The working mechanisms of a crane include the hoisting mechanism, traveling mechanism, luffing mechanism, and slewing mechanism, collectively known as the four main mechanisms. The hoisting mechanism is used to vertically lift and lower materials; it is an indispensable part of any crane and therefore its most important and fundamental mechanism. The traveling mechanism is used to horizontally move materials via the movement of the crane or trolley; it can be trackless or tracked, and according to its drive method, it is divided into self-propelled and towed types.
The luffing mechanism is a unique working mechanism of a boom crane. It changes the working radius by altering the length and elevation angle of the boom. The slewing mechanism causes the boom to rotate around the vertical axis of the crane, moving materials in a circular space. Cranes achieve the purpose of material handling through the individual movements of one mechanism or the combined movements of multiple mechanisms.
