Benefits Of A City Crane

If you’re working on a construction project in an inner city, or on difficult ground, you might find it hard to bring in a regular heavy-lifting crane. Lack of space and restrictions on access mean this bulky cranes are off limits.

When this happens, a city crane can give you all the lifting power you need, without the problems.

In this blog we look at the benefits of city cranes and why they might be the ideal answer to your city centre construction project.

 

What is a city crane?

A city crane gets its name from the environment it was designed to work in – the city.

These compact, heavy-lifting cranes can typically lift between 13 and 70 tonnes and have a variety of uses due to their lift height.

Unlike mobile cranes that have a lorry front and operator cab, a city crane only has an operator cab. This allows the crane to operate in more compact areas.

Its telescopic boom and adjustable turning circle make it the perfect fit for use in-between buildings or where space is limited.

 

What is a city crane used for?

A city crane has a multitude of uses across projects and construction sites, both indoors and outside. Projects that could use city cranes include;

 

– City construction

City centre construction projects can be a nightmare due to the lack of space and potential hazards of constructing buildings around other high rises, traffic and pedestrians.

A small city crane is perfect for this environment.

It can lift in more condensed areas that other cranes struggle to access.

For example, there’s often little space for vans/lorries to transport heavy materials. So, a city crane is beneficial as it can lift loads from a fixed position across the site.

Although you would use a tower crane for towering multistorey construction, the city crane is perfect for smaller jobs or moving heavy loads when access and space are constricted.

These jobs include single-story buildings, smaller structures like tall exhibition tents and installing statues in city centres.

–  Indoor lifting

Unlike a large tower or self-erecting crane, a city crane’s height can be adjusted using the operator cab. This is a fantastic feature as it means it can fit into buildings such as hangers and warehouses to assist with heavy loading duties.

– Non-city construction

City cranes are very versatile. They can operate across other sites on a range of terrains, such as more rural sites or indoor projects.

This crane has multiple uses on-site. It can be used for emptying heavy waste containers, loading materials onto vehicles, and lifting and moving bulk loads and machinery across site.

– Recycling facilities

City cranes are frequently used in recycling plants as much heavy lifting is required. As they’re small and compact, they can easily move around tight, confined spaces between trucks and skips.

Think about it, it’s more efficient to lift scrap metal and other heavy objects using a crane than any other vehicle.

It’s also less time-consuming to lift from a static position, rather than manually loading trucks from ground level.

 

Reasons to use a city crane

As well as being highly versatile and a great option for multiple types of construction projects, there are several other benefits that could make a city crane perfect for what you need.

– It requires minimal set-up time

Unlike fixed cranes that need to be built and installed on-site, city cranes arrive on-site ready to go.

The significantly shorter set-up time is beneficial to those wanting to complete projects on a tight deadline with little hassle.

– A city crane is small and compact

City cranes require little space to manoeuvre due to their compactness.

This is ideal for smaller, condensed sites in the city as space is restricted compared to larger sites. It can fit between buildings where other cranes can’t, allowing the operator to perform a more accurate, safe, lift.

– It offers high manoeuvrability 

As city cranes are moveable, they can start loading from any position on site.

This is perfect for those working on a tighter budget or in a condensed area as there is no need for multiple cranes.

This helps to prevent injury and damage on-site as fewer loading vehicles are needed around the building sites.

Additionally, the adjusting turning circle offers greater accuracy and lifting control than taller cranes that need plenty of space to rotate.

– It’s available in different sizes and lifting capacities 

Whatever the job, wherever the location, there’s a city crane for every project.

Typically, city cranes can handle loads between 13 and 70 tonnes (although you should check the capability with your provider when ordering the crane).

We also have even more condensed city cranes perfect for recycling plants that lift fewer tonnes.

– City cranes are highly versatile

City cranes can operate on many different terrains.

Concrete surfaces in city sites are no problem for this type of crane. But neither are muddy soil bases at remote construction projects in the countryside.

Their strong-grip tires are capable of manoeuvring around most terrains, but if you’d like further information on whether a city crane is the right choice for your project, you can contact us online to speak with an expert.

 

The verdict on city cranes

A city crane offers multiple benefits that make it a versatile asset for many construction projects or heavy-lifting jobs.

They’re capable of operating across different terrains in small tight spaces that many fixed cranes can’t.

Even if it isn’t used to directly construct high, multistorey apartments like a tower crane, a city crane’s lifting capability make it a valuable asset to have on site.

BJW Cranes has been supplying city cranes and other heavy lifting services in Scunthorpe and throughout the Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Humberside, Northeast and East Midlands regions for over twenty years.

If you need to find the right crane for your project, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us on 01724 289 501