The first tower builders: Long before the powerful cranes of today, derrick cranes built the skyscrapers of cities like Chicago and New York. Even now, they are still in demand

摘要

As the tower crane market grew, demand for the much simpler derricks diminished. At the end of the 20th century, the number of derrick manufacturers had dwindled, but crane manufacturers have continued to develop new variations on this older technology. With skylines continuing to grow taller and tower cranes larger, derricks still have a place in the construction industry. Dismantling tower cranes and working on skyscraper rooftops are the most common jobs for derricks because they provide an economical hoisting solution with their light assembly weight and strong lifting capacities. Outside of urban environments, derricks are still a popular choice for building bridges, working on power plants and in mining.