Types of Cranes: Your Ultimate Crane Use and Hauling Guide

Why Understanding Crane Types Matters For Transport

When moving cranes, complex variables are in play. Crane classes impact trailer selection, load planning, permitting, and more. Those involved in crane hauling must understand crane classes to avoid:

• Delays
• Equipment mismatches
• Safety hazards

Successful crane hauling depends on a thorough knowledge of state regulations. Crane height, boom length, and track width impact route surveys, pilot car requirements, and teardown needs.

Accordingly, logistics coordinators often use crane transport services like Heavy Equipment Transport for routing, scheduling, and delivery expertise.

The Most Common Types Of Cranes

In general, cranes fall into one of three categories: mobile, fixed, or specialized. Each comes with different transport demands.

Mobile Cranes

Mobile cranes are often used for short-term lifts and at construction sites. They are also deployed for the repair or replacement of larger equipment. One advantage is that they move independently along roadways and at job sites. Successful mobile crane transport requires careful attention to weight distribution and boom placement.

Truck-Mounted Cranes

Truck-mounted cranes are integrated into the vehicle’s chassis. They are often used by utilities and at urban construction sites. It is possible to drive it to the job site, if nearby. Logistics professionals often turn to truck-mounted crane transport for longer trips, however. Outriggers and accessories are often shipped separately.

Gantry Cranes

Gantry cranes are on legs mounted on wheels or fixed rails. They are found in ports, shipyards, intermodal facilities, and manufacturing plants. Gantry crane transport often requires the disassembly of legs, girders, beams, and hoists. Due to the size of the machine, RTG crane hauling usually involves multiple loads.

All-Terrain Cranes

All-terrain cranes are used in energy, industrial construction, and infrastructure. They are deployed in both on-road and off-road applications. All-wheel steering and independent suspensions deliver needed maneuverability. All-terrain crane transport is a type of oversize crane hauling often demanding disassembly, special permitting, and escort vehicles.

Rough-Terrain Cranes

Rough-terrain cranes feature single-cab designs that better accommodate more extreme topography. They are commonly used in oil fields and power plant construction. Rough-terrain crane shipping typically involves the use of a lowboy or RGN trailer.

Crawler Cranes

Track-mounted crawler cranes are massive, with the largest ones boasting lifting capacities of more than 3,000 tons. Crawler cranes perform heavy lifts at wind farms, industrial facilities, and other megaprojects. Crawler crane transport requires the disassembly of boom sections, counterweights, and crawlers, usually in multiple loads.

Tower Cranes

Tower cranes are tall, fixed structures used in high-rise construction and commercial developments. Tower crane transport is a complex process requiring multiple truckloads. Successful tower crane component hauling requires precise staging and carefully coordinated rigging.

Telescopic Cranes

Telescopic cranes feature extendable booms for lifting flexibility. They are commonly used in general construction and utility work. Boom length often impacts the nature of telescopic crane shipping. A longer boom may require an oversize permit, for example.

Knuckle-Boom (Articulating) Cranes

Project managers turn to knuckle-boom cranes for material delivery in tight spaces, as well as in forestry, logistics yards, and material handling. Many of these cranes are compact enough for flatbed hauling. Knuckle-boom crane hauling may also involve truck-mounted rigs.

Carry Deck Cranes

Carry deck cranes are highly maneuverable and capable of navigating tight spaces. They are used in factories, refineries, and for industrial maintenance. Designs typically include a 360-degree rotating boom and a flat deck. Carry deck crane shipping usually involves the use of standard flatbeds.

Floating / Marine Cranes

Marine crane systems are mounted on barges or floating platforms. Floating cranes are used in shipyards and for offshore work. Marine crane transport often occurs via heavy hauls coordinated with maritime terminals.

Railroad Cranes

Railroads use rail-mounted cranes for track construction, repair, and maintenance. They are also indispensable for emergency recovery in the event of a derailment. Railroad crane hauling occurs either by rail or road using specialized trailers.

Overhead / Bridge Cranes

Steel mills and other heavy manufacturing often rely on the use of overhead cranes. Components include a horizontal bridge, hoist trolley, and single or double girders. Overhead crane transport often requires disassembly into girders, rails, and hoist components.

Container Yard & RTG Cranes (Stack Cranes)

Container yard and RTG (rubber-tire gantry) cranes lift and stack shipping containers. They are popular in ports and intermodal yards. Container crane transport often requires multi-load disassembly, particularly for big stack cranes. It is possible to haul certain smaller container cranes without taking them apart.

Conclusion

Heavy Equipment Transport hauls cranes of every class, size, and configuration. Our expert team handles route planning, permits, customs paperwork, and escort coordination. Specialist haulers and drivers offer loading and unloading help as needed.

For every crane haul, our team assesses all statutory and safety requirements. They ask important questions like:

• What type of trailer is appropriate?
• What axle configuration is required?
• Is a pilot car required?
• What permitting is needed, if any?

We account for shipping origin and destination, size, weight, and schedule. If the pickup or dropoff point lacks space or needed loading equipment, we'll bring everything needed for safe and efficient handling.

Heavy Equipment Transport is your one-stop transport shop. Let us put our industry-leading hauling experience to work for you. We deliver quality crane shipping solutions across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Simply tell us about your crane and where it needs to go, and we will get it there. For prompt and professional assistance, please give us a call at (888) 730-2951.