What Is a Mobile Crane and How Is It Used?

Mobile cranes are one of the most versatile and useful tools in various industries. Mobile cranes are incredibly helpful for lifting, moving, and placing heavy objects with precision and accuracy. From construction to manufacturing, mobile cranes perform various tasks and offer multiple applications. In this blog post, we will be exploring what a mobile crane is, its various uses, the different types of mobile cranes available and the advantages each type offers. Whether you’re in need of a mobile crane for your business or just curious about what they can do, this article will help you understand mobile cranes more!

What is a mobile crane?

A mainstay at large-scale construction sites, mobile cranes are heavy equipment typically mounted on trucks or other large vehicles for maximum mobility and accessibility. Typically used to lift heavy loads and materials, mobile cranes are responsible for a sizeable bulk of construction activities.

However, because building plans require different construction functions, mobile cranes are now made available in various sizes and configurations to suit the needs of different building plans better. This has made way for the production of different types of mobile cranes, including truck cranes and railroad cranes.

Because of the versatility and convenience that mobile cranes offer, they’re usually regarded as essential pieces of construction equipment for many industrial applications.

How does a mobile crane work?

But aside from the different functions that mobile cranes have, there’s another question that you may be asking – and that’s, “How exactly do mobile cranes work?” Mobile cranes are built with hooks, hoists, booms, and counterweights. These are some of the most crucial parts of every crane since they allow them to function. The hooks serve as the primary connection between the load and the crane, holding and supporting the materials that need to be installed.

Next, the hoists are the inner mechanisms that allow cranes to lift the construction load until it reaches the height required. This height is then dictated by the boom – the vertical pole that spans upward from the driver’s cabin. Lastly, mobile cranes are outfitted with heavy counterweights to help support their lifting capacity. These are also some of the primary contributors to how heavy mobile cranes are. However, in the case of heavier materials that need to be lifted, mobile cranes may also be affixed to the ground through multiple outriggers or extended beams distributed around the mobile crane.

What are the different types of mobile cranes?

Mobile cranes come in various shapes and sizes to suit different needs and applications. The most common type of mobile crane is the truck-mounted crane, which consists of a boom that is mounted on a truck chassis. There are also trailer-mounted cranes, which are similar to truck-mounted cranes but are towed behind a truck or another vehicle. Other types of mobile cranes include:

• Crawler cranes: These cranes have crawlers (or tracks) instead of wheels, which gives them better stability and helps them navigate rough terrain. They are often used in construction and mining applications requiring heavy lifting.
• All-terrain cranes: As the name suggests, these cranes can be used on all types of terrain, including gravel, sand, snow, and mud. They are often used in rescue operations as they can reach places that other vehicles cannot access.
• Rough-terrain cranes: These cranes are designed for use on rough or uneven terrain. They have large tires that provide good traction and allow them to travel over obstacles such as rocks and tree stumps.
• Floating Cranes: Used in marine applications, floating cranes are heavy-lifting equipment affixed on top of a floating vehicle or platform. These types of mobile cranes are used to load and unload cargo from ships, boats, and other water vehicles.

How to choose mobile cranes?

If you’re not quite sure which type would best suit your construction needs, it’s best to start your decision-making by familiarizing yourself with these different functions. If you’re planning on operating in areas that are prone to muddy terrains, it’s best to choose crawler cranes. If you’re planning on a more ocean-based operation, floating cranes would be the best option. Your choice will highly depend on your needs. For a better understanding, a good step to take is to contact reliable heavy equipment rental companies in the Philippines to seek professional advice.

What Benefits do Mobile Cranes Offer?

For construction companies, mobile cranes are important investments since they can speed up projects and plans and increase the safety of their construction personnel. If you’re contemplating whether it’s worthwhile to get a mobile crane, here are some of the benefits it can offer:

Reduced risk of injury and property damage.

Mobile cranes can be used to lift objects from difficult-to-reach places, reducing the need for workers to climb ladders or scaffolding and thus reducing the risk of falls. Furthermore, mobile cranes  allows workers to move heavy objects with less effort. By utilizing mobile cranes on construction sites, companies can ensure that their employees remain safe while completing their tasks efficiently.

Better movement and maneuvering.

They provide a safe and efficient way to move heavy objects, allowing workers to complete tasks quickly and with minimal risk. Mobile cranes can also be used to lift materials up or down, making it easier to access hard-to-reach areas. By utilizing mobile cranes, companies can improve their movement and construction maneuvering capabilities while ensuring the safety of their employees.

No need for reassembly for relocation.

Mobile cranes are designed to be easily transported from one location to another, requiring little to no need for reassembly. This can help construction companies to shorten project times by cutting assembly requirements for cranes and lifts.

What are the uses and applications of mobile cranes?

Mobile cranes are typically used in construction, industrial and other sites that require lifting heavy loads and accessing difficult-to-reach areas. Because of their versatility, however, mobile cranes are only partially limited to being used in construction. To help you understand better, here are some of the most common and not-so-common applications of mobile cranes today:

• Roofing Installation – Roofs come in all shapes, sizes, and materials. In some cases, sturdy roofing materials will need extra lifting support to help construction workers lift materials overhead without bending or warping the shape. Mobile cranes are ideal equipment for carefully bringing roofs to the correct height.
• Power Transmission Repairs – In some countries, electrical wires are still built over-ground. In repair cases, power transmission personnel will need to be lifted by mechanical building hoists. For more stable tool transfer, mobile cranes may also be used to hoist up repair materials and tools to repair personnel.
• HVAC Installation – Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units come in heavy packages – some of which cannot be handled with human labor alone. To speed up HVAC installation, some companies use mobile cranes to lift materials into a building or house instead of manually lifting the tools up the stairs or service elevators.
• Disaster Relief – In natural calamities or manmade disasters, mobile cranes can be used for disaster relief efforts, such as removing debris from a collapsed building or lifting supplies into a stranded area.

Some reminders for safer mobile crane operations

If you are new to operating a mobile crane or you want to better equip your personnel with the necessary mobile crane operating skills, there are some essential safety tips that you should keep in mind. These include:

1. Always ensure that the area around the crane is clear of people and other obstacles. As with operating other heavy types of machinery, driving and using a mobile crane requires certain precautions to ensure the safety of the operator and people near the operating area. Make sure the path you’ll be moving in is clear of people and other vehicles or construction equipment. Failing to check this may cause accidental property damage or even death.

2. When moving the crane, be sure to go slowly and avoid sudden starts or stops. Mobile cranes are not designed to be driven or operated fast. Ensure that the operator is appropriately briefed regarding the speed limits. In addition, warn against sharp turns and stops since mobile cranes can accidentally topple over – especially if the load is heavier than usual.

3. Inspect the crane before each use to ensure that it is in good working condition. Mobile cranes require regular maintenance and mechanical tune-ups to ensure all parts are still functional. Before and after operating, it’s best that you check each part of the crane to check for probable damage.

Mobile cranes: the answer to safer and faster heavy construction lifting

Mobile cranes are a handy tool for lifting and moving heavy loads. They can transport materials up high or move them from one place to another easily. Mobile cranes are also very versatile, allowing users to customize them according to their needs and specifications. It is easy to see why they have become such a popular choice regarding industrial applications and construction projects. The great news is that if you want to benefit from this construction equipment, you won’t need to purchase them outright since many construction rental companies in the Philippines offer mobile crane rentals at reasonable prices, including Hastings Motor. Contact us today, and we’ll be more than happy to assist you with your construction needs.