10 Common Types of Cranes For Construction - Maxim Crane

10/26/22, 5:45 PM 10 Common Types Of Cranes For Construction | Maxim Crane
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Guide to Types of Cranes for Construction

 Last updated on October 12, 2021
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It would be all but impossible (and certainly inefficient) to build bridges, high-rises, roads,
or any other
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large project without construction cranes. They are used to raise or lower
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heavy objects, transport objects around the construction site, and are essential for the
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building or deconstructing large structures.

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Many different types of cranes have been developed to meet specific needs of given
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projects, because they are vital to building so many different structures. A crane’s
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machinery will be different depending on the (877-629-5438)
kind of lift it’s designed to execute. This
guide will introduce a few of the many kinds of construction cranes available and a bit
about which type of project they are most helpful for. 
Static cranes and mobile cranes ‌

The many types of construction cranes can be broken down into two basic categories:
static and mobile. 

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Static cranes:
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In any case, these are designed to stay in a single spot for the duration of construction. 
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Mobile cranes: (tel:877-629-5438)

As the name implies, these cranes are designed to move about the jobsite during a
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construction project.
These are intended to be used to move things from one place to another quickly and
easily.‌
What Are Static Cranes? 

Static cranes are used mostly for long-term construction projects or are intended to be
permanently installed on a jobsite.
Static Cranes:
Are designed to lift and move heavy loads along a preset path
Are designed to accomplish pre-planned tasks
Perform the task they are designed for very well but offer little flexibility on the job.
There are several types of static construction cranes, each designed to meet different
needs.

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Tower Cranes  (877-629-5438)
Tower cranes (https://www.maximcrane.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-

about-tower-cranes/) are perhaps the most widely recognized type of crane for
construction, if for no other reason than they are hard to miss. Often quite large, their
crane towers stand tall in the middle of construction sites for all the world to see. 
Tower cranes are made up of the tower, or mast, and the jib, the arm that extends out from
the mast. The jib can move a full 360° around the mast, with a trolley that runs up and
down the full length of the jib, allowing the block hook to be lowered to the
correct location. 
Static cranes are the type most often used to build large structures over a longer timeline.
They’re commonly used in urban areas where space is limited and the public is rarely far
away. Their stability provides an extra layer of safety for both those who work at the sight
and those outside the fencing. 
They are powerful and capable of lifting large weights very high if necessary, but they are
limited to a single area. While they do extend and rotate, there is still a limit to their range
of motion.
There are three primary types of tower cranes, including:
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Hammerhead Cranes  
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Hammerhead cranes resemble an upside-down L, with the jib remaining at a set level. The
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jib can usually rotate but cannot be raised
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loading docks where many cranes may be operating simultaneously at various levels. They
are also used in situations where space may be limited, like inside a structure or at
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particularly tight construction sites. 
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There are two basic designs for tower cranes: the A-frame, and the flat top.
The A-frame:
Uses a metal structure to connect cables from the jib to the counter jib, a short but has
a heavily weighted structure behind the jib
This is used for leverage and allows this type of tower crane to lift heavier weights.
The flat-top:
Has no additional structures above the tower and is used for lifting lighter weights
Luffing Jib Crane 

The luffing jib type of tower crane is very similar in structure to the hammerhead but has
one major difference. The jib can be raised and lowered on luffing jib construction cranes.
This design gives them added flexibility while allowing them to lift heavier weights. 
The luffing crane is more expensive than the hammerhead, but can be more efficient
with a smaller rotation radius, allowing it to be used in tighter construction sites. It can
also be used where multiple cranes are operating at the same time. 
Self-Erecting Cranes 
Relatively speaking,
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They are designed to be easily set up and dismantled.
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Self-erecting cranes are ideal for working in tight spaces or for shorter-term construction
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jobs. Their major shortcoming, however,GET
is that they cannot lift as much weight as the
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other types of tower cranes. 
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Level Luffing Cranes  877-MAX-LIFT (tel:877-629-5438)
Similar in appearance and function to the tower luffing cranes, the level luffing cranes have
one major difference — they do not have trolleys that run along the jib. Instead, the hook
block is fixed at the end of the jib, and the jib itself moves up and down to move the load.
This design allows the load to stay level while being lifted. 
This type of construction crane is most often used for shipbuilding and loading and
unloading freight. 
What are mobile cranes? 

Mobile cranes (https://scarlet-tech.com/2020/07/28/top-8-popular-crane-types-for-
construction-industry/) can be moved around a construction site or even from site to
site as needed. They are usually mounted on trucks but can also be found on railcars and
boats, and are usually outfitted with outriggers to prevent them from tipping over while
the crane is lifting. 
Mobile cranes:
Are meant for temporary use in any given area
Most consist of a single lifting arm that can be raised or lowered
Frequently feature a telescoping arm to allow the crane to reach higher places

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Rough-terrain crane
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All-terrain crane
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Vehicle mounted crane
Carry deck crane (tel:877-629-5438)

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Crawler Crane 
The crawler crane (https://www.maximcrane.com/blog/how-crawler-cranes-do-the-
heavy-lifting/) is mounted on a large heavy vehicle with treads, similar to those a tank
uses. These treads give them the ability to move over soft, rough, or marshy ground, which
heavy trucks with wheels would likely get stuck in. They are frequently used at the
beginning of construction projects when the ground is freshly torn up. 
Their
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Rough-Terrain Cranes 
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Similar in function to the crawler, the rough-terrain cranes Chat with us
(https://www.maximcrane.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-rough-
terrain-cranes/) are designed to traverse

GETdifficult
A QUOTE ground conditions. However, they are
smaller and lighter, which allows them to be used in tighter spaces than the
crawlers. These cranes are not as powerful or stable, so they cannot handle lifting as much
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weight. 
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All-Terrain Cranes 
All-terrain cranes (https://www.maximcrane.com/blog/all-about-all-terrain-cranes/)
are similar to the rough terrain type except that they can be driven on the road. This
means that they can easily move from one construction site to another in addition to
being able to traverse most ground types. 
The cranes are mounted on trucks with anywhere from 6 to 18 wheels and can lift
substantially larger weights than rough-terrain cranes. To accomplish this, some
assembly may be required at the worksite — including installing the outriggers and boom
weights.
Vehicle Mounted Cranes 

These cranes offer great flexibility at a relatively low cost. These vehicles don’t need to be
hauled to and from job sites and are safe for traveling on public roads. This makes them
ideal for construction companies that may not require heavy lifting and have multiple
projects at the same time.
These cranes may also be called a boom truck

(https://www.maximcrane.com/blog/advantages-of-getting-a-boom-truck-for-
rent/), a truck crane, or a truck mounted crane (TMC).

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lift as much as 110 tons if the outriggers are properly employed. 
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Carry DeckAccept
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These are the smallest of the types of cranes for construction. They areChat
simple
withinusdesign,
with a crane mounted on a four-wheel deck.

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Carry deck cranes (https://www.maximcrane.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-
know-about-carry-deck-cranes/) are primarily used to move objects from one area to
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another within a construction site. They can only handle weights of up to 25 tons, which
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they load onto their deck and haul away.  (877-629-5438)
The Right Crane for the Job. 

As you can see, there are a great many options to choose from when considering a crane
for your construction (https://www.maximcrane.com/how-to-choose-the-right-
crane-for-your-project/) projects. Knowing exactly what your needs will be before you
begin your hunt for the right crane can help you save yourself a lot of stress and money
down the line. 
If you have a long-term project or one that requires a lot of upward building, such as a
high-rise, then a static crane may be the right choice. If you’re doing construction on
newly broken ground, a mobile crane may be a better choice, especially one that can
handle rough terrains like the crawler or all-terrain. 
When your project is on the smaller side or if you will need the cranes at multiple sites,
you should choose one that can travel the roads. While they’re designed for lighter loads,
they make up for this in their flexibility and ease of transport. 
Remember, we’re here to support you as your perfect partner. We have one of the largest,
most modern fleets of cranes and other lifting equipment for sale or rent, and our staff is
always ready and happy to help you. We will make sure you get the right equipment for
the job (https://www.maximcrane.com/blog/how-to-choose-the-right-crane-for-
your-project/) — regardless of how large or small the lift might be. 
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10/26/22, 5:45 PM 10 Common Types Of Cranes For Construction | Maxim Crane

Guide to Types of Cranes for Construction

We use cookies to improve user experience and analyze

building or deconstructing large structures.

Static cranes and mobile cranes ‌

We use cookies to improve user experience and analyze

Cookie Settings Accept

We use cookies to improve user experience and analyze

Cookie Settings Accept

Mobile cranes: (tel:877-629-5438)

What Are Static Cranes?

Are designed to accomplish pre-planned tasks

We use cookies to improve user experience and analyze

Cookie Settings Accept

Tower cranes (https://www.maximcrane.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-

There are three primary types of tower cranes, including:

Luffing Jib Crane

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What are mobile cranes?

Are meant for temporary use in any given area

Most consist of a single lifting arm that can be raised or lowered

Frequently feature a telescoping arm to allow the crane to reach higher places

Carry deck crane (tel:877-629-5438)

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terrain-cranes/) are designed to traverse

Vehicle Mounted Cranes

These cranes may also be called a boom truck

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with a crane mounted on a four-wheel deck.

The Right Crane for the Job.

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How to Purchase a Quality Used Crane for Sale — 4 Big

READ MORE » (HTTPS://WWW.MAXIMCRANE.COM/BLOG/HOW-TO-PURCHASE-A-QUALITY-USED-CRANE-FOR-

Crane Rental Options—Bare Rental vs. Operated & Maintained

Inquiry or give us a call.

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Explore Maxim Crane

Heavy Rigging Equipment

Counter-Balance Crane Beams

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You might also like

What Are Static Cranes? 

Luffing Jib Crane 

What are mobile cranes? 

Vehicle Mounted Cranes 

The Right Crane for the Job. 