Mobile cranes play a pivotal role in almost every construction and industrial project. These durable machines move heavy material around on construction sites with rough terrains, saving time and reducing manual labor.
Understanding the Basics of Mobile Cranes
Mobile cranes are mounted on tracks or rubber tires and use a hook and boom to lift, move and transport heavy objects with ease. Although mobile cranes are large machines, most are easy to maneuver, making them ideal for uneven terrains.
Different Types of Mobile Cranes and Their Uses
There are different types of mobile cranes, each suited for a particular purpose. Popular mobile cranes include:
Carry Deck Cranes
Carry deck cranes have four wheels and can rotate 360 degrees as they carry and transport material. These compact cranes are small and easy to maneuver in tight spaces but don't have a large carrying capacity. They are popular in industrial applications.
Crawler Cranes
Crawler cranes are often seen on infrastructure and large building sites. These cranes can “crawl” around job sites with their tracked chassis, which gives them increased stability. Crawler cranes have to be erected on their jobsite, and take several truckloads of parts to be put together. The booms of crawler cranes are either fixed lattice or hydraulic-powered. The world’s largest cranes are lattice crawler cranes, and can lift thousands of US tons.
Rough Terrain Cranes
These rugged cranes are ideal for rugged and uneven terrains because they have four-wheel drive, and often four-wheel steer. Rough terrain cranes can climb steep inclines and maneuver around tight corners but can't travel on public roads with other vehicles.
All-Terrain Cranes
For versatility, consider an all-terrain crane since they're equipped for uneven job sites and highways. The largest all-terrain cranes offer lifting capacities of well over 500 US tons and can reach over 250 ft. when fully equipped.
Boom Truck Cranes
Boom trucks are hydraulic cranes that are mounted on commercial chassis. Boom truck capacities can range from 10 to 60+ US Tons. They are popular for quick jobs and allow the operator to drive from one job to the next easily. Large flatbeds offer payload to haul materials. Boom trucks can either have an enclosed operator cab or an open stand-up station.
Choosing the Right Mobile Crane: Comparing Features and Benefits
Mobile cranes are a large investment, so you want to choose the right one for your specific projects. When selecting a mobile crane, assess your project requirements and consider how the following crane features will meet those requirements:
- Load capacity: If your projects require heavy lift capabilities, purchase or rent a crane with a large load capacity.
- Lift height: Are you working on tall buildings? Choose a crane with a longer boom to lift loads higher.
- Transporting capabilities: If you must transport loads between sites, you need a mobile crane with wheels that can travel on roads.
How Stephenson Equipment Supports Your Mobile Crane Selection
At Stephenson Equipment, we have a large inventory of new and used mobile cranes. Contact us today for more information on our mobile cranes, and we'll help you pick the ideal equipment for your application.
