A crane is a type of machine that is used to lift and move heavy loads, machines, materials, and goods for a variety of purposes. It is equipped with a hoist rope, wire ropes or chains, and sheaves, that can be used both to lift and lower materials and to move them horizontally). Cranes are used in all different sectors of industry, from construction to manufacturing to shipbuilding and material loading. They are common along skylines as they are necessary to build skyscrapers.
There are many different types of cranes, but some basic components can be found on most cranes. These include:
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Boom: The supporting structure that is attached to the cranes base and stretches to the machines highest height. Cranes can extend their reach by adding a jib at the end of a boom on a mobile or all-terrain crane.
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Jib: A type of boom that is used to extend the reach of a crane.
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Rotex Gear: A type of gear that allows the crane to rotate.
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Outriggers: Legs that extend from the base of the crane to provide stability.
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Counterweights: Heavy weights that are used to balance the load being lifted.
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Reinforced-steel cable: The cable that is used to lift and lower the load.
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Hook: The equipment used to connect loads to a crane, including a hook, bearings, sheaves, and pulleys, is housed in the hook block.
Cranes have been working alongside humans for over 2,500 years to build cities and neighborhoods. They are considered a compound machine in that they utilize a number of simple machine designs to reduce the overall work done by the mechanism.
