11. Ensure maximum visibility of the crane lattice by cleaning mirrors, windshields and mirrors.
12. Check that the cabin is clean, free of oil, grease, or mud without uncontrolled in the area of controls objects.
13. The driver has to clean the shoes before using the stairs to the cabin.
14. Up and down the crane lattice steps intended by the manufacturer, facing the machine and holding it with both hands.
15. Check that all the signs of risk information are in good condition and located in visible places.
16. I check for a fire extinguisher in the lattice crane, reviewed regularly.
17. Check that the maximum height of the crane lattice is adequate to avoid interference with elements roads, electricity or similar lines.
18. Keep entrances, staircases and handles clean.

Specific recommendations

1. Control the machine only from the driver's seat.
2. Do not allow the presence of workers or others in the operating range of the machine.
3. Do not allow the transport of persons outside the activity or stay in the cab of the crane.
4. No, climb or descend on lattice crane moving.
5. While driving, always use a restraint system (car, seat belt or similar). Outside of work, wheeled cranes, use seatbelts mandatory.
6. When you restart an activity after rain occurs, it must be remembered that the ground conditions may have changed, and should verify the proper operation of the brakes.
7. In operations in areas close to electric cables, it has to check the tension of them to identify the minimum working distance.
8. Stop work if visibility falls below safe limits (rain, fog ...) until conditions improve. The machine must be parked in a safe place.
9. It is not allowed downhill with the engine off or idling motor.
10. Make the inputs or outputs of the solar site with caution and, if necessary, with the support of a signaller.
11. When operations involve complex or dangerous maneuvers, the driver has to have an expert to guide signaller.
12. Before starting the workday, you must check whether the conditions of the ground (humidity) have changed.
13. Maintain visual contact with work teams that are moving workers and jobs.
14. Respect the internal signaling of the work.
15. Prevent movement of the crane lattice in areas less than 2 m from the edge of the coronation of slopes.
16. Check for informational plaques installed in a visible place.
17. Check that the crane hook has keylock and slings are well placed.
18. Check the good condition of the security.
19. Respect the load limitations specified by the manufacturer.
20. You may not rise to the charge.
21. Do not leave the job with the crane with suspended loads.
22. Check the correct positioning of the stabilizing mechanisms before entering service crane.
23. Perform loading and unloading operations with the support of specialized operators.
24. If has to rely on land soft, it has to have boards for use as load spreader platforms.
25. It does not carry loads over personnel.
26. Keep the load always in sight possible.
27. It is not allowed to drag loads.
28. During the assembly and disassembly of the lattice boom, never access the top of it and use aids.
29. The removal of bolts, pins, etc. It has to be done by controlled extraction, trying not to hit violently.
30. During maintenance or repair, do not use loose clothing or jewelry, and use the appropriate protective equipment, the crane must be parked in a field flat, with the parking brake, the gear lever in neutral, with the engine stopped and the battery disconnected.
31. The waste generated as a result of failure or resolution must be segregated into containers.
32. Park the crane lattice in appropriate areas, ground flat and firm, without the risk of crashes, landslides or flooding (at least 2 m from the edges of coronation). We must put the brakes, remove the keys from the ignition, close the battery switch and close the cabin and the engine compartment.

For more information:
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