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To the untrained eye, one crane may look just like another. They're tall, made of metal, and often brightly coloured. But there are actually many different types of crane with various different benefits and uses. Primarily used in construction, these different types of crane can facilitate a wide range of projects; getting your choice of crane right as a construction project manager is vital, as it could prove a deciding factor in the overall process. We've put together this guide to take you through these different crane types, explaning their advantages and suggesting which situations they might be most useful in.
If you were to ask a child to draw a crane, the tower crane would be the end result. Tower cranes are the most well known type of crane, and easily the most visible. These lanky pieces of machinery decorate our skylines across the UK and much of the globe, so it's no surprise that it's where most people's minds go initially. With a counterbalance to the rear of the jib, these types of crane are most commonly used in the construction of buildings and skyscrapers. Some can stand higher than 250ft and boast a lifting capacity of up to 20 tonnes, making them perfect for the big jobs. During construction porjects, these cranes are typically fixed to the ground with a concrete base and huge bolts to keep them from moving – given the scale of operations these cranes are typically involved in, that's just as well.
Putting a crane onto wheels seems like a simple and straightforward idea, but this move has allowed construction companies to tackle the most difficult terrains. For years, cranes had been permanent fixtures on building sites, lying rigid and structured on a construction site. But once the mobile crane was developed, new scope was given to architects and planners to allow them to build and expand into areas which would otherwise be difficult to reach. Moving cranes around without a vehicle would be impossible, and with mobile (also referred to as vehicle-mounted) cranes it's possible to move construction projects around the country far more quickly. As cranes often required to move, and are never permanently in the same place, it makes complete sense that adding further flexibility and manoeuvrability would be a huge advantage. NMT Crane Hire have an abundance of mobile cranes in their arsenal, ranging from small 70 tonne cranes to our largest crane, the 700 all terrain crane.
Shipping and trading constitutes one of the largest industries in the world. To accommodate the sheer size of the sector, a crane of a similar stature is needed. Often referred to as container cranes, these machines operate on a rail system – a device that allows the cranes to move along tracks to seek the appropriate container. Unsurprisingly, these behemoths can easily lift two 20-foot containers at once, making the task of processing thousands of containers a day a little less arduous.
A crawler crane, while still a heavy-duty machine, offers great versatility for anyone needing to lift and move heavy materials. It features a set of tracks, or crawlers, instead of wheels, providing stability and mobility on uneven terrain. This type of crane is preferred for projects requiring significant lifting capacity or when access to the site is limited. Its main advantages lie in its ability to manoeuvre on rough ground, distribute weight evenly, and lift heavy loads to considerable heights. Crawler cranes excel in projects like bridge construction, building skyscrapers, or handling materials in areas with restricted access.
Whatever the nature of your project, we're confident here at NMT that we've got a solution for you. Get in touch with us today for a no-obligation initial chat, and we'll work with you to establish which of our products you'd benefit from the most. Call us on 0800 026 6985 or fill out one of our online contact forms. We look forward to hearing from you.
Tower Cranes
Mobile and Vehicle-Mounted Cranes
Harbour Crane
Crawler Cranes
Month: May 2022
When we think of a crane, we picture a loud, urban landscape with a lanky, yellow structure manoeuvring large objects high into the sky. For the most part, this is the environment cranes are resigned to. Yet, sometimes, these pieces of machinery disregard stereotypes to leave us picking our jaws up off the floor.
Outside of the construction sites, cranes have created some spectacular, death-defying moments from base jumping to conducting scientific research on the moon. So, besides from constructing a building, what can you do with a crane?
Hold A Protest
In total Jackass fashion, stuntman Steve-O revolutionised the traditional ‘peaceful sit-in’ by clambering up a 100ft crane in protest of SeaWorld. Recording the whole ordeal on Facebook, Steve-O and his small, inflatable Orca grabbed headlines all around the world with one of his most dangerous stunts yet. A subsequent night in jail seemed worth it for the cause, however, as the hashtag ‘#SeaWorldSucks’ trended worldwide, forcing the Orlando aquarium to halt their Orca breeding programme.
Steve-O and the Jackass crew have performed hundreds of meaningless stunts over the last 15 years, but this may just have been their most significant.
Test The Limits Of The Body
David Blaine has pushed his body right to the very edge on multiple occasions to wow his audiences, yet one of his oldest stunts is still his most famous. Back in 2003, the American magician and illusionist imprisoned himself in a plexiglass box for 44 days, with only 4.5 litres of water a day to keep him company. Suspended by a crane on the doorstep of Tower Bridge, Blaine pushed the limits of the human body right to the very edge, drawing huge crowds for each of the 44 days.
As Crane uses go, this is one of the most extraordinary.
Explore Space
For as long as science as a concept has existed, mankind has strived to push the boundaries of exploration and research. This desire for knowledge eventually lead scientists to the moon back in the 60’s and ever since then, a number of tests and research projects were carried out to further our understanding of our neighbouring planets.
The invention of the lunar crane has long been a major tool when studying the moon, collecting rocks and gathering materials for scientific research. In terms of the most meaningful crane uses, researching the solar system has provided scientists with a greater understanding of our galaxy.
Make A Hit YouTube Video
The internet is littered with videos that make you laugh, cry and cringe. But when two Russian free climbers ascended the crane atop of the Shanghai Tower, it created a video which will make any viewers’ palms’ instantly sweaty. With no harnesses in sight, these two daredevils stroll along the 650ft high crane without a care in the world. The resulting footage has become one of the most watched videos on the platform, racking up an impressive 62 million views.
While cranes have their uses, none of the others are as perilous than this. But hey, anything for a like, ey?
Fuel Your Inner Adrenaline Junkie
What is the one thing you need for base jumping? Height! (And a parachute, you’ll need one of those too). Cranes offer the perfect platform for anyone looking to base and bungee jump, and NMT have recently provided a 700-tonne crane for the annual World Base Jumping competition.
If you fancy yourself as a stuntman/daredevil/lunatic, then base jumping off a 90ft crane offers the perfect platform to get your kick.
Build The World’s Tallest Building
Ever since the crane was invented, humans have had a desire to build taller and taller and taller. The end result is the 2,700ft monument that looms over the Emirati desert. The building is so tall that crane operators live in their cranes for a whole working week, as the time it takes to descend the tower would leave them with only a few hours before they make the climb again.
The desire to build bigger is one of the purest crane uses there are, and who knows? Perhaps in a few years, architects will construct a building even taller than the Burj Khalifa.
Film A Blockbuster Movie
Cranes may not be synonymous with movie sets, but they have been used to capture some of the most iconic shots in film and TV history. Construction work and industrious work may be the most common of crane uses, but these huge pieces of machinery also offer a certain degree of subtlety and creativity when needed.
If you are in the process of filming the next Oscar-nominated flick, or if you need a crane for any one of these projects, contact NMT Crane Hire today to speak to one of our operators.
How Much Can A Mobile Crane Lift?
How much Can a Mobile Crane Lift?
On any construction site, mobile cranes are brought in to do all the dirty work. They are synonymous with lifting objects of any shape and size way into the sky, but their strength mustn’t be underestimated either. But just how heavy can they lift?
Some cranes can lift over a 1000 tonnes without breaking a sweat, but mobile cranes provide a more dynamic service than the big, robotic brutes that deadlift up and down all day. Although mobile cranes and tower cranes are far more versatile and maneuverable, they also have to roll up their sleeves and help shift some weight.
Before we start detailing specific load charts, let’s add in some context for comparison. In the construction of buildings, the typical tower crane can lift an unsupported weight of around 20 tonnes, depending on the conditions, while still being able to move the object around with relative ease.
Don’t be fooled by the fact that tower cranes are used in the construction of buildings, however. In most cases, mobile cranes are restricted in the height which they can lift, but the weight often puts tower cranes to shame.
Across the NMT Crane Hire site, there are a number of mobile cranes used for a variety of jobs.
The nimble city mobile cranes are quick and comparably featherweight in comparison to other mobile cranes, but you will still be able to lift weights of 13-70 tonnes with these machines. When dotting about to different locations and lifting respectable amounts of weight, city mobile cranes do just the trick.
In a complete contrast to the city cranes, when working on treacherous ground, all terrain mobile cranes prove to be a sturdy alternative. With a lifting capacity of up to 160 tonnes, all terrain mobile cranes also double the load chart of a mobile crane, while still being firmly locked into position.
So far, we have looked at mobile cranes which can be used for the quick and easy tasks, and mobile cranes which can cope on almost any surface, but for those jobs which require immense lifting power, it is time to call in the big guns. Our heavy crane selection can lift anything from 200 to 700 tonnes, while still being fully mobile. Although this weight cannot be lifted to the height of a tower crane, sometimes height has to be substituted for unrivalled lifting power.
Depending on the type of work which is being carried out on your site, lifting power isn’t the only criteria to consider. Follow the links to the individual pages for every type of crane listed above to find out more about their specifications.
To speak to one of our advisors, contact us on 0800 026 6985 or use our online form to request a callback.
As NMT Crane Hire Ltd celebrates its 40th anniversary, let’s head back to our roots and uncover the story behind these historical pieces of machinery.
The resemblance is uncanny; A long, slender neck and a drooping snout, cranes may share their name with a graceful bird, but their work is far from it. Tasked with lifting tonnes of blocks, boulders and metal every single day, cranes have helped design and assemble some of the most iconic buildings of all time.
Despite their capabilities, cranes have relatively humble beginnings.
Ancient Greece
Although the history of NMT Crane Hire only dates back 40 years, the story behind the crane dates all the way back to Ancient Greece. The earliest documented reference to the crane is associated to Aristotle who details the basic mechanics of the new instrument. Invented by the Greeks in the 6th century, the use of a winch and pulley system replaced the use of ramps, which allowed the Greeks to build higher and to build quicker. The CV of the crane got off to an impressive start, having helped construct the Acropolis in Athens; the centrepiece of an incredibly historic city.
Roman Empire
As the Roman Empire seizes control of Europe, the Romans adopt and adapt the crane to become more industrious and more efficient. This is where we see the introduction of the treadwheel crane. This human powered version of the crane would be used to sculpt castles and cathedrals all over Europe and became the go-to technology for decades before being developed.
The gothic cities of Western Europe also owe thanks to the crane, as countries copy the highly efficient model of the treadwheel crane and begin decorating their skylines with cathedrals and other monuments. France, Holland and Germany still hold immense pride in their gothic towns and cities to this day.
The Industrial Revolution
As a mechanical progressiveness sweeps across Europe, Britain displays its first significant use of the crane during the industrial revolution. This is when we see the end to wooden, man-powered cranes and the birth of hydraulic, iron cranes which are used to construct factories and accelerate Britain into a position of international strength.
As the years roll on, the technology of cranes develops gradually with the smallest of adjustments. The cranes we see today still hold a resemblance to those used in the construction of New York in the thirties. Eventually, as the decades past, we are left with the enormous structures that parade our horizons; yet, despite their size and stature, they act as a subtle reminder to the power of science and technology.
They are the architect of every skyscraper, apartment block, shopping centre, and almost every other building. They are synonymous with developing skylines as they soar hundreds of meters into the sky. But have you ever wondered how such a slender piece of machinery stays upright? Even when manoeuvring large chunks of metal and piles of bricks? This article explains the science behind a tower crane and how they allow us to build bigger.
We all know that tower cranes are used on construction sites to help sculpt new buildings, but what exactly do they do? Cranes combine sheer height with lifting ability to quickly transfer heavy materials up multiple stories. Without them, this task becomes very arduous and painstakingly slow, so cranes ultimately speed up the construction process while simultaneously making a whole lot easier. So that’s what they do in a nutshell, but how do you build the thing that builds?
How A Tower Crane Is Built
The most obvious concern with a 100-foot crane is the balance. Being such a lanky piece of machinery, there needs to be a way for a crane to stay upright while it handles tonnes of material. So how is this achieved? Well, the process isn’t dissimilar to building a skyscraper for the most part.
Before a tower crane is assembled, foundations are dug for the crane, with the bottom part attached to steel rods that lie in the foundations. Once the concrete has set, the crane can start being put together section by section. A mobile crane holds the sections of the tower crane into place as it secured with a hydraulic wrench. The heaviest part of the crane is the turntable, the area in which the cabin rests on, and once that is fixed into place, the articulated arm, known as the jib, can be wrenched on.
For the tower crane to function, ropes are added to the jib alongside a trolley system, and is wired up to the control pad in the cabin. This briefly explains the structural aspect of the crane, but the topic of balance is still very poignant at this point.
A counterweight is added to the opposite end of the articulated jib to counteract the weight that the crane will be lifting. Many cranes have a counterweight which s adjustable depending on how much weight is being lifted, but for the most part, the weight is secured just shy of the end of the jib. The crane can also be fixed to the side of buildings via braces to keep it upright, but this is only if the building that is being worked on is already standing at a considerable height.
The technology of the tower cranes control system will stop the crane from lifting anything that will unbalance it, but the final stages of making a crane operational are testing stages. This is where the tower crane lifts varying weights, building up to its maximum capacity. If all these tests are passed then the crane can join in with the construction process.
How Much Does A Tower Crane Cost?
Prices vary from company to company, so the only real gauge of price is between the various types of crane.
A flat-top crane is usually the cheapest, as the jib acts in one direction only, whereas a crane with an articulating jib, ones which are quicker and have a greater range of motion, can be more expensive. A luffing jib crane sees the jib rotate higher than any other tower cranes, and these lean towards the far end of the price range.
If you are unsure of the type of tower crane needed for your construction project, you can contact NMT Crane Hire and talk to one of our advisors to discuss your needs and requirements.
CPA Crane Hire vs CPA Contract Lift: Which Is Right for Me?
NMT Crane Hire have recently talked about just what is included in CPA Crane Hire vs what’s included in CPA Contract Lift. Both options are commonly chosen, having their own benefits depending on what you’re looking for. Therefore, deciding which one is right for you can be a little tricky, but is vitally important. Although we have covered what each one means in our previous posts, a brief overview is:
CPA Crane Hire
– If you choose CPA Crane Hire, you will be provided with both a crane and a crane operator
– With CPA Crane Hire, you will not receive a Crane Supervisor, Slinger/Signaller, or an Appointed Person
– You are responsible for ensuring the crane is suitable, that the work is carried out to LOLER 1998 and BS 7121 standards, and for checking the credentials of the crane hire company and crane
– You are responsible for planning and executing the lift
CPA Contract Lift
– With a CPA Contract Lift, you are essentially hiring not just a crane but a company to organise the entire lift
– All you are responsible for providing is the necessary information for the lift to be planned, such as the items that need to be lifted, the site conditions, the ground conditions, etc. This information must be accurate
Which Should I Choose?
CPA Contract Lift is commonly chosen by people that do not have an existing infrastructure in place for a whole lift to be carried out. It is more expensive than CPA Crane Hire, but will not incur the same costs that hiring your own team for one lift would do, which is the extra you would have to pay for CPA Crane Hire.
CPA Crane Hire is the cheaper option, and is ideal for people who do have a full infrastructure in place for carrying out a lift, but simply need some extra cranes to be able to complete the job.
If you have experience and staff who are knowledgeable about everything required to carry out a lift, and you are simply in need of extra crane/s, CPA Crane Hire is right for you. If, however, you do not have this in place in your company and do not have the working knowledge to properly carry out a full lift, CPA Contract Lift is the best option.
To discuss your lift and the requirements that you need, don’t hesitate to give NMT Crane Hire a call on 0800 026 6985. We provide both CPA Crane Hire and CPA Contract Lift options, so you can choose the correct hire for your needs.
What Does CPA Contract Lift Mean?
At NMT Crane Hire, we recently covered just what CPA Crane Hire is, detailing what you can expect your crane hire company to provide for you and what it is your responsibility to organise for your site. In this article, we’ll discuss what you can expect from CPA Contract Lift hire, which differs greatly on what aspects are your responsibility, and what is the responsibility of your crane hire company.
What Does CPA Contract Lift Mean?
In essence, a CPA Contract Lift means that the majority of the elements related to a lift, including insurance, are covered by the crane hire company. You just need to provide the necessary details for the lift.
‘CPA’ stands for Construction Plant Hire Association and all crane hire companies must adhere to the guidelines. That means that when you organise a CPA Contract Lift hire, you can be confident that all of the correct guidelines are being met, as outlined below.
What is Provided with CPA Contract Lift?
When you organise a CPA Contract Lift, you are guaranteed that your crane hire company will cover the following elements:
– Plan the lift and operate the lift in accordance with a safe system of work
– Provide an Appointed Person who is both qualified and competent, with extensive knowledge of the lifting operation
– In addition to the Appointed Person, the crane hire company will provide a qualified Slinger/Signaller, a qualified Crane Supervisor, and a qualified Crane Operator. Each of these persons must be not just qualified but also fully competent and knowledgeable
– Supply a crane that is fully certified, and is regularly tested and maintained, and is of the necessary type and capacity for the lift
– Provide Method Statements
– Provide Risk Assessments
– Ensure that the work is carried out in accordance with BS 7121 (code of practice for safe use of cranes) and LOLER 1998 (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998)
Your crane hire company will also provide insurance cover for the project, which includes insurance for the loss of or damage to the plant or other property damaged by the plant. The insurance will also include a maximum liability of £20,000 for the goods being lifted and £2,000,000 for loss or damage to property or persons.
What You Must Provide for a CPA Contract Lift
With a CPA Contract Lift, it is your responsibility to provide your crane hire company with all of the relevant information in regards to the items to be lifted; this information must be entirely accurate. You must also inform them of the site and ground conditions so that your crane hire company can plan the lift accordingly.
If you have a lift that your require crane hire for and are unsure of which options is best for you, whether it be CPA Crane Hire or CPA Contract Lift, you can speak to the team at NMT Crane Hire and we’ll be able to provide you with detailed guidance. Please fill out an online enquiry form or give us a call today on 0800 026 6985.
There are two main hire options for any business in need of crane hire services for a project. You can either undertake a CPA Crane Hire or, instead, a CPA Contract Lift. There are advantages to both options, so the choice between the two should be carefully considered. NMT Crane Hire are always on hand to guide you through your options. Here we have given an overview of just what CPA Crane Hire entails.
What Does CPA Mean?
CPA stands for ‘Construction Plant Hire Association’; this is the terms and conditions that all crane and plant hire companies must adhere to and is in accordance with “The Safe Use of Cranes”, known as BS 7121.
What Is Provided with CPA Crane Hire?
When you hire a crane through CPA Crane Hire the hire company are responsible for the following elements:
– Providing you with a crane that is fully maintained and in a good working condition
– The crane provided must be tested and certified, which should be verifiable by the crane company
– They must also supply for you a crane operator; the crane operator must be fully certified and competent at the task at hand
What Is Not Provided with CPA Crane Hire?
Although CPA Crane Hire supplies you with the above aspects, you must provide the following:
– You will need to organise having the following people on site:
- an Appointed Person who is fully qualified in all aspects of the lifting operation, alongside having the relevant experience and knowledge to complete the job.
- a qualified Crane Supervisor
- a qualified Slinger/Signaller.
– The work must be carried out in accordance with both LOLER 1998 and BS 7121.
– It is your responsibility to make sure that the crane is suitable for the job.
– You must plan and execute the lift in operation with a safe system of work.
– You are responsible for checking the credentials and certifications of both the crane hire company and the crane.
You must also provide all of the Method Statements and Risk Assessments, along with organising insurance cover for all areas of the operation, including loss of or damage to the plant when on site, loss or damage to the lifted goods, covering hire charges should the plant be ‘off the road’ for repairs, and insurance covering Public Liability, operator injury and any other third parties, and also insurance for property damage due to the operation.
CPA Crane Hire gives far more responsibility to the hirer, but is often the preferable budgetary option, especially if the hirer already has many of the above requirements in place. If you’re interested in undertaking a CPA Crane Hire from NMT Crane Hire, take a read of our Terms and Conditions and give us a call today on read the NMT Crane Hire CPA Hire Terms and Conditions and call us today on 0800 026 6985.
NMT supplies 700 ton crane for World Base Jumping event
NMT recently supplied a Terex 700 ton crane complete with 55m main boom and 96m of luffing jib for the World Base Jumping championships on Blackpools seafront.rnThe event entered its second year and previously had used our Terex 250 ton crane, but the organisers wanted more!! rnrnrnrn/Users/tim/Desktop/AirgameZ 2016 v4 (1).mp4
NMT uses 700 ton crane to install new footbridge section at New Cambridge North Railway Station
Video GalleryNMT supplied their 700 ton Terex to install a 26 metre footbridge over the railway at Cambridge North new railway station.rnPlease go to our VIDEO GALLERY to see more.