8.2. Economical Situations for Use

As the name indicates, it is going to be crawler mounted and it has a lattice boom that is what it is called as lattice boom crawler crane. So, what are the advantages of the crawler mounting? You know that already when you go for a crawler or track mounting so, even in very poor underfoot conditions, you can have the mobility with this type of crane and moreover, when it is crawler mounted or track mounted, it has a broader contact area. So, greater tractive effort. Its lifting capacity is generally higher when compared to tire mounted cranes. So, particularly for heavy lifting capacity, you can go for longer tracks and wider tracks. So, that you can improve the stability and improve the lifting capacity and it can also vary the distance between the tracks. That option is also available in the modern cranes nowadays that is going to have an effect on the stability of your crane.

A lattice boom crawler crane combines a crawler base for mobility with a lattice boom, which is a framework of interconnected steel pipes. This design allows it to spread its weight over a larger area, making it stable and capable of lifting heavy loads, even on soft or uneven ground. By adjusting the distance between the tracks, the crane can enhance its stability and lifting capability, which is particularly important in construction projects that require handling heavy materials. The broader contact area of the tracks provides better traction and reduces the risk of sinking into the ground.

Imagine driving a truck on mud. A regular truck with narrow wheels sinks quickly, while a truck with broader tires can navigate the mud more easily. Similarly, a lattice boom crawler crane, with its broad tracks, works well even in muddy or uneven terrains, allowing construction workers to lift materials safely.

So, other one is your lattice boom. You can see the steel pipes connected, they are pin connected. You have a lot of voids in between them. These are not solid boom. It is lighter in weight and this boom is you can see, suspended by the cable. So, it acts like a compression member that is to be noted. So, one advantage of lattice boom crawler crane is even poor underfoot condition, it can work. Since it is crawler mounted, it can give you very heavy lifting capacity because of lattice boom also, you get higher lifting capacity because of the reduction of the weight of the boom which permits you have additional lifting capacity.

The lattice boom design consists of interconnected pipes that create a network of support. This structure is lighter than traditional solid booms while still being strong enough to support heavy loads. The lightweight nature of the lattice boom allows the crane to lift more material because less energy is expended in lifting the boom itself. This design not only enhances the crane's lifting capability but also ensures effective operation on challenging ground conditions.

Think of a swing. A very robust swing might be hard to lift; however, a swing made of light materials, like thin ropes and a lightweight seat, is easy to lift high. In the case of the lattice boom, its lighter structure means it can ‘swing’ or lift heavier loads with ease, just like the lighter swing can be lifted with less effort.

But what is the demerit of this crane is mobilization. Mobilization is very tough with this crane. Mobilization, erection and dismantling, all this takes more time with lattice boom crawler crane. It cannot be taken on the public highways. So, you have to dismantle it and take it in trucks or trailers. You may need even 10 to 15 trucks depending upon the size of your crane to mobilize one crawler crane to the project site. So, mobilization cost will be high. Similarly, it will take more time to erect the crane and dismantle it after the job is done. You need the support of another say, truck mounted crane to help in the erection of this lattice boom crane or that lattice boom crawling mounted crane, you need the support of another crane.

One of the significant disadvantages of lattice boom crawler cranes is the complexity and cost associated with mobilization. Unlike cranes that can simply drive to a site on their own, lattice boom crawlers must be disassembled and transported by multiple trucks. This process is not only expensive but also time-consuming, often taking more than a week to set up and take down, requiring additional equipment and labor for installation.

Imagine organizing a big concert with a stage that needs to be built from many large pieces. Setting it up takes a lot of time and effort, requiring many trucks to bring all the parts to the venue. In a similar way, moving and setting up a lattice boom crawler crane is like bringing in all those parts to create a concert; it needs careful planning and a lot of resources to get it operational.

So, all these things are the demerits of this crane. So, your erection process and dismantling process may take even more than a week. So, that is why if you need this crane for a longer duration in the project site in that case, it is going to be economical for you. But, if you need the crane only for few hours or a couple of days, in that case, it is not going to be economical. So, that is why I told you every crane is economical only for a particular situation.

Due to the high costs associated with the mobilization and setup of a lattice boom crawler crane, they are most economical for projects that require extended use of the crane. If a construction project needs heavy lifting over a long term, the costs can be justified. However, for short, single-day uses, the investment may not be worth it.

Consider renting a high-end wedding venue for one day versus a week. The longer you stay, the more you can justify the costs because the benefits compound over time. Similarly, for a construction project needing heavy lifting over many days, using a lattice boom crawler crane becomes a smart financial decision.

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