When looking for cranes, most buyers make the same mistake. They often select cranes based on price and availability rather than matching them to the actual task. There are various types of cranes available, but you need the right type that matches your job site’s conditions, load requirements, and, of course, the timeline.
Selecting the right crane is more important than you think. A construction crane that performs well on a concrete surface may fail on soft soil, while used mobile cranes may not meet the requirements of high-rise jobs. Given that decision always comes with knowledge, we’ve created a guide that discusses the 10 most common cranes, their real lifting capacities and where each type performs best.
10 Most Common Types Of Cranes Used In Construction
1. Tower Crane
A tower crane is a fixed, static crane rooted to a concrete foundation. These types of cranes are designed for high-rise construction structures and projects that need sheer lifting heights. They feature a vertical mast, horizontal jib, & trolley which moves along the jib to position heavy loads precisely.
Most modern tower crane models offer a lifting height between 80 and 100 metres, with specialised models packing significantly more height, more than 150+ m. Lifting capacities range between 10 and 20 tons for most models. Its slewing mechanism enables it to rotate 360°, while counter-jibs balance the load.
Tower cranes dominate urban skylines with their impressive lifting height and weight-lifting capacities. They are highly useful for lifting steel beams, concrete buckets, and formwork to upper floors of skyscrapers or high-rise structures.
2. Mobile Crane
Mobile cranes are versatile wheeled lifting machines that combine portability with impressive lifting capabilities. They have a telescopic or lattice boom fitted on a carrier chassis with multiple axles for travelling on roads.
The lifting capacity of mobile cranes depends on models. Compact models usually offer between 8 and 20 tons, while heavy-duty machines can lift as much as 1200+ tons. Lifting height varies too, with most models providing between 10 and 48m, while specialised models can lift between 50 and 100m.
Used mobile cranes are popular among contractors because they can be deployed easily without assembly and can handle diverse tasks from infrastructure to emergency repairs. Integrated outriggers stabilise the machine during lifting operations, and modern hydraulic systems provide smooth load control across different boom lengths and radii.
3. Crawler Crane
Crawler cranes are quite common for their wide range of benefits. They are designed using a lattice or telescopic boom, mounted on a rotating structure. Underneath, the cab is mounted on steel tracks which distribute its heavy weight evenly for offering high traction on soft, muddy or uneven terrain.
Lifting capacities of crawler cranes vary with classes. Smaller units can lift between 30 and 80 tons, and 30 to 55m. Larger models offer between 100 and 300 tons commonly, with specialised models hauling up to 3000+ tons and reaching up to 120m. These cranes are highly useful for bridge construction, windmill installations, industrial projects, and other areas, where mobility on rough ground and massive lifting power are essential.
4. Rough Terrain Cranes
Rough terrain cranes are among the most popular lifting equipment used globally. They feature a telescopic boom mounted on a cab with a rugged undercarriage. Underneath, large pneumatic tyres and a 4WD system ensure high traction on rugged surfaces. This makes them highly useful for remote work sites or where ground conditions are unpredictable.
Most rough terrain cranes can lift between 25 and 160 tons, with boom lengths of 34 and 60m. Terex cranes, especially the Terex RT780, are among the cranes for their 80-ton capacity and max tip height of 57.9m. These cranes have outriggers that extend horizontally to stabilise the crane during operation.
Their compact footprint allows them to move easily through tight spaces, but these cranes cannot travel on highways and require transportation by trailers.
5. All-Terrain Cranes
All-terrain cranes mix off-road capability with highway mobility, which makes them highly preferable among contractors. These cranes are designed with multiple axles (often 8 to 12), 4WD systems and advanced steering systems like crab steer and articulated steering mechanisms that allow them to navigate terrains and challenging surfaces with ease.
Capacity depends on the class. Compact machines offer between 40 and 60 tons, while mid-range all-terrain cranes can lift between 70 and 150 tons. Heavy-duty ones can lift between 200 and 450 tons or more. Boom lengths vary between 30 and 100m.
The XCMG XCA220 220-ton all-terrain crane offers a 73-meter fully extended boom with an optional lattice jib that reaches 108.2 meters total tip height. The crane travels at 84 km/h on highways with 67% gradeability and 280 mm ground clearance.
6. Truck-Mounted Crane
Truck-mounted cranes or boom trucks are equipped with a hydraulic telescopic boom directly on a commercial truck chassis. The operator sitting inside the cab controls the boom movement near the boom base. Lifting capacity generally hovers between 10 and 100 tons, with boom lengths ranging between 20 and 40m; however, some models offer greater heights and capacities.
These trucks can travel on roads, at good speeds and without specialised carriers. This makes them highly useful for utility work and short-duration lifts. Their speed and portability make them popular when it comes to renting a construction crane with a shorter setup time.
7. Telescopic Crane
Telescopic cranes utilise a hydraulic system to extend and retract integrated steel tubes, offering variable reach without a lattice assembly. Boom lengths in telescopic cranes typically span between 20 and 100m for most models. Lifting capacity generally ranges between 100 and 500 tons.
These cranes are mounted on mobile carriers and can respond quickly to changing lift requirements. The hydraulic function ensures smooth extension and retraction, while load moment indicators help you prevent overloading. Telescopic cranes are commonly found at construction sites, rescue operations and maintenance tasks for their high versatility in different environments.
8. Loader Crane
Loader cranes, also called knuckle boom or folding boom cranes, are engineered with an articulated arm with multiple hydraulic sections that fold over the bed. They are mounted on delivery trucks or trailers and can handle heavy loading and unloading operations. A loader crane’s load moment capacity is measured in tonne-metres ™.
Industry-standard models offer between 80 and 100 tons and a maximum reach of 25 m. The articulated design allows the boom to reach over obstacles and precisely place heavy loads in tight sites. Modern loader cranes come with a remote control mechanism and load-sensing functions, offering better convenience and safety.
9. Overhead Crane
Overhead or bridge cranes use ceiling-mounted tracks in factories, warehouses and industrial facilities. The hoist travels on a movable platform that spans within the bay, lifting loads vertically and moving them horizontally. Capacity ranges from 1 to over 500 tons, depending on the model, and lifting height ranges between 6 and 20 metres (customisable for higher lifting height).
These cranes maximise the floor space since they have overhead rail systems, which makes them ideal for lifting tasks in indoor environments like steel mills, automotive plants and ports.
10. Gantry Crane
Gantry cranes are very similar to overhead cranes, but they stand on freestanding legs with wheels that move along floor-mounted rails. They come in two types: full gantry (two legs) or semi-gantry (one leg on rail, one on elevated track).
Capacity depends on the type and generally ranges between 5 and 500 tons. Portable cranes require no permanent installation and can lift between 5 and 10 tons, whereas fixed full gantries can haul up to 500 tons. Lifting capacity is mostly rated at 30m.
Conclusion
Buying the right crane depends on the terrain, load weight, height capacity and duration of your project. Whether you’re buying a tower crane or used mobile cranes for their lifting flexibility, matching lifting machines against your job requirements accelerates your productivity and timelines.
For crane purchases, contact Hexco Global. Hexco Global offers various Rough Terrain Cranes and All-Terrain Cranes. Contact us today to buy Terex cranes or share your requirements.
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