What is a Mobile Lattice Boom Crane?

This type of crane sits on a vehicle base, although in place of the typical wheels you will see caterpillar crawler tracks. The tracks enable easier movement across rough terrain whilst spreading the load across the wide tracks, thus offering great stability. The boom of the crane has an open steel lattice framework with interconnecting sections which are incredibly strong and can usually be extended to vast heights. They are also vastly lighter than a solid steel boom. Another bonus is that they have full 360 degree rotation, so together with the boom movements – up, down, back and forth the lattice boom crane has full mobility and easily adaptable to suit your lifting application.

Where are Crawler Cranes Typically used?

These caterpillar track mobile cranes are commonly used when vast heights of lift are needed as well as full mobility. Commonly seen on construction sites, especially when tall buildings are involved. They are also commonly used to erect and maintain wind turbines. Civil engineering sectors also make good use of this type of crane, think bridge construction, and power station builds.

Types of Rope for Crawler Cranes

There are typically two hoists on these cranes which operate independently. The main hoist rope for lifting the heavier loads and the auxiliary (AUX) hoist rope for lighter loads, positioning and/or frequent lifts. The Aux rope can be used in conjunction with the main hoist rope or independently.

The hoist ropes should be of a rotation resistant construction to prevent uncontrollable spinning. Compacted ropes provide good crush resistance, thus ideal for multi-layer spooling on the hoist drum.

The ropes we offer below can be used for main and Aux ropes, potentially with differing diameters.

The boom rope (often called the luffing rope) controls the boom. The rope enables the operator to raise and lower the boom to suit the operation. When the boom angle is changed the load radius and forces also change, thus loading charts must always be consulted to ensure both direct tension and dynamic force calculations are met.

We offer PIR (plastic impregnated rope) and parallel closed rope for use on a mobile lattice boom crane rope.

Mobile Lattice Boom Crane Ropes Available

Main Hoist & Auxiliary Ropes

 Compacted ( C ) & Rotation Resistant (RR) with Warrington Core (W)

The Warrington type core reduces internal void space to provide optimum flexibility with high abrasion and fatigue resistance.

Mobile Lattice Crane Boom Ropes

8 Strand Plastic impregnated (PIR) Compacted ( C) Boom Ropes for guided systems only. Featuring 8 outer layers and an independent core with plasticised filler in-between.

9 strand High Performance PIR rope with Warrington Core and Compacted construction.

Ideal for heavy duty applications and all available in two breaking strengths - 1960 MPa or 2160MPa.

Parallel Closed Rope with very high breaking strength.

2160MPa (mega-pascals).   Must only be used when anchored at both ends under tension.

Other Cranes and their Wire Rope Options

Because cranes come in different designs they often use wire ropes in a number of ways which will require different wire rope constructions. Hoist ropes, trolley ropes and boom ropes often need a different rope construction, the choice can be daunting! Lifting Gear Direct have broken down crane ropes into easy to understand and find sections with full technical specifications for each rope available in a PDF format in each crane rope section. Should you need any help, please get in touch, we are always ready to help whenever possible.