Planning to rent a crane for an upcoming project? If this is your first time renting a crane, you might need a bit of help finding out the right unit for your project.
If that’s what you’re looking for, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about the different types of crane available for hire.
What Are the Types of Cranes Available for Hire?
If you are already in the industry, you know that there are several types of cranes available for hire. If you are new to this, though, you may have trouble distinguishing one from the other. The size and configuration of each crane serve a specific purpose and vary according to the type of job they are meant for.
From their lifting capacities to the environment they will be used in, you have a lot to take into consideration. For example, the heavier the job, the greater the lifting capacity will be.
So, what are the different types of cranes?
1. Crane Vessel
Crane vessel, also known as floating crane and crane ship, is a fixed type of crane that cannot be moved. Great for lifting heavy loads, this type of crane is mostly used to lift sunken ships from the water or load or unload ships.
2. Telescopic Crane
Equipped with a large boom fitted with tubes, telescopic crane is high enough to handle the transportation of goods from a low place to a high place and vice versa. They are also good for rescue operations as their height can be adjusted.
3. Harbour Crane
The harbour crane, often called mobile harbor or port harbour crane is a flexible machine able to lift very heavy loads. This makes it perfect for unloading and loading ships in seaports.
4. Crawler Crane:
Designed to move on tracks, the crawler crane is a very heavy type of crane that can move on almost any kind of surface.
5. Rough Terrain Crane
Mounted on four rubber tires, the rough terrain crane is mostly used in off-road applications.
6. All-Terrain Crane
Very similar to the rough terrain crane, all-terrain cranes travel at the same speed on the public roads as well as on the off roads. They differ from the rough terrain crane in two ways: 1) they have more tires, and 2) all-terrain cranes can be used both on off roads and on public roads.
7. Truck Mounted Crane
Mounted on a truck with rubber tires, this type of crane is equipped with only one engine. This engine is responsible for the operation of both the undercarriage and the crane. Able to travel on highways, the truck mounted crane is a relatively cheap crane that does not require any other vehicles to transport it. Most truck-mounted cranes have a rotation of 180 degrees but you should be able to find some that can do a complete revolution (but these tend to be on the more expensive side).
8. Level Luffing Cranes
Level luffing cranes are equipped with a hook that stays fixed and a hinged jib that can move in a vertical direction.
9. Rail Road Cranes
Exclusively used on railway tracks, the railroad crane is used for railway lines itself. Its flanged wheels make it impossible for this type of crane to travel on roads but perfect for the construction, maintenance and repair of railway lines.
10. Telescopic Handler Cranes
Resembling forklift trucks, the telescopic handler cranes have a telescoping extendable boom-like crane and can do a full 360 degrees rotation. They are mostly used to install frame trusses in buildings.
11. Aerial Cranes
Also called sky cranes, aerial cranes look like helicopters. They are very versatile and can be used for a wide array of things, such as carrying large loads in places that are difficult to reach by land, lifting loads to high rise buildings and for rescue purposes in the wake of a disaster.
12. Tower Cranes
Fixed to the ground or attached to the side of structures, the tower care is the most commonly used type of crane. Their ability to lift heavy weights to great heights make them great tools in the construction of tall buildings.
Hiring Cranes: Everything You need to Know
Now that you the different types of cranes there are, here’re a few additional things you need to know when hiring:
- Know your project well. You need to know this to hire the right type of crane.
- Determine how long the project will last and for how long you’ll need the crane. If you’ll need for a few hours, it will make no sense to hire it for a full day.
- Do not settle on the first rental company you find. Shop around and look for other rental companies. You might find a better deal somewhere else!
