A 260t overhead crane designed to be used to assemble tunnel boring machines

HomeParts and service → A 260t overhead crane designed to be used to assemble tunnel boring machines

A 260t overhead crane designed to be used to assemble tunnel boring machines

A bridge crane designed for assembling tunnel boring machines usually has strong lifting capacity and a high degree of operational flexibility to adapt to the needs of assembling large machinery. It may be equipped with advanced control systems and safety mechanisms to ensure precision and safety during assembly.

Recently, Dongqi Crane paid attention to an Australian news. An Australian industrial construction services group reactivated a 260-ton bridge crane for use in two parallel tunnel projects outside Brisbane. In order to ensure the normal use of the crane, they contacted the crane supplier to re-perform the load test and crane acceptance of the crane.

Dongqi Crane has some experience in the work content of bridge cranes in tunnel projects, such as the assembly of tunnel boring machines. After the tunnel is completed, it can also be used for disassembly of the tunnel boring machine. The more a professional crane supplier understands a project, the better it can design the most cost-effective crane system. For this 260-ton bridge crane in the project, Dongqi Crane can infer some design details based on its work content:

  • High lifting capacity: The 260-ton lifting capacity ensures that it can easily handle various large components of the tunnel boring machine.
  • Stability and safety: Overhead cranes usually have a solid structure and stable supports to ensure stability during lifting and moving. In addition, safety mechanisms such as overload protection and anti-collision systems will also be equipped to prevent accidents.
  • Operational flexibility: Cranes may have multiple operating modes to accommodate different assembly needs. The operator can precisely control the crane's movements through the control system to accurately place components into predetermined locations.
  • Adaptability: This type of crane may have the ability to adapt to different work environments, including indoor and outdoor environments, as well as tight spaces or irregular terrain that may be present.
  • Easy maintenance: Good maintenance and upkeep are key to ensuring long-term and stable operation of the crane. Such cranes may be designed to be easy to service and maintain to reduce downtime and increase productivity.
  • Please note that specific designs and features will vary based on manufacturer and usage requirements. When using this kind of crane, relevant safety regulations and operating procedures must be followed to ensure personnel safety and stable operation of equipment.
gantry crane at Melbourne’s Westgate Road Tunnel project

Introduction to the use of bridge cranes in tunnel projects

Overhead cranes play a vital role in tunnel projects. Its main uses include but are not limited to the following aspects:

  • Lifting and installing beam sections, box culverts, bridge decks, tunnel segments, etc.: Bridge cranes have strong lifting capacity and operational flexibility, and can accurately lift and install these large components to ensure the stability and safety of the tunnel structure.
  • Auxiliary construction operations: During tunnel construction, bridge cranes can assist workers in various operations, such as carrying construction materials, equipment or tools, thereby reducing workers' labor intensity and improving construction efficiency.
  • Providing temporary supports and platforms: In some complex tunnel construction environments, bridge cranes can build temporary supports and platforms to provide workers with a safe working space and ensure the smooth progress of the construction process.

In addition, overhead cranes can be modified and configured according to the specific needs of tunnel projects to meet the requirements of different tasks. For example, specific spreaders and clamps can be equipped to accommodate the lifting of components of different shapes and sizes, or sensors and monitoring systems can be installed to improve the accuracy and safety of lifting operations.

What types of cranes are needed for tunnel projects?

In a tunnel project, several types of cranes may be used, each with a different role. Here are some common crane types and their uses in tunnel projects:

  • Bridge crane: Bridge cranes are mainly used in tunnel projects to hoist and install large components, such as beam sections, box culverts, bridge decks and tunnel segments. They usually have strong lifting capacity and high-precision operation performance to ensure accurate installation of components.
  • Gantry crane (mobile gantry crane): Gantry crane is often used in tunnel construction and track laying and other tasks. They have large lateral dimensions and stability, are capable of full rotation, and are suitable for lifting and handling work in narrow spaces.
  • Truck crane: Truck crane has the characteristics of strong maneuverability and high traveling speed, and can be quickly transferred to different working locations. In tunnel projects, they can be used to lift equipment, materials and components, especially in scenarios where quick response and flexible adjustments are required.
  • Crawler crane: Crawler crane has excellent off-road performance and strong handling capacity, and is suitable for construction work in complex terrain conditions. In tunnel projects, they can be used to carry heavy loads, perform earthmoving operations, and assist other construction machinery.
  • In addition, for the installation of tunnel arches, a tunnel arch crane may be used. This kind of crane adopts a double-arm structure, has the characteristics of automatic horizontal correction and stable rotation, and is suitable for the construction of tunnels with various arcs and sizes. It can accurately hoist and position tunnel arches to ensure the stability and safety of the tunnel structure.

Each crane type has its unique advantages and applicable scenarios. When selecting for use, it needs to be comprehensively considered based on the specific needs, working environment and safety requirements of the tunnel project. At the same time, ensure that the operation and maintenance of the crane comply with relevant standards and specifications to ensure the safety and efficiency of construction.

  Contact our crane specialists


Send us a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

    Send Your Needs

      en_USEnglish