Whenever you walk into a construction site, the first and most prominent machinery you will find is a crane. Without a crane, you cannot complete any major construction project. We generally do not detail the machinery, but different cranes are used for different purposes. They are designed and manufactured according to the purpose they are going to be used for. The designs and features of different types of cranes allow us to work anywhere. Whether it is a new multi-story commercial structure or in a middle of a sea, the process used for construction is simplified with the use of the proper crane selection.
This article provides you with an understanding of the different types of cranes used in the construction processes. How they differ in appearance and function, and if you or your company needs any crane for a construction purpose, you may know which one you want for your job.
Any crane can be categorized under these two groups.
- Static Cranes
- Mobile Cranes
Static Cranes
Static cranes are those which are permanent or semipermanent fixed to the ground. These cranes can move along a fixed pattern.
Mobile Cranes
Mobile cranes are mounted on wheels or treads and are moved to the job site where needed. The mobile cranes can operate on a pick and carry system in which it lifts and carried heavy objects from one place to another.
Types of Static Cranes
Overhead Crane

These cranes are also known as the suspended cranes. These cranes can lift hefty loads and are used in factories or outdoor manufacturing units. The hoist is placed on a trolley that moves on one side along a beam.
Tower Cranes

These are some of the mainly used cranes nowadays. These are the modern form of balance cranes. These static cranes are fixed to the ground or attached to the side of structures and can be seen in tall buildings. The design of these cranes offers the best function for height lifting capabilities. Usually, 20 tons of weight can be lifted using these cranes, enabling you to work up to 256 feet in height. The operators use radio signals to load or unload equipment.
Level Luffing Cranes

These cranes have a hinged jib that moves up and down to load or unload ships. The hook remains stationary. The movement of the jib requires careful control, especially near the ground.
Types of Mobile Cranes
Crawler cranes
The crawler cranes move with the help of tracks or crawlers. Due to its tracks, it can move on any surface and can be used on any soil.
Rough Terrain Cranes

These cranes are usually on four rubber tires that are perfect for use in off-road applications. The outriggers stabilize the crane during the work. The same engine runs the undercarriage and crane. A regular vehicle-mounted crane does not work in off-road constructions; rough terrain cranes are the best option.
All-Rerrain Cranes

All-terrain cranes have more wheels than rough terrain cranes, and that is why you can use them on public roads as well. Moreover, it can travel on both kinds of tracks, i.e.off road and public roads with the same speed.
Truck-Mounted Cranes
These cranes are mounted on rubber tires trucks which increases the mobility of the crane. The outriggers provide stability to the truck and can extend the crane vertically or horizontally. The truck cranes have the advantage of transporting themselves anywhere without the need for any other vehicle or transportation equipment. They can move on highways quickly and reduce the cost of transportation. They can be rotated up to 180 or 360 degrees depending upon the design of the crane. Different versions and models of truck-mounted cranes are available in the market. These cranes are also used for the building of bridges and their maintenance.
Carry Deck Cranes
The pick and carry cranes of older models evolved into carrying deck cranes. These are small four-wheeled cranes that can rotate 360 degrees and are pretty portable. The small-sized allows them to be helpful in confined spaces, making them very effective at job sites.
Floating Crane

It is also named a crane vessel or crane ship. These cranes are used in offshore construction and projects at ports, sea or oil rigs. They are also used to unload or load ships. Moreover, sunken ships are also lifted by using these cranes. These cranes are generally of enormous capacity, i.e., 9000 tons. Floating cranes have been helping man since the middle ages to perform complex tasks and projects at sea. The floating cranes are of many types depending upon the type of operation they are designed to perform. Sheerle and semi-submersible are some forms of floating cranes.
Dependable Crane Services
If you’re searching for a crane service near me in greater Sacramento, give us a call to see how we can help with your next project. You’ll find that Dependable Crane services are second to none. They have truck-mounted cranes with the capacity of 22 tons, 40 tons, and 75 tons. Some of our services include:
- complete lifting
- construction and erection
- lift planning
- HVAC
- Cell tower installations
- Hoisting services
- Residential crane services
- Commercial crane rentals
With excellent customer service, qualified and experienced staff, the best quality equipment ensuring safety, Dependable’s cranes are an excellent choice for your next lifting project. You might be thinking about how much does it cost to rent a crane? The overall cost depends upon several factors like the type of crane, the service you acquire, location, time etc. Generally, small mobile cranes can cost $200 per day, large operating cranes may be near $1000 per day.
Conclusion
This article provides you with a basic understanding of different cranes, features, and capabilities. You have to select the type of crane that best fits your job. Every type of crane is designed for its unique utility and function. Understanding the unique project specifications is of the up-most importance when selecting the proper crane for your next project. Select a company with good experience and properly trained staff. Learn more about our unique selection of rental cranes in Sacramento.