Mysite Group

A tower crane is a fixed, vertical-lifting crane central to the construction of medium and high-rise buildings. Its defining configuration consists of a vertical mast (tower) that is either anchored to a concrete base or, in climbing cranes, supported within the building's structure. Attached to the top is a slewing unit that allows the crane to rotate 360 degrees, from which extends a long horizontal jib (or boom). The working end of the jib carries a trolley from which the hook and load are suspended; the counter-jib extends in the opposite direction and holds the counterweights and machinery. This balanced design provides exceptional lifting capacity and reach while maintaining stability. Tower cranes are assembled on-site using mobile cranes and then often "climb" vertically as the building rises using a hydraulic system to insert new mast sections.

The primary function of a tower crane is the vertical and horizontal movement of materials—such as steel beams, concrete panels, formwork, and machinery—with precision across the construction site. Key operational parameters include maximum load capacity (often highest when the load is close to the mast), maximum reach (jib length), and hook height. They are categorized mainly as hammerhead (flat-top) or luffing jib cranes, the latter having a jib that can be raised and lowered to work in tight urban sites. The crane operator, typically situated in a cab at the top of the mast, works in coordination with a signaler on the ground. Essential for modern urban construction, the tower crane's efficiency in lifting heavy loads to great heights makes it an indispensable piece of equipment, with its presence on the skyline symbolizing active building progress.