Tower Cranes Grow to New Heights
In the 1950s in the tower crane industry, there were numerous important developments in the design of these big cranes. Numerous manufacturers were started producing bottom slewing cranes with a telescoping mast. These types of machinery dominated the construction industry for both apartment block and office construction. Many of the top tower crane manufacturers didn't use cantilever jib designs. In its place, they made the switch to luffing jibs and eventually, utilizing luffing jibs became the standard method.
Manufacturers based within Europe were also heavily important in the development and design of tower cranes. Construction areas on the continent were normally tight areas. Relying upon rail systems to transport several tower cranes, became too difficult and expensive. Some manufacturers were providing saddle jib cranes that had hook heights of 262 feet or 80 meters. These kinds of cranes were outfitted with self-climbing mechanisms which enabled parts of mast to be inserted into the crane so that it could grow along with the structures it was constructing upwards.
The long jibs on these particular cranes also covered a larger work area. All of these developments precipitated the practice of erecting and anchoring cranes inside a building's lift shaft. Then, this is the method which became the industry standard.
The main focus on tower crane development and design from the 1960s started on covering a higher load moment, covering a larger job radius, climbing mechanisms and technology, faster erection strategies, and new control systems. Furthermore, focus was spent on faster erection strategies with the most significant developments being made in the drive technology department, among other things.