At some time or another, you have seen tower cranes towering over a construction site. These are referred to as tower cranes, much as the appearance implies. They can lift as much as 19 tons and can reach as high as 265 feet. Operating a tower crane requires a lot of skill because the safety of an entire neighborhood could lie in the hands of the tower crane operator. Tower cranes are used to lift generators, large pieces of steel, and large air conditioning units among other larger and heavier items needed to construct a large building.

How Is A Tower Crane Constructed?

Tower cranes are constructed on a large and heavy concrete pad. The crane’s base is secured onto the support pad with heavy-duty bolts. The concrete pad is necessary for stability and the construction process. The pad is poured weeks before the construction process begins. The pad could be as large as 30 feet by 30 feet, can be as much as 4 feet thick, and weigh as much as 400,000 pounds. The large tower that reaches into the sky is referred to as the mast. On top of the mast is the slewing unit, which is the mechanical component that allows the rotation of the crane. The jib is a long arm extending from the crane, and the machinery arm is a shorter arm.

It can take up to a dozen tractor-trailers to haul in all the components for the tower crane. Mobile cranes are used to assemble the jib, the slewing unit, and the counterweights. The crane is grown from the base up using a climber to lift the topmost part of the crane with the jib, slewing unit, and machinery arm to allow the mast’s latticework to slide in, which the tower crane does itself using the jib. The lattice is secured then the process is repeated with the climber.

Training For Tower Cranes

If you are interested in a career in operating tower cranes, call the team at ATS Training School today.

If you are from a non-English speaking background then you may feel that crane operator training is not for you. With a little patience, an open mind, and the willingness to learn, crane operator training and a career as a crane operator may be a perfect fit. Understanding English is important – don’t get me wrong. You do need to understand what is being asked of you when given a job to do. However, in most cases, once you have an understanding of what is involved with a particular task, the rest is easy.

Crane operators, whether they are operating a mobile crane or a massive tower crane, hardly speak a word whilst working. Instructions from those on the ground or around the actual lift are generally given through hand signals. These hand signals are the same in every language so whether you speak perfect English, or none at all, if you understand these signals there will not be a problem.

Where there may be a problem is in learning those hand signals. If you don’t have a clear understanding of the English language then you may struggle to get through your training. However, if you do have at least a basic understanding of the language then you should be able to get through the training.

The best option is to find a training organization that has the patience to work with students from non-English speaking backgrounds. ATS Crane Operator School is one such organization. No matter what your background, if you have a reasonable understanding of the English language then we can help you through your crane operator training and into a lucrative career. Contact us to see if your language skills are sufficient to successfully complete a crane operator training program.

Do you know the difference between a mobile crane, a tower crane and an overhead crane? Do you know what the training requirements are for each? Careers are often built on dreams yet the reality is often quite different to what we dream about. There are many little boys that grow up wanting to be the operator of a crane that sits on top of a skyscraper – it’s possible, if you know what the requirements are.

Mobile Crane:

Mobile cranes are the cranes you commonly see driving around. As the name suggests, they are quite mobile and generally registered and insured to drive on public highways. The skills required to operate a mobile crane will obviously include driver training. Apart from driving the mobile crane, you will also need training that fulfills the requirements of the NCCCO. In some states you will need certification to prove you have the skills and knowledge required to operate a mobile crane.

Tower crane:

Tower cranes are the cranes you commonly see on building construction sites. They come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. Operating the more complex self erecting cranes will come with experience. Training to become a tower crane operator is similar to that of a mobile crane operator. Emphasis, however, is placed on features relevant to the tower crane. You are still required to sit an assessment for certification through the NCCCO.

Overhead crane:

Overhead cranes are cranes that typically run on tracks overhead – hence the name. Operation could be from a specialized cab to remote controls. The training required to be an overhead crane operator is different again to that of a mobile or tower crane operator. Assessment and certification is also a requirement in many states.

There is a common thread that runs through each of these cranes and it starts with your crane operator training. You can start life as a mobile crane operator and over time gain experience and further training that allows you to branch out into either tower crane operations or overhead crane operations. If your dream is to become a crane operator then start your career with one of the best mobile crane operator training organizations in the country.