The deck height of a low loader crane typically ranges from 18 inches (45 cm) to 36 inches (90 cm). A lower deck height (18-24 inches) is ideal for low-profile loads, while a height of 30-36 inches is used for heavier, bulkier items.

Standard Deck Height Range

The deck height of the crane is the most vital thing that a low loader crane possesses for determining its capacity to move huge machinery and heavy equipment safely. Low loader cranes are typically designed to have deck height ranging from 18 to 36 inches (45 to 90 cm). This variation in height significantly affects the type of load the crane can carry and how efficiently and safely these loads can be transported. For example, a low loader with a deck height of 18 inches is suitable for carrying small loads that do not require much clearance, such as small construction equipment or compact machinery. By contrast, a deck height of 36 inches is suitable for heavier and bulkier cargo transportation, such as industrial equipment or oversized vehicles, since it gives the required height of lift with consideration for the stability and capacity of the crane.

The deck height will also affect the way the crane handles the center of gravity of the load. The low height of the decks, typically 18-24 inches, is usually used in carrying heavy but relatively low-profile cargoes. Examples include equipment such as a skid-steer loader or backhoe, where weight is lower in the vehicle and keeping a low center of gravity is critical for safe transport. For example, a crane with an 18-inch deck height may be able to safely carry equipment weighing up to 30 tons, whereas a crane with a higher deck height of 30 inches may be better suited for loads weighing 40 tons or more. These design choices are many times dictated by the need to ensure that the crane can operate within road clearance limits while also meeting the required load-bearing capacity.

Deck height becomes critical, where taller loads are handled to avoid the load from surpassing transportation limits. For instance, a low loader crane would have a deck height of 24 inches and would normally carry items such as bulldozers, with heights of up to 10 feet, or 3 meters. Higher deck heights, closer to 36 inches, are used when carrying more compact yet heavy equipment, such as very large generators or transformers that have a much shorter vertical dimension yet are bulky and heavy. The right deck height will ensure that the operators keep the loads within the permissible height restrictions, while the crane is not damaged or tipped over by the weight.