Tower Crane Dismantling with a Mobile Crane on Al Reem Island
How a mobile crane is sized and planned to dismantle a tower crane on Al Reem Island and in Abu Dhabi: heaviest component, radius, set-up space, and approvals.
Short answer: the mobile crane for a tower crane dismantle is sized by the heaviest component it must lower, at the radius and height where that component sits. That is usually the counter-jib, the slewing unit, or a counterweight block, at the top of the tower. Because the crane must reach high and often set up some distance from the tower, dismantles on Al Reem Island commonly need a 200 ton class crane or larger. The tower crane's manufacturer data and a lift plan confirm the exact size.
The Usual Dismantling Sequence
- ✓Where the tower crane can climb, lower it to the lowest height the site allows
- ✓Remove counterweight blocks in the order the manufacturer specifies, so the crane stays balanced
- ✓Lower the jib, in sections or whole, depending on its length and the space below
- ✓Remove the remaining counterweights and lower the counter-jib
- ✓Lower the slewing unit, cab, and tower head
- ✓Lower the mast sections one by one
The exact order always follows the tower crane manufacturer's dismantling manual. Each component is a separate lift with its own weight and radius. The lift plan lists them all and checks every one against the mobile crane's load chart. The heaviest lift at the longest radius decides the crane.
What Decides the Mobile Crane Size
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Heaviest component weight | Often the counter-jib or slewing unit, not the jib |
| Height of the tower head | The boom must reach above it with rigging clearance |
| Radius from crane to tower | Set-up space on tight plots pushes the radius out |
| Jib length and where it can be laid down | Sets whether the jib comes down whole or in sections |
| Ground or road capacity at the set-up point | Large cranes need mats and sometimes a road closure |
Approvals and Timing on Al Reem
Al Reem's tower plots are tight, so the mobile crane often sets up on the road beside the site. That normally means municipality approval for road occupancy, a traffic management plan, and often a night or weekend slot. Wind is the other constraint: large components on a long boom have strict wind limits, so keep a weather margin in the programme. A detailed crane lift plan is part of every approval.
Seven Lift supplies 200 ton cranes and larger for tower crane erection and dismantling across Abu Dhabi, with lift plans and certified riggers. See equipment rental on Al Reem Island for the island's access and delivery details.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size mobile crane do I need to dismantle a tower crane?+
It depends on the heaviest component, its height, and the radius from the mobile crane. Tower crane dismantles on tight city plots often need a 200 ton class crane or larger, confirmed by a lift plan.
Which part of a tower crane is heaviest to remove?+
Usually the counter-jib, the slewing unit, or the counterweight blocks. The jib is long but often lighter, and can be lowered in sections.
Does tower crane dismantling on Al Reem Island need a road closure?+
Often, yes. When the mobile crane sets up on a public road, municipality approval and traffic management are normally required, and the work is often scheduled at night.
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