A truck crane's size varies by type: small ones are 20-30 feet long, lifting 10-25 tons; medium cranes are 30-40 feet long, handling 25-75 tons; large models can reach 60 feet, lifting over 300 tons.

Small Truck Cranes

Small truck cranes are used in city areas for small tasks in construction or maintenance. Their compact size helps them get through and work around enclosed spaces with ease as their length is commonly in the range of 20 to 30 feet and width roughly measures from 8 to 10 feet. Most of them can bear a lifting capacity within 10 to 25 tons which is good enough to handle HVAC units or machineries of similar dimensions.

A landscaping company can use a small truck crane to set large trees in a garden. For such tasks, the boom length of 20 to 60 feet is enough. Generally, small truck cranes consume less fuel and are cheaper to operate than medium or large cranes; thus, they could be considered as a budget-friendly choice for short-term projects with rental rates that more often than not range from $500 to $1,000 per day.

Medium Lorry Cranes

Medium-duty cranes fill the gap between small and large models. They are that sweet spot that gives a perfect balance between capacity and mobility. They have an average span, 30 to 40 feet in length and 10 feet in width, being capable of heavier loads from 25 to 75 tons. Their boom length goes to usually up to 60 to 150 feet in general for more complex tasks such as raising steel beams or utility poles.

These cranes are very common in mid-sized construction projects. A roofing contractor could use a medium lorry crane to lift and place heavy roofing onto a multi-story building. Operation costs for this class of cranes range approximately between $1,500 to $3,000 per day, pending model and location. Their flexibility pertains to the extension ability with a smaller footprint, which is critical for a city construction site.

Large Truck Cranes

Large truck cranes are designed for heavy-duty tasks and industrial applications. These cranes can be as long as 40 to 60 feet and have the capacity to lift loads from 75 to over 300 tons. With boom lengths extending up to 300 feet, they are ideal for large-scale projects like bridge construction or wind turbine installation.

These would be used to construct a high-rise building, where one might want to lift enormous prefabricated concrete slabs or heavy steel sections possibly over 200 feet above grade. The larger types of these cranes can incorporate added features of telescoping booms with very precise, computer-controlled systems. Some rental costs can range as high as $5,000 to $10,000 per day, demonstrating their truly specialized capabilities.

While large truck cranes require more fuel, it consumes 10 to 20 gallons per hour; because they are very efficient in heavy loads, the timeline of projects is extremely shortened. Setting up one of these large cranes is much more involved; this can take several hours and often requires additional personnel, but the trade-off in lifting power and reach is worth it.