Cranes are heavy-duty lifting equipment designed based on mechanical principles and power transmission systems, primarily used for vertical lifting, horizontal movement, and rotational handling of heavy loads. The core working system consists of a metal structure, hoisting mechanism, traveling mechanism, and optional luffing and slewing mechanisms. The metal framework is constructed with high-strength steel to ensure load-bearing capacity, while the hoisting mechanism utilizes motors to drive wire ropes and pulley blocks, applying mechanical advantage principles for weight lifting. The traveling mechanism enables whole-machine movement through tracks or tires. A control system precisely regulates electric or hydraulic drives to coordinate these mechanisms, with counterweight systems maintaining overall stability.

Depending on application scenarios, cranes are mainly categorized into tower, mobile, overhead, and gantry types. Modern cranes integrate intelligent control technologies, employing variable frequency speed regulation, PLC systems, and AI algorithms to enhance operational precision. Lightweight designs and energy recovery systems further improve efficiency. With automation advancements, remote operation and unmanned technologies have made cranes indispensable in construction, ports, and manufacturing sectors, continuously driving progress in modern engineering projects.