How to select a crane for the construction of biogas tanks made of steel in the typical cylindrical shape used at most Anaerobic digestion plants.
The main components that such a crane must lift are the curved side panels that when bolted together and insulated on the outside will become a sealed tank. These frequently stand on a flat concrete base and stand up to 8m in height
Building circular steel biogas tanks is a specialized task requiring precision, safety, and the right equipment. The crane is an essential piece of machinery in this process, responsible for lifting and placing large steel components, ensuring the smooth and efficient construction of the biogas tanks.
Choosing the right crane is crucial to avoid delays, reduce costs, and maintain the highest safety standards on-site. Here are some tips to guide you in selecting the perfect crane for constructing circular steel biogas tanks.
How to Choose a Crane to Construct Circular Steel Biogas Tanks
1. Evaluate the Size and Weight of Materials
One of the first things to consider is the size and weight of the steel panels or sections that will form the circular biogas tank. Steel components can be incredibly heavy, especially for large industrial biogas tanks, which often range in diameter from 10 to over 50 meters. The crane must have a sufficient lifting capacity to handle these materials safely.
- Lifting Capacity: Ensure the crane has the necessary capacity to lift the heaviest component of the tank. A crane's maximum lifting capacity should exceed the weight of the heaviest load it will need to handle, including any rigging equipment.
- Reach: Consider the maximum height the crane must lift components to, as well as the distance it must reach horizontally. This is particularly important when constructing tall tanks or tanks with wide diameters, where the crane must stretch across a considerable distance.
2. Assess the Construction Site Conditions
The physical environment of the construction site is another key factor. Circular biogas tanks are often built on farms, industrial estates, or renewable energy projects, and the terrain can be uneven, muddy, or cramped. It's important to match the crane’s specifications to the site’s challenges:
- Terrain Type: If the construction site is uneven or difficult to navigate, consider a crawler crane with tracks for stability and mobility across rough ground. On more stable, flat surfaces, a mobile crane with wheels may be sufficient and can be easier to transport.
- Space Constraints: Ensure there is enough room for the crane’s footprint, including space for setup and operation. This includes considering any potential obstructions like buildings, power lines, or trees. In tight spaces, a tower crane or self-erecting crane might be more appropriate, as they have a smaller base footprint but greater vertical reach.
- Potential for high winds that may affect lifting operations.
3. Consider Ease of Assembly and Disassembly
Cranes used for constructing biogas tanks are typically not a permanent fixture on the site. The crane must be assembled, operated, and then disassembled efficiently to keep the project construction timeline on track.
- Assembly Time: Some cranes take longer to set up than others. Mobile cranes or hydraulic cranes tend to be faster to set up compared to larger tower cranes, which may require additional time and support equipment for assembly.
- Transportability: For remote locations or tight job sites, choose a crane that can be easily transported to and from the site. Truck-mounted cranes are often the best option for ease of transport and quick setup.
4. Review Safety Features
Construction sites, especially those involving heavy equipment like cranes, can be dangerous environments. Ensuring the crane has the latest safety features is essential for protecting workers, materials, and the overall success of the project.
- Load Monitoring: Modern cranes often come equipped with load monitoring systems, which provide real-time data about the load being lifted. This helps the operator avoid overloading the crane, which can lead to accidents.
- Stability Systems: Some cranes have automatic stability control systems that adjust the crane’s balance as it lifts loads, ensuring it remains steady, even when lifting materials at awkward angles.
- Operator Training: Ensure that crane operators are fully trained and certified to handle the specific type of crane being used. Regular safety inspections and adherence to local regulations are critical for maintaining a safe working environment.
5. Select the Right Type of Crane
Different types of cranes are suited for different construction projects. When building circular steel biogas tanks, the following types are commonly used:
- Mobile Cranes: These cranes are mounted on trucks, making them highly versatile and easy to move between construction sites. Their flexibility makes them ideal for short-term projects or sites with space limitations.
- Crawler Cranes: These cranes are built on tracks rather than wheels, offering greater stability on uneven or soft ground. They are particularly useful for larger, heavier biogas tank projects where the crane needs to stay in one place for extended periods.
- Tower Cranes: If your project involves constructing a tall biogas tank, a tower crane may be the best option. These cranes offer impressive height and can lift heavy loads with precision. However, they require more setup time and space.
- Telescopic Cranes: For sites with restricted space but variable height requirements, telescopic cranes are an excellent choice. These cranes have a boom that can extend or retract, allowing for more flexibility in tight spaces.
6. Project Duration and Rental Costs
Crane rentals can be a significant cost factor in the construction of biogas tanks. When choosing a crane, consider both the length of time it will be needed and the rental costs:
- Short-Term vs. Long-Term Projects: For shorter projects, it may be more cost-effective to rent a mobile or telescopic crane that can be quickly set up and moved. Longer projects may justify the use of a tower crane, despite the higher setup costs, due to its ability to handle ongoing heavy lifts over an extended period.
- Rental Costs: Consider the crane’s daily or monthly rental rate, as well as any additional costs for setup, disassembly, or transportation. It's also worth negotiating package deals if the project will require multiple types of cranes or if the rental will be for an extended duration.
7. Consult with a Crane Specialist
Finally, before making a final decision, consult with a crane rental company or an expert specializing in heavy equipment for construction projects. These professionals can provide insights on crane capacity, suitability for your specific project, and recommendations for maximizing efficiency.
They can help you understand factors like wind conditions, which can affect crane operations, or recommend crane attachments that can make lifting the curved steel panels of a biogas tank easier and safer.
Conclusion – How to Choose a Crane to Construct Circular Steel Biogas Tanks
Choosing the right crane for constructing circular steel biogas tanks is a decision that impacts safety, efficiency, and the overall cost of the project.
By carefully considering the size and weight of materials, site conditions, crane types, and safety features, farmers and construction managers can ensure they select the most appropriate equipment for the job.
The right crane not only speeds up the construction process but also helps ensure that the biogas tanks are built safely and accurately, maximizing the benefits of these sustainable energy systems.
Choosing a Crane Supply Company
Building construction in the anaerobic digestion and biogas industry requires a lot of labour and the moving of various materials across the site. Sometimes, the heaviest materials require lifting up many feet, especially if you’re working with a biogas digester tank that’s several stories high.
It is essential to choose a crane and hire a company like crane supplier WH Scott Lifting that provides equipment that is well-maintained, robust, and complies with all the many local safety rules.
1. Loading Reach and Lifting Height of the Crane is Important
Ensure that the lifting capability of the crane is relevant to the job requirements and confirm these operations by checking on the hirer's current load test certificates.
Hiring a crane that is large enough to lift the highest tank components, with the right loading at the required reach and lift height will save you a great deal of construction time, money, and resources.
You may be wondering whether to hire or buy a crane. These pieces of equipment require storage, are costly to keep idle and are rarely needed at operating biogas plants.
You can base your decision on several factors, such as whether you need this crane frequently for your company operations.
If this is only for a one-time job, it will be best to choose crane hire on a daily or weekly payment basis.
2. Other Lifting Equipment Used at Biogas Plants
Forklifts, hydraulics, and crawlers are available from various companies:
Crawlers: These are mobile track-mounted pieces of equipment that can handle lifting up to a few thousand pounds. They don’t usually require a lot of setups, and they offer plenty of mobility.
Forklifts: They are very convenient if you want to finish a small job inside your AD plant or warehouse. They are ready to lift heavy items that are commonly found indoors. Learn more about forklifts on this page.
Hydraulic Lifting: These are jacks or similar jacking equipment, and they are usually named according to the weight that they can handle.
3. Check the Company's Reputation
Once you’ve known the type that will do the work you’ve set out to do in the most efficient manner possible, the next move will be choosing a reputable company in your area.
These are well-known businesses for providing high-quality equipment that is durable, strong, and powerful.
Know that the workers’ lives and safety are at risk in a construction job. This is why you need to take things seriously, especially about choosing the company’s services and equipment to handle the job on your behalf.
You can limit the liabilities as long as you work with people who have a lot of experience in the industry. Some of them have been providing lifting services for decades, and they have a proven system that ensures the safety of everyone involved.
With this said, some of these enterprises will not hesitate to replace supply parts and broken equipment when the need arises. They have insurance, warranties, and guarantees in place to make their clients happy and to give them peace of mind.
Some of these companies’ reputations can be found online. Their previous customers can review their site or business on Google and other websites. They may have discussion forums in online communities to discover whether they did a good job or not on the previous project.
4. Availability
When you’re hiring a service, the crane must be available on the actual date when you need it the most.
If booking well in advance, you can call and book it to ensure its availability on the date you will need it.
You should not rent based on price alone. Ask for information and check the availability and schedules of the staff operators.
5. Evaluate Customer Service
The way a crane company interacts with its customers says a lot about them. Many would prefer dedicated customer service to call and reach someone during business hours to book equipment. Pay attention to the way the company handles requests, answers questions, and provides assistance.
6. Check for Proof of Insurance
Insurance proof is one of the most valuable tips that you should not forget. Companies with a trustworthy and reputable reputation can show you their insurance and bonds when you request them.
You would not want to risk the safety of everybody on site in the absence of insurance coverage.
Many businesses that register with insurance companies are inspected to see their risks and if they are qualified.
There’s always the possibility of accidents happening in any job, and this may cause everyone a good amount of damage. Without the bonds and insurance, all the liabilities will fall to you as the project manager or the owner, and the compensation amount can be enormous.
The best companies can provide you with what you need and show you proof of their insurance and certificates. You can ask them about referrals and talk to at least three of them before making your decision.
You can also get recommendations from friends and families if they have needed similar equipment in the past and ask about their experience.
Concluding our Crane Choice Supply Article
We recommend that all our readers note the contents of this article. Why not save this page to your browser bookmarks for future reference?
Sooner or later all biogas plant operators will come across a maintenance job that requires a suitable crane from a reliable crane supply company.
By being aware of the different types, their availability, the services offered, and important insurance terms you will be one step ahead to making a successful crane purchase or hire.
[Published 16 July 2021. Updated 22 September 2024.]
Company reputation and customer services are very important. Thanks for sharing this article will share it with our team.