Employers

• The employers should make sure that the construction site is safe and appropriate for boom crane operations. This is very important, especially when multiple lifts need to be performed from a single location. The condition of the ground bellow the boom cranes should be properly inspected. This will ensure that the boom cranes will remain stable during the lifting operations.
• Since only skilful workers can operate boom cranes, the employers should hire only persons with enough skills and experience. Furthermore, they should prohibit workers bellow 18 from operating or assisting the boom crane operators.
• They should organize special training programs in order to ensure that the operators will know how to safely use the boom cranes on the construction site. Although simple lifting machines, the boom cranes are used for performing different lifting tasks.
• For maximum safety on the working site, the employers need to prepare safety programs that should be easy to understand by everyone whose work is directly and indirectly connected with the boom cranes.

Boom crane operators

• The boom crane operators need to be properly trained to perform the lifting tasks which are required by the employer.
• Operators need to follow and respect the manufacturer’s load chart. This means that they should never exceed the lifting capacity of the boom cranes.
• Each operator needs to know how to calculate the total weight of the load that needs to be lifted and moved form one place to another.
• For some tough lifting tasks, the operators of the boom cranes should seek an assistance from a spotter who will provide important information from the ground level.
• Just like the employers, the boom crane operators need to inspect the ground conditions before every lifting operation.
• Another major responsibility of the operators is to check for overhead power lines and other ground obstructions.
• The boom crane operators must avoid performing lifting actions over the workers on the working site.
• A well prepared safety plan needs to be followed for every critical lifting task.

Ground workers

• All ground workers need to be informed where the lifting operations are going to be carried out on the construction site.
• They should never work under suspended loads.
• The workers who are involved in the assembling process of the boom crane should follow the assembling and disassembling procedures in order to ensure that the boom crane will function safely and properly.

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In 1911, Bucyrus Company designed and developed the first gasoline powered crawler crane, called Type 14. This crane featured a 18.3-m long lattice boom, and its maximum lifting capacity was 47 tons. Type 14 was extensively used for a variety of construction projects. The crawler cranes manufactured after 1911 were designed with incredible lifting capacities and boom outreach, variety of engine options and were used for many lifting applications. Although highly efficient and powerful machines, the early crawler cranes were designed with poor ergonomics. Today, the crawler cranes are significantly improved and are described as easy-to-operate machines.

As most crane types, the crawler crane is composed of a house, a telescopic or lattice boom, side frames, wire ropes, a “carbody”, sheaves and a hoist. The main difference (and advantage) is that the crawler crane doesn’t require outriggers for safe operation, because it can remain stable thanks to its wide tracks. The crawler cranes are self-propelled units, meaning that they can move around a job site easily by using their own superior tracks. However, the main issue of the crawler crane is the transportation.

Since it is big and heavy machine, it is quite expensive and difficult to transport a crawler crane from one to another job site. Beside the transportation costs, the owning and operating costs are also huge, since the crawler crane requires an additional vehicle and a trailer for transportation. Furthermore, the crawler crane needs to be dismantled into smaller parts when needs to be transported, and then reassembled on the job site. Usually a second crane is required for the assembling process.

In general, the crawler crane is a highly efficient lifting machine which allows the operators to complete a variety of lifting tasks quickly and efficiently. Whether lattice or telescopic boom crawler crane, this machine is a worthy investment that can guarantee increased productivity and higher profits.

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If you want to increase your productivity and profits, the slew crane is the best solution for you. In the past, the slewing cranes were generally used in workshops, industrial facilities and warehouses for carrying out lighter lifting tasks. But these days, the new slew crane models are capable to complete heavy lifts efficiently like any other crane type. Compact and powerful, the slew crane will provide you many years of service.

A basic slew crane is consisted of a hoist, which can be either pneumatically or electrically powered, a vertical mast and a rotating boom. The rotation of the boom and hoist allows the unit to lift and lower loads effortlessly with the help of the wire ropes and chains. Wondering what are the benefits of the slew cranes? Let’s find out:

• Although the slewing cranes vary in size, most of them are compact and capable to complete lifting tasks in narrow and tight spaces. This is a great advantage for operators involved in working environments with size restrictions.

• The slew crane requires only a little space and can be easily installed on the job site. The wall-mounted slew cranes are installed on walls, while the floor-mounted cranes on solid concrete floors as permanent units. The wall-travelling slew cranes are installed on rails for easy movement. In addition, the slew crane is affordable lifting machine.

• Regardless of the operation, the slew cranes will optimise the internal material flow and will increase the productivity on any job site. The slew cranes are designed to perform complex lifting tasks that cannot be completed with other crane types.

• The slewing crane ensures a safe operation for all involved on the job site. Safety is very important since it may impact the productivity.

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These boom cranes were widely used in Europe, but what can be seen nowadays is that more and more Australian construction companies include knuckle boom cranes in their fleet of construction machines. Today, they are an essential part in the construction, mining, marine, transport and other industries in Australia. For lifting and moving heavy loads in tight spaces, the knuckle boom cranes are incomparable. Compact and easy to operate in tight spaces, the knuckle boom cranes are highly efficient for handling loads of up to 55 tonnes.

Depending on the application and environment, the knuckle boom cranes are used differently. For example, at a construction job site, a typical knuckle boom crane is mounted on a truck; for a marine use, it is mounted on a boat. Or in some cases, the knuckle boom cranes can be also mounted on a rail car or on a doc. Narrow and tight job sites are definitely the most suitable applications for these cranes.

Here are some advantages of the knuckle boom cranes:

• No travel limits. When mounted on a truck, the knuckle boom cranes can be used for all applications where the truck can access or move.

• Great capacity. Having in mind how many applications can be carried out with the knuckle boom cranes, these lightweight units are capable of handling more weight than any other boom crane.

• Install Configuration Options. Whether on a dock, boat, rail car or most commonly on a truck, the knuckle boom cranes offer a complete versatility to meet the needs of any contractor. Also, they can be mounted either in the front or at the back, for increased flexibility.

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Rough Terrain Cranes. The rough terrain crane was the first crane model produced by Grove in 1959. As you probably know, a rough terrain crane is consisted of a self-propelled boom mounted on a truck-frame, designed for operation on rough roads. The Grove rough terrain cranes are widely used for handling heavy materials on construction sites, chemical sites, building of bridges, etc. With powerful engine mounted in the undercarriage and industrial heavy-duty tires, the rough terrain cranes by Grove are capable to pass easily through the roughest terrains and to move extremely heavy loads.

All Terrain Cranes. The all terrain cranes from Grove are considered as luxurious mobile hydraulic cranes because they are multi-functional. The all terrain cranes are capable to travel on all types of terrains and to move through highways, roads, streets, etc. Powered by one or two engines with all-wheel drive features, the all terrain Grove cranes are capable to match your application requirements. The Grove all terrain cranes are very unique; they are designed to travel at reasonable speeds on highways beside having heavy-duty frames. Also, these cranes maintain the operator comfort on off-roads, thanks to their highly advanced suspension system.

Truck-Mounted Cranes. The truck-mounted crane combines the advantages of two vehicles: the travel ability of the trucks and the lifting ability of the cranes. The Grove truck-mounted cranes are some of the finest on the market. You can easily move a truck-mounted crane from one to another location, even when fully loaded. The truck-mounted Grove cranes are convenient and very flexible, and they are efficient for a variety of applications. For increased stability during operation, the Grove truck-mounted cranes are equipped with outriggers.

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Hydraulic Truck Cranes – Simple and compact, the hydraulic truck cranes are capable to perform incredible tasks. These cranes are designed with hydraulic system – a system that allows the cranes to lift and move unbelievable weights with ease. The hydraulic truck cranes are consisted of a boom, counterweights, two-gear pump, a jib, outriggers and a rotex gear. They are generally used for construction projects such as bridges, airports, etc.

All Terrain Truck Cranes – Multifunctional cranes designed to be driven on paved highways and off-road terrains. The the all terrain cranes are powered by one or two engines, feature hydraulically operated winches and a telescopic boom that can reach close to 60m and carry up to 130 tons, depending on the model.

Rough Terrain Truck Cranes – These cranes are mounted on a undercarriage with four rubber tires, designed for off-road applications. The rough terrain cranes offer high maneuverability and lifting capacity for pick-and-carry operations in large construction projects such as bridge-building.

Truck Mounted Cranes- Cranes mounted on a truck, capable to travel on highways. These cranes are designed with outriggers for extra stability on rough terrains. The lifting capacity of the truck mounted cranes ranges from 14 tons to 1300 tons.

Pick And Carry Truck Cranes – The pick and carry cranes can pick up heavy loads and move them in tight spaces. With these cranes, getting to the job site is easy and quickly, since they can travel on any surface. Furthermore, there is no need for outriggers, making them easy for set up.

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The jib crane is generally used for applications that involve handling heavy loads. A typical jib crane is used for indoor applications, but it can be also used for various outdoor applications. With compact size, the jib crane is ideal lifting machine for lifting tasks in narrow areas. Designed to lift with ease, the jib crane is widely used in warehouses, workshops, industrial facilities, production and manufacturing facilities, ports, assembly operations, individual work stations, loading docks, etc.

Loading lifting, carrying and unloading different kinds of materials, the jib crane can do everything what the big cranes can. If you are dealing with small and medium-weight loads, the jib crane is your ideal solution that can help your business in many ways:

• Allow you to deal with various handling applications;
• Increase your productivity;
• Increase the workplace safety;
• Quick return on investment;
• Minimize the operating costs for smaller applications;

Today, the jib crane manufacturers offer different jib crane models, designed with the latest technologies to ensure safety, comfort and optimal lifting performance. For example, the new jib crane models come with on\off switch and stop button to help you remain safe in dangerous and unexpected situations. Another innovative safety feature is the accurate horizontal jib alignment. This feature prevents unexpected movements of the horizontal jib when the jib crane is loaded. As long as you are safe and comfort, you will be highly productive.

The jib crane is a lifting machine that can be easily installed and operated. Unlike most crane models, the jib crane is very easy to install, whether on wall or on the floor. Furthermore, the jib crane will minimize the downtime and increase your productivity, thanks to its lightweight design and rotating low-resistance jib. In short, the jib crane is the best investment you can make for your business.

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Today, there are different mobile crane models on the market, such as truck-mounted, crawler, rough-terrain, etc. Every mobile crane is designed to perform special lifting functions. The most popular and widely used mobile crane models are the following ones:

Hydraulic Truck Crane. This type is consisted of a hydraulic system which ensures reliability and enough capacity for heavy lift tasks. These cranes are generally used for major projects such as bridges, buildings, airports, etc.

All Terrain Crane. A mobile crane that is capable to perform a variety of functions since it has been designed to work and move easily over paved highways. All-wheel drive, these cranes are powered by one or two engines, featuring hydraulic system which provides great performance.

Rough Terrain Crane. As the name suggests, the rough terrain crane is specially designed to work on difficult and demanding terrains. It can be used for pick-and-carry operations such as bridge building and also in big construction projects.

Crawler Crane. A type of tracked mobile crane which is available with either telescopic or lattice boom. This crane don’t need outriggers and it is capable to move easily in different job sites. However, the crawler crane is difficult for transportation because of the big size and weight.

Carry Deck Crane. This is the smallest type that travels on four wheels, designed with a rotating boom. The carry deck crane is capable to pick up and transport loads in confined spaces.

The mobile crane is considered as a complex machine that requires training and experience for safe operation. A proper knowledge can only be obtained through a proper training. The ability to maneuver a mobile crane properly is fundamental for a safe operation.

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