What Is a Floating Crane?

What Is a Floating Crane?

If you’ve ever walked along a major river, or seen a bridge-building project, it’s almost certain that you’ll have seen a floating crane.

There are many different types of cranes, used for all kinds of construction projects. But what are floating cranes? Read on to find out more about this fascinating piece of machinery.

Origins of the Floating Crane

We know that the ancient Greeks used simple cranes to lift and move heavy objects. Crane vessels were used in ports in medieval Europe, too. These devices allowed cargo ships to be unloaded by dockworkers, thus enabling the expansion of global trade.

These days, floating cranes are very sophisticated pieces of machinery. Operators are highly trained to use the machinery safely and these cranes provide enormous lifting capacity.

What Are Floating Cranes Used For?

A floating crane is essentially a vessel that has a crane mounted on it. There are various different types, but all provide lifting capacity on or near the water.

One of the main uses for floating cranes is in offshore construction, for example in the drilling industry. These huge vessels are able to move very large and heavy items and remain stable in most weather conditions.

Floating cranes are also used to retrieve sunken ships. If sea conditions are rough, this kind of project can be very difficult and dangerous. The vessel and its crane need to be stable and the crew needs to be experienced to carry out such a complex operation.

Floating Cranes Guide

There are several different crane types and it’s helpful to know the difference if you’re considering buying a crane.

Semi-submersible floating cranes offer greater stability in rough waters, meaning that the crew and equipment are more protected. The crane operates by filling up tanks full of seawater to give it more weight and stability. This also enables the crane to lift heavy items without having to lift them so high into the air.

A knuckle boom crane is easier to maintain, as it has fewer joints. These types of cranes can be used for loading and unloading, but not for suspending loads for a long period of time.

Telescopic boom cranes can place loads very precisely, as they have a wire rope and a permanent winch. This means that these machines can lift very heavy loads for long periods of time, due to the strength of the winch and the holding valves.

Stiff boom cranes are the best option for lifting fragile loads and suspending them for any period of time. This is because they have a hydraulic winch that helps to lift the load smoothly.

Floating Crane Tips

Now you know exactly what a floating crane is and what it is used for. If you would like to learn more about different types of cranes and their purpose, be sure to check out more informative articles on the blog.

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