Cranes help us build our buildings, but how do we build the cranes? Cranes are a vital piece of equipment in the construction industry. They help us move materials and heavy loads so we can build beautiful monuments and landmarks—plus they make the job much easier for workers.
There are multiple construction crane types, each with their own uses and strengths.
If you’re interested in learning more about how these cranes are built, this article will go over:
- The history of cranes.
- How cranes are manufactured and assembled.
- Crane technological advancements.
- Picking the right crane for the job.
The Historical Evolution of Construction Cranes
Construction cranes didn’t always look like what they are now. They started as earlier technologies dating all the way back to the ancient Mesopotamians. These ancient tools eventually became the cranes we see today.
The Earliest Known Cranes
We have records as early as 1500 BC showing Mesopotamians using pulley systems to lift and transport materials. They used these as well as irrigation tools to lay the groundwork for modern cranes. However, the earliest known crane systems were either hand-powered or water-powered, making the building process slower overall.
The First Construction Crane
The Greeks developed the first form of the modern crane sometime during the 6th century BC. They used these cranes to transport materials, build monuments, and design buildings like cathedrals.
The Roman Cranes
When the Romans saw what the Greeks were doing with their cranes, they decided to build on the idea. They used more manpower and technology to improve the crane the Greeks made, creating the first treadwheel crane that was used until the 17th century.
The Hydraulic Crane
During the 15th century, Blaise Pascal created hydraulic technology that would be later used to improve the design of the crane. The very first hydraulic crane came on the scene in 1883 by designer William Armstrong.
The Modern Crane
As the Industrial Revolution spread across the nation, and more people started using iron and other stronger materials, the modern crane came to fruition. Combining hydraulic technology with industrialization created the modern crane design that we know and use today.
How Are Cranes Built?
Construction cranes are giant pieces of machinery that have a ton of moving parts to them—how they are made is an intricate process. No matter the height or style of the crane, each step of the process is handled with extreme care.
Building a crane is a complex process that involves several steps, including:
1. Collecting the Materials
Since construction cranes need to safely lift and transport immense weights, the material to build a crane needs to be sturdy and reliable. The most common material used to build a crane is a high-stress low-alloy (HSLA) steel. These steels are easy to weld together and have low carbon levels. This makes them immensely durable and able to withstand the strain of lifting heavy loads with ease. Steel is also resistant to rust and corrosion, making it a long-lasting crane material.
2. Manufacturing the Parts
Once the material is collected, it’s time to create the crane parts. Steel is created by melting lime, coke, and iron steel in a blast furnace until it becomes molten. From there, oxygen is flushed through to remove impurities in the steel such as carbon. The molten metal is then poured into molds to harden into ingots, and the ingots are shaped into various crane parts. This includes plates, bars, and rods.
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3. Assembling the Parts to Make a Crane
Now that the parts are made, it’s time to put them together. Cranes are assembled with immense care and with safety in mind at every step. Each crane is thoroughly inspected and tested throughout assembly to make sure everything is as it should be and the crane is safe to use.
The Manufacturing Complexity of Modern Cranes
Modern cranes are machines made up of a ton of complex parts that work together to complete a job. Each of these parts needs to be built and assembled properly in order for the crane to run safely. The complexity of the machines means that manufacturing and assembling them is also complex. Each piece needs proper inspection and testing to ensure the crane operates safely without breaking.
The variety in modern cranes also adds to the complexity of manufacturing them. Different cranes have different parts, and therefore they have different manufacturing requirements and regulations. Tower crane assembly will look different compared to mobile crane assembly, and these regulations need to be strictly followed to keep manufacturers and operators safe on the construction site.
Technological Advances in Crane Control Systems
Technology continues to adapt and evolve as time goes on, whether it be the phones in our pockets or the televisions in our homes. This also includes construction equipment like cranes. Cranes have complex control systems that need to be operated with skill and training.
As technology advances, so do crane control systems. These changes improve operating cranes, making them safer and more efficient to use during construction. Recent technological advancements in crane control systems include:
- The Sway Control System (SCS): This system helps mitigate the swing of a crane’s load. This makes the process smoother and the crane more stable as it moves across the construction site.
- The Intuitive Boom Operating System (IBO): This system gives crane operators more precision as they move the crane. This allows operators to better position loads and move around the site.
- Load Monitor Indicators: No matter the size of the crane, it has a weight limit for the loads it can safely carry. Load monitor indicators keep an eye on the load weight and alert the operator if the load is about to exceed the maximum carrying capacity.
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Start Enrollment ProcessCranes Make Tall Buildings Possible
Construction cranes are more than just an impressive-looking piece of equipment. Certain construction projects would only be possible with the help of cranes. Have you ever been to a city and seen skyscrapers that are over 10 stories tall? We wouldn’t be able to build these magnificent buildings without cranes to transport the materials where they need to be.
Cranes not only move materials from one side of a construction site to another, but they also lift materials up into the air. When building skyscrapers, construction cranes help workers by safely raising the necessary materials to the heights they need.
Selecting the Right Crane for the Job
It’s important to pick the right crane for the job at hand, not only for efficiency but also for the safety of the people on the construction site. If you need a crane with height and a high lifting capacity, a tower crane may be the best choice. On the other hand, a hydraulic truck crane is great for jobs that need the crane to be relocated multiple times throughout the day.
Each crane has its use, and choosing the right one keeps yourself and others safe on the construction site.
Start Your Career in the Construction Industry
Cranes have been around for centuries, and they are a vital tool in helping us build the monuments and skyscrapers we see all around us. Manufacturing and building a crane is a delicate process that requires attention to detail and extensive safety procedures. It’s not as easy as it looks, and it needs to be done right to keep construction workers and crane operators safe.
If you’ve made it this far, you clearly have a passion for construction and the construction industry. Heavy Equipment Colleges of America (HEC) can help you start your career in the world of construction. We offer heavy equipment programs and training to get you going on the construction site. Our programs include a tower crane certification program, a crane operator training school, and more.
Contact Heavy Equipment Colleges of America to learn more about our programs and get the admissions process started!
