What are the main components of a crane?
2 Answers
The main components of a crane include: the lifting mechanism, the luffing mechanism, and the rotating mechanism. Through the coordinated operation of these mechanisms, heavy objects can be lifted and transported within a certain cylindrical space. Cranes are often installed on vehicles or other forms of transport (mobile) tools, thus forming a traveling jib-type rotating crane. Examples include truck cranes, tire cranes, tower cranes, portal cranes, floating cranes, and railway cranes. Cranes come in three forms: column type, wall-mounted type, and balance crane. Below is a detailed introduction: 1. Column jib crane: This is a jib crane composed of a column and a jib, where the jib can rotate around a fixed column mounted on the base, or the jib is rigidly connected to the rotating column, and they rotate together relative to the vertical centerline within the base support. It is suitable for occasions where the lifting capacity is not large, and the working range is circular or fan-shaped. It is generally used for workpiece clamping and handling in machine tools. Column jib cranes mostly use chain electric hoists as the lifting and traveling mechanisms, with wire rope electric hoists and hand chain hoists being less common. Rotation and horizontal movement operations are mostly manual, and electric operation is only used when the lifting capacity is large. 2. Wall-mounted crane: This is a jib crane fixed on a wall, or a jib crane that can run along an overhead track on a wall or other supporting structure. Wall-mounted cranes are most suitable for workshops or warehouses with large spans and high building heights, where lifting operations near the walls are frequent. Wall-mounted cranes are often used in conjunction with overhead beam or bridge cranes, serving a cuboid space near the walls to handle light and small objects, while large items are handled by the beam or bridge cranes. 3. Balance crane: Commonly known as a balance hoist, it uses the principle of a four-bar linkage mechanism to form a balanced system between the load and the counterweight. It can use various lifting tools to flexibly and easily lift loads in three-dimensional space.
Cranes may look complex, but they're actually just a few major components when broken down. The most prominent part is the portal-shaped steel frame main structure – those giant steel beams forming a gantry. The power core is all on the chassis, with the engine paired with hydraulic pumps serving as the power source. The control cabin is packed with buttons, and the steering wheel connects to hydraulic valves for precise boom control. The star of the show is the boom system – telescoping steel segments with top-mounted pulley blocks and steel cables. The hydraulic outriggers at the base are absolutely critical, steadily supporting dozens of tons during operation. The hook assembly features anti-release locks and rotation bearings, allowing the hook to work with 360-degree rotation.
