Difference Between Hydraulic Crane and Crawler Crane

Hydraulic Crane vs. Crawler Crane

Both hydraulic cranes and crawler cranes are used at construction sites and other areas that require hosting or lifting very large or very heavy objects. Both pieces of equipment have the crane feature to do the duty of lifting and moving the loads, cargoes, and any type of materials that requite moving to another location.

Both pieces of equipment feature the same parts – the mast, the slewing unit, the jib, the engine, the tracks (if the crane is the mobile type), the control area, and the operating cab. The cranes can accommodate a hook as an instrument to lift the load and large counterweight balls.

The hydraulic crane comes in the form of a truck and is classified as a truck-mounted crane, while the crawler crane is a type of crane in its own right and is enabled to move around the site from one place to another due to its caterpillar tracks.

Hydraulic cranes are powered by an internal hydraulic system in the form of the usual two sets of hydraulic pumps. The hydraulic pumps give it enough strength to lift a large amount of weight on a regular basis. A hydraulic crane can be manifested in different crane designs and types. The most common hydraulic crane design is the hydraulic truck crane. A hydraulic crane can have railroad wheels or caterpillar tracks as its method of locomotion.

On the other hand, a crawler crane is characterized by a different feature – the track and propulsion system. The track system is the base of the whole machine and provides the equipment with stability of mobility.

The crawler crane is the suitable equipment for small to medium sites. Other characteristics of crawler cranes are that they are heavy, large, and need to be assembled for setup and disassembled after use. This type of crane is also capable of traveling with a load.

A crawler crane is the choice of equipment for sites with uneven ground, all types of soil, and any weather conditions. The crawler crane is an “extra-strength crane version” and is perfect for any rough terrain sites. A hybrid of both types of crane is the hydraulic crawler crane; it combines the features of both cranes, allowing for the load and lifting more loads from a place to another venue.

Safety and precaution should always be practiced in the vicinity of these two types of equipment. These two cranes usually handle large amounts of weight, and the equipment itself is a considerable piece of weight. People who operate these machines know the safety procedures and proper use of the machines in order to get the work done without the least possibility of damage or injury.

Summary:

1.Both cranes have the fundamental parts of a crane. The most important feature of a hydraulic crane is its hydraulic system, which enables the crane to move, while the crawler crane features the track and propulsion system.
2.The hydraulic crane is usually in the form of a hydraulic truck crane, while the crawler crane is a type of crane in itself.
3.As part of the mobile cranes, the hydraulic truck crane can either have railroad wheels or caterpillar tracks for means of transport, while the crawler crane only has the caterpillar tracks.
4.Crawler cranes are considered to be heavier and larger than hydraulic cranes. They also need to be assembled for use and disassembled after use.
5.The crawler crane is very useful in rough areas or on uneven ground, while the hydraulic truck crane is better on even surfaces.
6.The crawler crane has more stability and mobility compared to the hydraulic truck crane.

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