Parts Of a Crane

Parts Of a Crane

10 April, 2022

If you are working on a construction site (or anywhere near cranes), it is vital to understand the essential parts of a crane. Understanding the different components of a crane could help reduce accidents that may happen if the crane equipment is not handled well.

What are the most important parts of a crane?

Although all parts are considered essential, we are going to have a look at the most crucial elements and why exactly they are deemed essential.

Hooks

The crane’s ability to lift heavy loads would be impossible without the hook. It is the suspended part that holds the load for lifting or moving.

The hook must be strong, and it should be made of strong metal in order to manage to handle the weight of the load. A poorly made hook could snap and break during lifting, causing injuries to workers and damages to the items being lifted.

Hoist

The hoist is a combination of a winding drum and a wire that holds the hook. It is not significant in size, but it is considered vital as it facilitates getting items off the ground. 

Boom

This is the most recognizable part of a crane. The boom is the arm of the crane that moves goods from one point to the other.

Jib

A jib extends from the boom horizontally. It is used to create leverage beyond the boom’s reach. The extra space created by a jib between the crane’s body and the load allows bigger items to be lifted.

Counterweights and Outriggers

Counterweights are positioned at the back of a crane to provide balance. They ensure the crane does not topple over when lifting. At times counterweights are not enough to maintain stability, hence introducing outriggers to supplement or complement the counterweights. Counterweights and outriggers are detachable and should be removed before the truck is driven.

Types of Crane Booms

Different cranes have different booms depending on the purpose they are supposed to serve. 

Lattice Boom

This type of boom is made from steel and has lattice-like patterns, hence the name. The patterns give it more power to hold loads without having the boom weigh too much.

Hydraulic Boom

This type of boom is made like a telescope where it can be elongated and collapsed depending on the requirements. 

Other Parts of a Crane

Having discussed the standard parts, it is essential to know other crane materials that work in unison to ensure everything works well.

Wheels and Outriggers

Wheels are simply for mobility. Most cranes have huge wheels to handle the weight of the various crane components. Some cranes may also be equipped with outriggers to improve stability.

Tracks

Tracks are commonly found on crawler cranes to facilitate movement. Since the tracks are wide, crawler cranes do not require outrigging since the stability is already sufficient. The mobility of cranes with tracks is quite limited since they are slow and can only move on smooth grounds.

Luffer

Also known as a luffing jib, a luffer is hinged, and it can move up or down. A fixed jib consists of a roller joint that enables horizontal movements.

Carriages

· Lower carriage

The lower carriage is also known as the car body. This is the lower half of a crane, common among crawler cranes.

· Upper carriage

The upper carriage is also known as the upperworks. This type of equipment holds the engine, the driver’s cab, and the wire rope drum. It also anchors the boom.

Hoist Drum

Also known as the cable drum, the hoist drum sits right behind the upper carriage boom. It is driven by hydraulics and holds different wires’ lengths depending on the various crane types and their wire needs. 

The best hooks for your crane

At elebia, we always aim to offer intelligent lifting solutions.

The evo automatic crane hook has simplified all cargo lifting operations as it engages and release loads remotely with the use of magnets that attract the lifting point. Operators can now control the crane with minimum manual intervention, ensuring safety all while increasing productivity.

The NEO range of lifting hooks is ideal for oversized lifting points. It engages and releases goods remotely hence promoting safety. The Evo5 and Evo25 also has a fail-safe design that makes it impossible to drop a load accidentally. 

The unique features of the automatic hooks include the ability of the hook to rotate freely and be set in a fixed position. It is built of high strength structural steel allowing it to work in the toughest conditions. Its gearmotor is able to release up to 20kgs (40.09 lbs) ensuring there will be no problems with heavy rigging. The hooks can be upgraded with a weighing scale and prevents overloads through the use of its clutch protected electric motor.

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