Facts About Truck Mounted Crane Hydraulics

A crane attached to a truck! You can imagine how beneficial will be such heavy equipment for performing different lifting and material handling tasks. On the basis of crane position, this heavy machinery can be distinguished as a truck-mounted crane and truck loader crane. The truck-mounted cranes are more suitable for loading and unloading large equipment and heavy loads on the truck’s deck. Other favorable industries for truck-mounted cranes are construction, cargo handling, electric line maintenance, and more.

           The truck-mounted crane will have an upper section and a lower section. The lower section resembles a semi-truck and it includes a comfortable cab with operator control. The upper section includes the crane itself and an optional secondary operating booth. Truck-mounted cranes with varying truck sizes and crane heights are available and they can be chosen based on the required application.

         The truck-mounted cranes handle the loading and unloading of heavy loads. So, the primary factor that needs to be considered while designing such a crane is stability. It is required for the lower section to withstand the load and to make the loading and unloading operations safe.

         What are the benefits of using truck-mounted cranes? As mentioned, here a crane is attached to the truck and this will enhance site accessibility and better transportation of material. The operator will have the convenience to drive this vehicle through highways just like usual trucks. Minimized operation cost, reduced manpower requirement, and shortened prep time are other key benefits of using the truck-mounted crane. But, the most important advantage is less space requirement. The crane is a hydraulically-powered arm with multiple joints and this can be folded neatly when not in use.

          How does hydraulics work with truck-mounted cranes? This truck-mounted crane will merge the maneuverability and mobility of a heavy-duty truck with the excellent lifting power of a crane. When considered individually, both trucks and cranes utilize hydraulics for operation. A telescopic hydraulic cylinder is used in trucks and cranes for lifting purposes and these are controlled accurately from the cabin. When the instructions are passed by operators using joystick control from the cabin, the pressurized fluid will be pumped into the hydraulic cylinder and perform the required operation. The hydraulic system in this crane includes one or more two-gear pumps, telescopic hydraulic cylinders, valves, filters, and more. The reachability of the crane will vary depending on the selected telescopic cylinder and applied pressure.

          Truck-mounted cranes are mostly used for transporting heavy loads like specialized vehicles(such as boats, yachts, and motor cruisers), portable cabins, steel containers, heavy machinery, and more. To ensure safety, it is necessary to inspect the truck-mounted crane before every operation.

Parts of Truck-Mounted Crane

Boom & Jib:

            Boom and jib are important parts of the crane’s lifting mechanism. The boom contains one or more telescopic sections that extend to lift and position a load to the required height. The jib is a lattice structure that can be attached to the end of the boom. The jib will act as a secondary arm that provides extra reach for the crane by reducing the impact on the overall load.

Two-Gear Pump:

           A two-gear Pump is a key component of a truck-mounted crane that helps to pressurize the hydraulic system. This pump will be connected with hydraulic pipes, pistons, and hoses in the circuit. The engine will power this two-gear pump.

Outriggers:

           Outriggers are retractable beams that increase the crane’s stability in stationary, lifting positions. This component will distribute loads to the ground surface to make the heavy equipment stable.

Counterweights:

          The large, heavyweight used for stabilizing the crane while handling the load is called counterweight. This load will be placed on the back of the crane to balance the load.

Rotex Gear:

          The Rotex gear is a large gear located underneath the operator’s cab and operated with a joystick-type controller. This gear will allow the operator to rotate the boom to the left or right.