A crane is a machine used to lift and lower heavy objects for any layman. It is one of the most significant machines across various industries right including automobiles, construction, metal manufacturing, power plants, and shipbuilding apart from many others.
But have you ever wondered where and how the concept of cranes came into being?
In this blog, we take a look at some of the details of the history, advancement, and consequently the practical use of cranes.
What exactly is a crane?
It is a machine that is hoisted with a tight rope, which can be wire ropes, chains, or sheaves. They are used in shifting very heavy objects from lower objects, which cannot be performed without stances. They are also used for lowering objects, which cannot be performed with human help.
The biggest advantage of using a crane is that it offers flexibility and mobility where obstructions are present and access to spaces with limited access.
Today with industrialization, and urbanization being carried out on a rapid level, the use of cranes is only going to get bigger and better. However, it will be interesting to note that the inception of cranes has been since time immemorial. In fact, they have been a part of human history for many years.
Did You Know: Cranes have been a part of human life since time immemorial.
The first cranes used in Mesopotamia were called Shadoofs. They were commonly used as irrigation tools
By 2000 BCE these shadoofs found their way into the villages of Egypt, where these cranes were further modified. By the 6th century BC, several archeological records show that in Greece cranes came to be used by adding compound pulley systems. Eventually, the Romans improved the mechanism of cranes and by the time in the 1800s in year 1843, William Armstrong invented the first hydraulic crane.
From then on one can say there was a massive transformation in the development of cranes. The reason Armstrong’s cranes were a huge success and paved the way for further modifications. From then on the company grew and Armstrong continued to improve his designs.
Some of the commonly used cranes in ancient times were Shadoofs, hydraulic press cranes, cable, and winch cranes.
Modern Cranes:
It is interesting to note the fact, that today’s modern-day cranes are largely inspired by Armstrong’s designs and several innovations have been carried out. The need for cranes over the years has grown manifold. This is because they are also used in several other industries apart from construction.
We take a look at some of the types of modern day cranes:
- Mobile cranes:
They are mounted on crawlers that offer greater mobility and can also be driven on highways. They can navigate the job sites very easily and can carry large amounts of weight. Mobile cranes are also known for their versatility and flexibility. They come in a wide range of sizes and configurations, and can be customized to meet the specific needs of a particular application.
- Goliath Cranes:
They are fixed on portable columns and have railed at the ground levels. Mostly used for any kind of outdoor application they have a specially designed steel structure that provides a wide range of work areas. These cranes are a type of heavy-duty industrial crane that are used for a variety of applications, including construction, shipbuilding, and materials handling. They are named after the biblical giant Goliath, due to their enormous size and impressive lifting capacity.
- Bulk-handling Cranes:
It is well-known for carrying large to very large volumes of materials such as coal and other minerals. Bulk handling cranes have a specialized hook that can grab and lift heavy-duty materials.
- Tower Cranes:
One of the most commonly used cranes used in construction they have some of the most extraordinary lifting capabilities. They are an essential mechanism in almost all the construction sector.
- Jib Cranes:
They are typically bridge cranes installed over a workstation and used for several repetitive tasks.
Choosing the right crane:
As mentioned above, different cranes are used for different purposes. So one needs to have the right understanding of which crane to go for. Picking the right crane for your work involves research such as the project’s terrain, the total size of the project, the overall weight of the materials, and the timeline of the project.
At Santek, we are your expert guidance in helping you choose and provide high-quality cranes for your specified industry.