Other KInds of Crawler-Mounted Cranes
In order to be able to power a large variety of equipment, industrial wheel tractors were adapted during the 1920s, by McCormick-Deering and Fordson. For example, half-swing shovels and cranes were made by several companies around the power train and engine of the tractor and the wheels became replaced by crawlers.
In the 1930s, crawler tractors came into widespread use. Immediately after, numerous manufacturers began manufacturing attachments for them, like for example various lifting machine devices.
Side-mounted booms for example, were used mainly for pipe-laying at first and the machine got the nickname "pipelayer." These machinery are often used nowadays for attending to cleaning up railroad derailments. Due to their mobility, size and compact design, along with exceptional lifting capacity, these machinery are great for this use. In addition, swing booms that mounted on top of the engine compartment became available too.
Crawler cranes are like the crawler tractor in that it travels along crawler tracks. These equipments could not move fast due to their intense weights. Normally, the crane may be controlled by 2 or more cable operated drums and is powered by one engine. The crawler cranes are available with a telescopic arm or a lattice boom which is easy to extend by utilizing hydraulics. The lattice boom has to be assembled manually by adding multiple sections.
Tower Cranes
Usually found in big construction projects, tower cranes are required to be erected and broken down on location. They have to be transported by truck every time they are relocated. These tower cranes are exceptionally tall. They allow construction crews to transport concrete building components or heavy steel to the tops of tall buildings. Tower cranes utilize a hydraulic system to be able to push each and every new crane section up into position and hence, are self-erecting.