Various Types of Crawler-Mounted Cranes
Industrial wheel tractors in the 1920s, including those made by McCormick-Deering and Fordson were rapidly adapted in order to be able to power a huge variety of machinery. For example, half-swing cranes and shovels were made by several companies around the engine and power train of the tractor and the wheels became replaced by crawlers.
Crawler tractors came into widespread use in the 1930s. Immediately after, many manufacturers started manufacturing attachments for them, like a variety of lifting equipment devices.
Side-mounted booms for example, were utilized mainly for pipe-laying at first and the equipment got the nickname "pipelayer." These machinery are now usually utilized for attending to cleaning up railroad derailments. Because of their mobility, size and compact design, as well as outstanding lifting capacity, these equipments are ideal for this use. In addition, swing booms that mounted on top of the engine compartment became available also.
Crawler cranes are similar to the crawler tractor in that it travels along crawler tracks. These machinery could not move fast thanks to their intense weights. Typically, the crane is powered by one engine and may be controlled by 2 or more cable operated drums. The crawler cranes come outfitted with a lattice boom or a telescopic arm which is easy to extend by utilizing hydraulics. The lattice boom has to be assembled by hand by adding many sections.
Tower Cranes
Tower cranes are the ones found in large construction projects. These types of cranes are necessary to be built and broken down on location. They need to be transported by truck every time they are relocated. These tower cranes are very tall. They allow construction crews to move concrete building components or heavy steel to the tops of tall buildings. Tower cranes use a hydraulic system to push each new crane section up into place and therefore, are self-erecting.