Tower Cranes Grow to New Heights
Throughout the 1950s in the tower crane industry, there were many significant developments in the design of these large cranes. Many different manufacturers were started producing bottom slewing cranes with a telescoping mast. These machinery dominated the construction market for office and apartment block construction. Lots of of the leading tower crane manufacturers didn't utilize cantilever jib designs. As an alternative, they made the switch to luffing jibs and eventually, the use of luffing jibs became the standard method.
In Europe, there were major improvements being made in the design and development of tower cranes. Often, construction locations were tight areas. Depending upon rail systems to transport a large number of tower cranes, ended up being too difficult and expensive. A number of manufacturers were providing saddle jib cranes that had hook heights of 80 meters or 262 feet. These types of cranes were equipped with self-climbing mechanisms that allowed parts of mast to be inserted into the crane so that it can grow along with the structures it was constructing upwards.
These particular cranes have long jibs and can cover a bigger work area. All of these developments precipitated the practice of erecting and anchoring cranes in the lift shaft of a building. Then, this is the method that became the industry standard.
From the 1960s, the main focus on tower crane development and design started to cover a higher load moment, covering a larger job radius, faster erection strategies, climbing mechanisms and technology, and new control systems. In addition, focus was spent on faster erection strategies with the most significant developments being made in the drive technology department, amongst other things.