Overview
Cranes are most commonly used to lower and lift large loads to hard-to-reach areas like high-rise buildings, commercial centers, and roofs. Construction cranes are fixed to the ground or mounted on a custom-built vehicle. Fixed cranes can reach higher and handle heavier loads, while the advantage of mobile cranes is their maneuverability.
There are a few different types of mobile cranes, which we’ll cover below:
- All-Terrain Cranes: As the name suggests, they can be used in many different types of terrains thanks to crab steering and all-wheel drive.
- Crawler Cranes: Crawler cranes are mounted on an undercarriage fixed with a set of tracks. Crawler cranes are great for operation on soft ground.
- Rough Terrain Cranes: Rough terrain cranes are robust machines worthy of usage in rough terrains. Outriggers provide stability for lifting operations using a hydraulic boom and hoist.
- Telescopic Handler Mobile Crane: The most common attachment in the construction industry and warehouses is a pallet fork. Telehandlers can take palletized cargo from the ground and place them in high places.
Mobile cranes have many advantages, including flexibility, movability, close-fitting, and strength to handle heavy loads.