Lifting capacity enhancement of a crawler crane by improving stability

Abstract

The lifting capacity of a crawler crane is limited by its stability and structural strength. This paper analyzes the stability factor by calculating tipping loads at various load radii for a particular boom length. It shows that the tipping load decreases with an increase in the load radius. A new structural frame is proposed to extend out the superstructure counterweight of the crane. With such a proposed arrangement, it is shown that the lifting capacity of the crane, limited by stability, increases. Static structural analysis of the proposed structural frame is performed using ANSYS workbench software.