Quick Summary
- Construction cranes are grouped into static cranes, which stay in place, and mobile cranes, which travel between job sites.
- Common static cranes include overhead cranes, tower cranes, and level-luffing cranes.
- Common mobile cranes include crawler, rough terrain, truck-mounted, all-terrain, and carry deck cranes.
- Hydraulic truck cranes pair road mobility with strong lifting capacity, making them a practical fit for many commercial, industrial, and telecommunication projects.
- Parker's Crane offers free on-site quotes and evaluations to help match the right crane to your job.
The Two Main Categories of Construction Cranes
Cranes are an essential part of building high-rises and other large construction projects. They move heavy equipment and materials into position at heights and distances that would be impossible to reach otherwise. Understanding the two main categories makes it easier to narrow down which type of crane fits your project.
- Static cranes: These are typically used when the unit will not need to move between sites. Many are installed for long-term or permanent use.
- Mobile cranes: These are smaller than static cranes and are mounted on a truck or on tracks. They can travel from one job to the next, which makes them a flexible choice for projects of many sizes.
Types of Static Cranes
Static cranes are built to stay put for the length of a project or longer. They are common on large building sites and in facilities that need a permanent lifting solution.
Overhead Cranes
Overhead cranes move heavy objects from one location to another inside a defined work area. They consist of a horizontal bridge that travels along a runway on tracks. Overhead cranes can hoist upwards of 400 tons and are typically installed for permanent use across a variety of industries.
Tower Cranes
Tower cranes are a strong solution for building projects in dense urban areas, and they are often the cranes you see standing above a growing city's skyline. They typically require a mobile crane to set them up. Once the initial setup is complete, a climbing frame can be added to the base of the tower and raised to add new mast sections.
There are three common styles of tower cranes:
- Hammerhead tower cranes: These include a horizontal jib that rotates 360 degrees around the mainmast. They are one of the most popular crane styles in urban areas.
- Luffing tower cranes: These serve similar purposes to hammerhead cranes, but the jib can be raised and lowered through a method called luffing. Luffing tower cranes are capable of lifting heavier objects than hammerhead cranes.
- Self-erecting tower cranes: These units are lighter and more transportable than hammerhead and luffing cranes, though they have a lower load capacity. They fold and unfold, so crews can erect and dismantle them on site.
Because tower cranes usually need a mobile crane for setup, Parker's Crane can help set tower cranes that are small enough for our fleet. We also provide crane erection and dismantling crews to support that work.
Level-Luffing Cranes
Level-luffing cranes are similar in design to luffing tower cranes. In addition to rotating around the vertical mast, the jib can move inward and outward. These cranes are well suited to freight loading and ship construction, along with a number of other projects.
Types of Mobile Cranes
Mobile cranes are mounted on some kind of truck or tracks, so they can drive or be hauled from site to site. For many contractors, a mobile crane is the most practical way to handle lifts that last a few hours, a few days, or a few weeks. Here are five common types of mobile cranes used in construction.
Crawler Cranes
Crawler cranes are mounted on tracks like a tank. They have lattice jibs similar to static cranes and can lift upwards of 2,500 tons, which makes them a fit for some of the heaviest construction lifts.
Rough Terrain Cranes
Rough terrain cranes, often called RT cranes, have a telescoping boom mounted on four oversized tires. They are designed for regions with challenging terrain or frequent weather-related impacts, and they can pick up about 165 tons.
Truck-Mounted Cranes
Truck-mounted cranes, also known as TMCs, have booms mounted to a large truck bed. This design makes them especially mobile, since they can travel on the road to reach the job site. Our rental fleet at Parker's Crane is built around Grove hydraulic truck cranes, including:
- Grove TMS700E (two units): Max capacity of 50 to 60 USt, a four-section full power MEGAFORM boom, a main boom length of 36 to 110 feet, and a max tip height of 212 feet.
- Grove TMS9000E: Max capacity of 110 USt, a main boom length of 56 feet, and a max tip height of 142 feet.
- Grove TMS9000-2: The premier truck-mounted crane in our fleet, with a max tip height of 263.4 feet.
All-Terrain Cranes
All-terrain cranes are similar to truck cranes and rough terrain cranes, but they typically have more tires. That extra support allows them to handle extremely challenging terrain. All-terrain cranes are available with load capacities as high as 1,200 tons.
Carry Deck Cranes
Carry deck cranes have a telescopic boom that mounts to a deck, and the deck rests on four large tires. They can lift up to approximately 10 tons, which makes them useful for lighter lifts.
How to Choose the Right Type of Crane for Your Project
The best crane for your project depends on the load, the site, and how long you need the equipment. Before you call a crane rental company, gather the following details:
- Location: Where the lift will take place and how the crane will reach the site.
- Set-up area: How much room is available for the crane to park and set up.
- Ground conditions: Whether the ground is firm, soft, sloped, or uneven.
- Overhead obstructions: Power lines, trees, roofs, or other structures near the lift path.
- Dimensions: The size and shape of the item you need to lift.
- Load weight: The total weight of the item being lifted.
With this information, our team can recommend a crane and build a lift plan around your job. If you are new to the process, our step-by-step guide to renting a crane for the first time walks through what to expect from start to finish.
For smaller lifts, some project managers weigh a crane against a boom truck. Our article on the benefits of renting a mobile crane vs. a boom truck can help you compare the two options. It also helps to know the vocabulary your crew will use on site, and The Parts of a Crane Made Simple covers the main components.
What Parker's Crane Brings to Your Construction Project
Parker's Crane is a family-owned and operated business with over 40 years in the industry. We provide crane rental, custom rigging, and heavy hauling services throughout the Carolinas and the East Coast, serving industrial, commercial, residential, power, and telecommunication projects.
Every crane rental from Parker's Crane includes support from our experienced team. Our crane rental services include:
- NCCCO certified operators
- Certified and qualified riggers and signal persons
- OSHA and MSHA qualified personnel
- Free on-site quotes and evaluations
- Lift plans for your project
- Hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly rental
- 24/7 emergency service
- Heavy hauling to move equipment to and from your site
Safety guides every job we take on. Our Zero Accident Philosophy includes pre-lift job assessments, daily risk assessments, on-site hazard analyses, and routine management audits, and our safety record is reflected in our EMR and TRIR ratings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the two main categories of construction cranes?
The two main categories are static cranes and mobile cranes. Static cranes, such as overhead and tower cranes, typically stay in one place. Mobile cranes, such as truck-mounted and crawler cranes, are mounted on a truck or tracks and can move between sites.
What type of crane is used for high-rise construction?
Tower cranes are commonly used for high-rise projects in dense urban areas. They typically require a mobile crane to set them up, and crews can add mast sections with a climbing frame as the building rises.
What is the difference between a truck-mounted crane and an all-terrain crane?
A truck-mounted crane has its boom mounted to a large truck bed, which makes it especially mobile on the road. An all-terrain crane is similar but typically has more tires, allowing it to handle extremely challenging terrain.
What types of cranes does Parker's Crane rent?
Our fleet is made up of Grove hydraulic cranes, including our newest crane, the Grove GMK5150L, with a max capacity of 175 USt and a max tip height of 318.2 feet. We also operate the Grove TMS700E, TMS9000E, and TMS9000-2. You can view full details on our crane list.
How do I know which type of crane my project needs?
Start by gathering your location, set-up area, ground conditions, overhead obstructions, load dimensions, and load weight. Parker's Crane offers free on-site quotes and evaluations and can prepare a lift plan to confirm the right crane for your job.
Find the Right Crane for Your Construction Project
Choosing among the many types of cranes gets easier when you understand how static and mobile cranes differ and what your site requires. Parker's Crane pairs a well-maintained fleet of hydraulic cranes with NCCCO certified operators, qualified riggers and signal persons, and a Zero Accident Philosophy. To schedule a free on-site quote, contact the Parker's Crane team or call (704) 788-2614.