Guest Perspective

Technology Talk

Crane Type Innovation

Cranes have used mechanical advantage to hoist heavy loads since the Roman Empire and Middle Ages. They were used in the construction of castles and cathedrals and can be described as treadwheel cranes powered by people walking in the large treadwheel.

WWII led to the introduction of hydraulic technology in cranes with a material-handling crawler nicknamed the Anteater. In 1946, the Hydrocrane was released, the first hydraulic crane that resembles the RT crane we see today. It had a telescopic boom that it carried with it and all its functions were fully hydraulic.

Since that time, demand for cranes able to lift larger and larger payloads has been a constant. In response, cranes of all types have gotten larger and larger, but other innovations have allowed for sizable capacity enhancements through an increase in the ability of the crane to resist the moment imposed on the crane when lifting. Examples of this include ringer cranes, super lift attachments and y-guying. Newer developments in this space prioritize balancing track loadings during lifting through the incorporation of radius adjusting counterweight mechanisms. These cranes minimize the peak track pressures and can help result in lower ground bearing pressures.

Crane Technology Devices

Technology and innovation in cranes come from both manufacturers as well as third parties. This technology has allowed for easier, safer and more efficient operation.

Controller area setworks( CAN bus) are utilized at the core of crane control systems to allow for the reliable exchange of commands and information interconnected across the crane. The CAN bus takes input from the joysticks or lever and then sends the command over a data network until it reaches the controllers. The controllers receive information from sensors around the crane, which allows decisions to be made and sent out. The devices across this network are continuing to get more intelligent and autonomous as technology advances.

Pressure transducers or sensors are integrated into today’ s cranes and provide information to the operator and crane on items such as emergency stop sensors, load cells, crane level, outrigger loads and positions. This information is critical to providing the operator with the right information at the right time, as well as providing protections for safe operation.

Anti-collision technology has become increasingly popular, especially in tower and overhead cranes. It may use multiple sensors, laser technology or LiDAR. This technology is very impactful, especially on busy job sites with multiple crane booms within reach of one another. Technology in this space is rapidly evolving and goes well beyond tower and overhead cranes. We have seen similar technology deployed in personal vehicles for around a decade now, and we are now seeing it deployed on all types of construction equipment as we

This technology has allowed for easier, safer and more efficient operation.

By Todd Harding

The global rigging manager for Bechtel. He also serves and contributes to ASME B30 subcommittees, is a member of the SC & RA Crane & Rigging Group Governing Committee and is a member of NAMA’ s Board of Directors.

focus more and more on the minimization and elimination of the interface between mobile equipment and personnel on construction sites.

While not the highest tech solutions, cameras are now commonly deployed on cranes to view and monitor any number of items. The operator may have rear-view / tailswing cameras or camera coverage for their entire range of blind spots to aid safe operation. They may also have cameras positioned to monitor various functions of their cranes, such as winch cameras. Hook cameras can provide operators with a unique perspective and may eliminate a true blind lift. Software developers have also been able to leverage information obtained from these cameras to learn and develop cycle times of various common lifting operations and ultimately help pinpoint inefficiencies in the cycle from lift to lift.

Telematics data is now commonly available and captured by end users of cranes. Telematics data includes engine hours, fuel usage and much more. We are getting better as an industry at identifying key indicators from this data to allow us to identify systems not operating in a nominal state and opportunities for improvement in the efficiency of our operation. This can help us to identify leading indicators of potential upcoming problems or to understand important factors, such as idle time. We can also utilize telematics data to help identify and ultimately strategize to address and improve sustainability efforts, especially around emissions and fuel burn. Auxiliary power

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