Crane Buying Guide

 

This guide highlights general features and specifications of cranes, a machine bidadoo frequently sells in our online auctions. We have cranes available from many of our locations across the country including Texas, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and more.

 

What is a crane?

Industrial cranes are pieces of heavy, aerial machinery that allow heavy loads to be hoisted, lowered or raised, as well as moved horizontally or vertically using a pulley, wire rope mechanism. Cranes come in many different varieties, and can be controlled by remote, lever, or push buttons. 

 

What kind of cranes are there?

There are multiple kinds of industrial cranes. From overhead cranes and truck-mounted cranes, to tower cranes and gantry cranes, to jib cranes and rough terrain cranes. There are also bridge cranes, crawler cranes, railroad cranes, ship deck cranes, and more.

The most common cranes featured in our online auctions include carry deck cranes, truck-mounted cranes, rough terrain cranes, and all-terrain cranes.

 

What is a carry deck crane?

Carry deck cranes are one of the smallest lifting machines on the market. They are wheeled vehicles with a deck, an operator cap, and a central boom capable of rotating a full 360 degrees. Because of their compact size and wheels, they can drive around a work site like a truck can. Their low-profile and compact size allows them to fit into narrow spaces and reach overhead areas with existing obstacles.

Commonly used in construction jobs for loading and unloading, the name “carry deck” comes from the crane’s deck that can hold and transport materials around the jobsite, which takes away the need for another, separate vehicle.

Carry deck cranes may include boom extensions, boom work lights, an enclosed cab, 4WD, hydraulic controls, outriggers, and more.

 

 

 

What is a truck-mounted crane?

A truck-mounted crane is exactly what it sounds like, a crane on a truck. The base consists of a semi truck with an operator cab, and the top contains a secondary operating booth and crane. The crane’s hydraulic arm has multiple joints that can fold and collapse down when not in use, and having a truck on the base of the unit allows for enhanced site accessibility and better material transportation.

As a whole, truck-mounted cranes minimize operation cost, reduce manpower requirements, shorten site prep time, and require less space than stand-alone cranes. They’re often utilized in construction jobs, cargo handling, electric line maintenance and more.

Truck-mounted cranes may include a boom & jib, two-gear pump, outriggers, counterweights, rotex gear and more.

 

 

 

 

 

What is a rough-terrain crane?

Rough-terrain cranes, also known as off-road cranes, are mounted on a four-wheeled undercarriage. They have wider and taller wheels than other cranes to increase ground clearance over uneven ground, a telescopic boom for reach, and outriggers for stabilization. They typically have 4WD, power steering, and they possess the capability of picking up a load and carrying it to various locations around the work site.

Since rough-terrains are off-road focused, they cannot travel on public roads like all-terrain cranes. However, rough-terrains weigh less than all-terrains since they only have one engine, making them better for maneuvering into confined lifting spaces. One single engine on rough-terrains powers the entire machine, and both driving and operation take place from the same cab.

 

 

 

What is an all-terrain crane?

All-terrain cranes are mounted on an undercarriage, like rough-terrains. However, all-terrains typically have 6 to 10 tires, and certain models have up to 9 axles. In addition to maneuvering on uneven ground like sand, gravel, asphalt and tar, all-terrains can travel on public roads.

With powerful telescopic booms that extend hydraulically, all-terrains are highly versatile, can lift up to 1000 tons (1 metric ton) and reach up to 330 ft (101 m). This is due to their heavy weight and two engines, which power the boom and undercarriage separately.

 

 

 

For more info on a specific crane selling on auction, please email auctionservices@bidadoo.com or call 206.442.9000.