Combining the strength and lifting capacity of a crane with the mobility and accessibility of a truck, truck-mounted mobile cranes are incredibly versatile and a mainstay of many industries that keep the world turning.
Coming in a wide range of sizes and able to be adapted to fulfil specific purposes, crane trucks are suitable for practically all situations where a load needs to be mounted and transported.
Join us as we explore 10 industries around the world that rely on truck-mounted mobile cranes and crane trucks.
1. Construction Industry
Starting off, it should come as no surprise that construction sites make heavy use of this versatile machine. Used for its heavy material lifting capacity, the larger models of crane trucks are perfectly suited to hauling and erecting steel beams, delivering pallets of bricks, or transporting and lifting into place prefabricated timber frames.
They are also suitable for transporting modular buildings and delivering frames and trusses to residential construction sites. They can also be a real asset at the start of high-rise construction projects.
2. Logistics & Transportation
Logistics and transportation is another obvious contender for industries that benefit from crane trucks. Depending on the lifting capacity of the crane and the volume of the truck bed, a truck-mounted crane makes a valuable addition to cargo handling and loading and unloading procedures. Truck-mounted cranes excel in situations where time is of the essence, such as in port operations or rail loading and unloading.
3. Utilities & Infrastructure
One of the primary benefits of crane trucks is that everything you need can be found on a single vehicle. Utility and infrastructure building and maintenance stand to benefit from the ability to transport materials and lift them to the desired location with only one vehicle of the fleet, especially in rural areas. Additionally, truck-mounted cranes can help with power line installation, bridge maintenance, and pipeline projects, among other infrastructure development.
4. Oil & Gas Industry
The oil and gas industry uses crane trucks to assist with their drilling rig set-up as well as to transport other vital equipment to environments that are often remote and challenging to access and operate in. The chassis of a truck intending to carry a rough terrain crane can be fitted with stabilising technology to be able to lift heavy loads in difficult situations.
5. Mining Operations
The oil and gas mining industry makes heavy use of crane trucks to relocate heavy machinery, transport materials, and to resupply the mines with spare parts and extraction equipment. An all-terrain crane stabilised to ensure safe heavy lifting can provide essential equipment to the remote site. With trained operators, even the complex tasks of resupply and material handling are made simple and importantly, safe, with the addition of a truck-mounted crane.
6. Emergency & Disaster Response
The manoeuvrability and ability to enter tight spaces makes crane trucks an invaluable asset in emergency and disaster recovery. It excels at debris removal, such as lifting fallen trees or collecting rubble in post-earthquake recovery. However, the truck-mounted crane is also effective during rescue operations, able to bring in and unload supplies and disaster relief. Finally, it is also an efficient way to transport and place flood barriers or sandbags.
7. Rail Industry
The rail industry benefits from crane trucks when it comes to track repair and rail line management. Tracks and sleepers can both be lifted into place with operational efficiency. Given the truck’s manoeuvrability, there are very few places along a rail line that will be inaccessible to a truck-mounted crane. As well as track repair, these cranes can also assist with bridge construction and tunnel building. The largest cranes with a high lifting capacity can even lift heavy equipment or help in emergencies, such as repositioning derailed train cars.
8. Agriculture & Forestry
Crane trucks are a common sight in rural areas where agriculture and forestry are major industries. Perfectly suited for lifting heavy logs in remote areas, the mobile lifting equipment can also handle the heavy loads required when transporting irrigation system placement, agronomy supplies, and equipment transport.
9. Manufacturing & Warehousing
Machinery relocation, warehouse logistics, and assembly line support are just some of the manufacturing and warehouse storage uses that crane trucks can be put to. The versatility of mobile crane operations means that bulky and space-consuming container cranes, loader cranes, and overhead cranes are not required. The truck-mounted crane is also effective at transporting and installing industrial presses, conveyors, and other factory equipment.
10. Aviation & Aerospace
The lifting capability of the heavier truck-mounted cranes makes them ideal for use in securely transporting the parts and equipment used in aircraft maintenance, satellite transport, and for rocket assembly. These tasks are typically conducted in large hangars, where the agility of trucks can deliver the cargo exactly where it needs to go, as well as lift it safely and securely into place.
Frequently Asked Questions
What industry are cranes in?
Cranes are used in many industries to move and transport heavy loads, including construction, natural resources, logistics, manufacturing and disaster response.
What is a truck-mounted crane used for?
A truck-mounted crane is used to load and unload cargo, equipment, or resources from the site to the truck’s bed and vice versa.
What are the applications of cranes in industry?
Cranes have wide applications in lifting large and heavy materials for construction companies, large scale infrastructure projects, and other various industries.
Who uses crane trucks?
Many industries require the logistics of safe and reliable transport and delivery. This is where crane trucks come in, with their ability to lift heavy loads safely and reliably.
Where to Find Australia’s Best Truck-Mounted Cranes
Crane trucks are incredibly versatile machines, used in a wide range of industries for transporting materials and quickly allowing crane operators to load and unload in one smooth process.
From construction and logistics to aviation and agriculture, truck-mounted cranes have found a special place as one of the most versatile and reliable ways to move heavy materials from one place to another.
Do you need a truck-mounted crane for your industry? Contact the expert team at HMF Australia today to find out how we can help you find the right crane on the right truck for your industry!