Tower Cranes Grow to New Heights
In the 1950s in the tower crane business, there were many important developments in the design of these huge cranes. Numerous manufacturers were started producing bottom slewing cranes with a telescoping mast. These types of machinery dominated the construction market for both apartment block and office construction. Lots of of the leading tower crane manufacturers didn't use cantilever jib designs. As an alternative, they made the switch to luffing jibs and in time, using luffing jibs became the regular practice.
Manufacturers based in Europe were also heavily important in the design and development of tower cranes. Construction areas on the continent were often tight places. Relying on rail systems to move a large number of tower cranes, ended up being very costly and difficult. A number of manufacturers were providing saddle jib cranes which had hook heights of 80 meters or 262 feet. These types of cranes were outfitted with self-climbing mechanisms which enabled sections of mast to be inserted into the crane so that it can grow along with the structures it was building upwards.
The long jibs on these specific cranes additionally covered a larger work area. All of these developments precipitated the practice of erecting and anchoring cranes inside the lift shaft of a building. After that, this is the method which became the industry standard.
The main focus on tower crane design and development from the 1960s began on covering a higher load moment, covering a larger job radius, climbing mechanisms and technology, faster erection strategies, and new control systems. Additionally, focus was spent on faster erection strategies with the most significant developments being made in the drive technology department, amongst other things.