Industrial progress is increasingly sophisticated with a lot of technology that helps humans in doing various kinds of work. Like heavy equipment that is very helpful at all to do hard work too. Especially for construction needs, heavy equipment is always attached to every job.

Definition of cranes

Crane is one of the heavy equipment that has a large physique, which we often encounter for construction needs. Which heavy equipment is usually used to move a material from one place to another. To make it easier, of course.

In general, the crane works by lifting and then carrying the material to be moved and then diverting it horizontally. Which later the heavy equipment will unload the material according to the desired location, whether it’s in construction projects, mining and so on.

If you become a reliable crane operator, of course you have to understand how to work the parts or components that are both outside and inside the heavy equipment. Therefore, it’s a good idea for you to find out in advance about everything that is on the crane when you want to operate it.

Incidentally, in this article we will explain in full about the crane parts as a whole, starting from their meaning, function, and how they work. By knowing all of these things, it is hoped that you can personally become a reliable and professional crane operator.

To find out more about this heavy equipment, you should first understand at a glance what is a crane? And as explained above, cranes are heavy equipment for material handling with a large capacity from one place to another, both vertically and horizontally.

What we often know, this type of heavy equipment is used in several types of work such as mining projects, buildings, warehousing, industry and other jobs related to height. This is because this heavy equipment is capable of reaching tens of meters away in lifting and moving material.

The main function of the crane that you should know

What you need to know is that the main function of the crane is to lift material and then move it to another place according to your wishes and needs. Where the material that is lifted itself is not light material or material that you often see everyday.

These heavy equipment lift very heavy materials and are usually used for the needs of mining, building construction, industrial warehouses, ports, warehousing and so on. Cranes are also often referred to as pulleys because of the working principle of utilizing a hydraulic system.

Understand the basic components of cranes

What you need to know next is that which is no less important as a professional crane operator, then you also have to understand what are the complete parts of a crane. As an important point for you, the crane has twelve basic parts that you as a crane operator must know, where each part of the heavy equipment has its own function or use.

For more details, we will describe in detail the parts of the crane starting from their understanding, function to how they work below, watch and understand them carefully.

• Jib Crane

The first component is the jib or crane arm. Where this component is one of the parts that has the ability to rotate by 360 degrees with a function as a cable sling in lifting loads or material.

The jib itself usually consists of iron elements arranged into one part of the truss. Therefore, the installation of the jib must be in accordance with the needs and requirements, whether it’s the standard length or the maximum.

• Counter Weights

The next crane component is the counter weight. This one component is used for the balance of the working arm. The ends are usually added with a counter weight made of concrete with a load according to the crane’s needs. The greater the crane load, the greater the load on the counter weight.

• Hoists

In the previous discussion, it has been explained that the hoist is included in one of the crane heavy equipment components. The function of the hoist itself is to carry loads or materials vertically.

• Trolleys

While the trolley is the opposite of the hoist. Where this component has the function of carrying loads or material horizontally.

• Slings

Sling is a part of the crane which is a steel cable with a function as a hook between the crane and the load or material. The length of the sling itself can be adjusted to the needs of the heavy equipment.

• Operator’s Cab

The operator’s cab is the part that is used as a place to operate the crane. Inside there are various kinds of tools such as levers and heavy equipment control panels.

• Mast

The next component is the mast. The mast is useful for adjusting the height of the arm or working arm with the help of hydraulic power so that it moves the hoist in a vertical direction.

• Base Section

The base section is the most basic part of a crane heavy equipment. Of course, this section is at the very bottom and embedded. Generally these components are made of very heavy concrete because they are useful for holding the weight of material or heavy equipment.

• Slewing Units

As we mentioned before, a crane is a type of heavy equipment that can rotate 360 degrees. Where the rotation will certainly occur thanks to the slewing unit section. In essence, the slewing unit is used to rotate the working arm 360 degrees.

• Climbing Frame

Because the location of the operator’s cab is quite high, access to it is needed. Therefore, the existence of this climbing frame helps the operator when they want to enter the operator’s cab.

• Tower Top

Then next, there is a tower top. Where the tower top itself can be interpreted as the highest part or component and is at the top of the heavy equipment.

• Collar Frames

The last part of the crane is the collar frame. The collar frame has a function as a safeguard if a free standing limit has occurred, consisting of a safety belt that is attached or attached to a building, where each zoom is each section or connection.

Steps to become a reliable crane operator

Finally getting to the heart of how to become a crane operator that is professional and acceptable wherever you want to work with the heavy equipment. Besides you have to correctly understand the meaning, function and components of a crane, in order to become a crane operator you must also have important stages so that your goals are achieved as a reliable crane operator. Follow the steps that you absolutely follow below.

• Follow proper crane operator training

In each country, regulations and policies regarding how to become a reliable crane operator may have different methods. But as a basis for training wherever you are, it remains the same. In this case, prioritizing occupational health and safety is required in various professions, one of which is a crane operator who is familiar with the conditions of lifting and transporting goods and construction. It is this condition that obliges you to take part in the Crane Operator Training as the practice of world regulations capable of protecting the safety of the lives of workers.

In addition to the relatively high risks of being on the job site, being an operator in this field of work also requires the right techniques and tactics to be able to work safely and effectively.

• What is the aim of training to become a crane operator?

Carrying out a series of crane operator training indicates that you are ready to become a professional crane operator. Training to become a crane operator is very important for you to follow, apart from being able to provide the basics of what a crane is. You also have your own provisions from participating in training to become an operator of this heavy equipment.

Apart from the above objectives, there are several other objectives that you can obtain through this training, which include:

1. Able to control various kinds of threatening hazards.
2. Able to know and understand various procedures for safer crane use.
3. Able to take responsibility in controlling and operating cranes at work sites.
4. Able to acquire high knowledge, skills and discipline when operating cranes in the field.
5. Able to carry out responsibilities as an international standard Mobile Crane, Tower Crane and Overhead Crane operator.

• Have a crane operating license

Each crane operator must have a certificate obtained through training. Certified operators play an important role in preventing the possibility of work accidents in operating cranes, because operators know and understand safe operating procedures.

Therefore, prevention of work accidents can be done through various approaches, one approach that is often used is through education and training. Through education and training knowledge and skills, responsibility and discipline can be increased, understanding and understanding of occupational safety and health requirements.

In addition, in a team of crane operators, it is necessary for management to ensure consistent understanding and understanding of the crane operator’s occupational health and safety requirements. For this reason, the existence of certified crane operators in a company is needed, especially for inspection activities.

• Understand crane inspection checklist correctly

Which parts need inspection? Below are the inspection and testing sections that you as a professional crane operator will need to perform. Here as a basis that you must know to carry out inspections of these heavy equipment.

1.Crane Data Inspection consists of:

• Owner’s Quality System
• Operation & maintenance manual (Operating manual & maintenance)
• Crane and Operator Operation Permit
• Log Book and History report

2. Preliminary Examination (visual Inspection) consists of:

• Frame
• Spans
• Connections
• Safety devices and control equipment
• Lifting mechanism
• Propulsion (Electricity)
• Bolts & Nuts (strength of tying)

3. Testing the lifting hoist or sling

Wire Rope Tester tool is carried out before the load test and after the load test.

4. Non-Destructive Testing

namely by Magnetic Particle Test and Dye Penetrant Test on critical parts, including:

• Hooks, Blocks, Wedge Sockets, Pins
• Connections (in critical areas) and construction parts/components where during a visual inspection it is found that there may be defects or cracks

5. Function testing includes:

• Safety device
• Brakes and clutch
• Control equipment
• Mechanism for lifting and lowering loads
• Mechanism of Traveling & Traversing

And below is an example of a crane inspection checklist that you can take as an exercise or carry out a direct inspection of the heavy equipment.

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