Tower Cranes Grow to New Heights
During the 1950s in the tower crane industry, there were many important developments in the design of these large cranes. Many different manufacturers were started making bottom slewing cranes with a telescoping mast. These machinery dominated the construction industry for office and apartment block construction. Many of the top tower crane manufacturers didn't utilize cantilever jib designs. Instead, they made the switch to luffing jibs and eventually, the use of luffing jibs became the regular method.
Manufacturers based within Europe were also really influential in the development and design of tower cranes. Construction areas on the continent were usually tight areas. Depending upon rail systems to move a large number of tower cranes, ended up being very inconvenient and expensive. A number of manufacturers were offering saddle jib cranes that had hook heights of 80 meters or 262 feet. These cranes were equipped with self-climbing mechanisms which enabled sections of mast to be inserted into the crane so that it could grow along with the structures it was constructing upwards.
These particular cranes have long jibs and could cover a larger work area. All of these developments precipitated the practice of building and anchoring cranes in the lift shaft of a building. Then, this is the method which became the industry standard.
The main focus on tower crane development and design from the 1960s began on covering a higher load moment, covering a bigger job radius, faster erection strategies, climbing mechanisms and technology, 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.