Crawler cranes are common construction machines. They mainly consist of travel, hoisting, traction and slewing mechanisms. Knowing crawler crane parts and functions greatly aids their procurement, maintenance and replacement.
Crawler Crane Parts and Functions
A conventional crawler crane generally consists of the following structural components
1 The Undercarriage System
The crane undercarriage mainly bears the machine’s full weight, enables movement and keeps the unit stable.
Track Chains
Track chains serve as a core component for power transmission and load bearing in a crawler crane’s travel mechanism. It works in tandem with track shoes, lower rollers, idlers and upper rollers. It has three key functions: bearing loads, transmitting force and guiding movement, keeping the equipment running steadily on complex job sites.
Crane Track Shoes
Track shoes are important parts of the track. Together with bolts, pins and nuts, they form the complete track assembly. These parts enlarge the crane’s ground contact area and reduce ground pressure. They also connect with idlers, lower rollers, upper rollers and drive wheels to create a closed travel system,which is the foundation of the entire travel mechanism.
Crane Track Rollers
The track roller mainly bears the full weight of the machine. It spreads loads evenly across track shoes to ensure steady operation of the crawler crane. These rollers move along the inner track, keeping the track aligned and avoiding derailment. Combined with the track, they absorb ground impacts and reduce body vibration on rough terrain.
Crane Top Rollers
The main function of the carrier roller is to support the upper crawler, so as to avoid sagging of the crawler and causing wear. Meanwhile, the track shoe maintains proper tension to restrict the upper track’s movement and avoid shaking and deviation. Reduce the running resistance of crawler and ensure the smooth running of traveling system.
Drive Sprockets
As the power core of the walking system, the driving wheel converts the power of the walking motor into traction by engaging the crawler chain to drive the whole equipment forward, backward and steer. Precisely control the running speed of the crawler and realize stable start and stop with the working condition of the whole machine
Crane Idlers
The idler mainly guides and tensions the track, maintains proper track tightness and stops slack, shaking and derailment. It keeps the track aligned and prevents side drift while the crane travels and steers. During movement, it eases road impacts, shares part of the load and works with the wheel assembly for smooth operation.
2 Upper Structure
Slewing platform
The slewing platform is the mounting base for all the upper parts. Boom, slewing mechanism, counterweight and control system are all installed on the slewing platform. The slewing platform is supported by slewing bearings. It rotates to adjust lifting positions for various works.
Counterweight
The counterweight is a customized iron block installed at the tail of the slewing platform. It balances overturning moment from boom and loads. It offsets weight imbalance on the hoisting side, keeps the entire crawler crane stable while lifting and slewing, and prevents rollover. You can remove and ship the counterweight separately when needed.
3 Boom System
Main Boom
As the primary load-bearing structure of a crawler crane, the main boom forms the backbone of the entire boom system. It carries the major lifting loads and defines the crane’s rated lifting capacity, maximum working height and operating radius. All auxiliary jibs mount and operate off this main boom.
Fixed Jib
The fixed jib mounts atop the main boom and features a non-adjustable angle. It primarily boosts working height and reach to extend lifting coverage. Boasting a simple structure and high stability, it suits fixed-point hoisting at height and over long distances.
Luffing Jib
The same as the fixed jib is also installed at the head of the main jib, and the elevation angle can be adjusted independently. In addition to heightening and widening the operating range, it can flexibly adjust the operating radius and hook position, and adapt to complex sites and multi-directional lifting requirements. Slightly adjust the lifting point when the main boom is not moving, and the operation flexibility is much higher than the fixed jib.
4 Hoisting System
Winches
The winch runs on hydraulic power and drives the hook for lifting operations. Heavy loads are lifted and lowered as the steel rope winds and unwinds. Its brake mechanism secures the load to prevent accidental drops, while operators can also regulate travel speed.
Wire Ropes
The steel wire rope mainly transmits tension, connects the winch and the hook block, and cooperates with the pulley block to change the stress direction and lift the lifting capacity. It has the characteristics of high strength and good toughness. It is applicable to the working condition of repeated bending during the hoisting process. During the use, it is required to regularly check the broken wire and abrasion to eliminate the potential safety hazards.
Hook Block
The hook block is used to directly load and bear heavy objects. Internal pulley can be combined with the steel wire rope to form a pulley block to further improve the lifting capacity.
5 Hydraulic System
Hydraulic system converts the engine power to provide power support for the whole machine. At the same time, it accurately controls the lifting appliance and boom luffing, ensuring stable, safe and reliable operation.
Common Wear Crawler Crane Parts
In crawler cranes, the traveling mechanism parts of the undercarriage are usually the most vulnerable to wear. Due to the need to carry the weight of the complete machine and long-term friction with the ground or other accessories, the wear is serious.
Track shoes, bottom rollers, carrier rollers, guide wheels and drive wheels are vulnerable crawler crane parts.
Choosing high-quality aftermarket crawler crane undercarriage parts can significantly reduce maintenance costs and extend service life.
How to Extend the Service Life of Crawler Crane Parts
Inspect crawler crane parts for wear on a regular basis, and replace any parts that suffer severe wear or cracks. Maintain proper track tension. An overly tight or loose track will accelerate wear on crawler crane undercarriage parts.
Choose high-quality, durable crawler crane parts. They effectively cut down the frequency of part replacements.
Conclusion
TP Track supplies aftermarket crawler crane undercarriage parts including track chains, sprockets, idlers, track rollers and carrier rollers for major crane brands worldwide.
Whatsapp: +8618562630938
Email: info@toptrackcrane.com