Boom trucks and cranes are not the same. While both are important for a construction site, each has its own uses. Anyone looking to rent either should know the differences between boom trucks and cranes. This way, you’ll know which to use for your next construction project.
Boom Trucks
Boom trucks are great for lift jobs. They’re able to lift anywhere from a few tons to 54 tons. They are a practical choice due to their maneuverability around the job site. This is because they drive like regular trucks. Operators can lift cargo with precision not found in other machines. Boom trucks are also faster and better at stacking objects than larger vehicles. Unlike a crane, boom trucks do not have counterweights. Additionally, some boom trucks, such as cherry pickers, use a loading basket to lift workers to inaccessible heights. This is important for certain jobs, such as maintenance work.
Cranes
Cranes are great for heavy lifting jobs, as they are more stable than boom trucks. Cranes use chains, cables, ropes, and a winder to move heavy materials, and they can be either fixed or mobile. Fixed cranes are typically found in industrial facilities. To better understand how boom trucks and cranes differ, it is important to know how cranes can also differ.
All-Terrain
All-terrain cranes are ideal for almost any project. They work on all types of land, no matter the weather and environmental conditions. Heights and load weights can be adjusted on the spot.
Crawler
Crawler cranes move on crawler tracks. This cabling provides for considerably powerful lifts—they can even lift hundreds of tons. This makes crawler cranes the ideal choice for any large construction project.
Conventional Truck
These are the standard crane for any project due to their adaptability and portability. You can transport conventional trucks on highways with no issues. They are typically used for lifting basic materials, such as concrete or steel, quickly and efficiently. You can adjust them according to height, weight, and load size. Unlike boom trucks, conventional trucks can lift over 1,000 tons.
Rough Terrain
These cranes are designed for a construction project’s early stages. They travel on rough terrain with large wheels. Whereas boom trucks can move independently, you must use a heavy haul trailer to transport rough terrain cranes.
Hydraulic
Like boom trucks, these cranes are road legal and fast. As their name suggests, they use a hydraulic boom rather than a lattice boom to lift heavy loads. This means liquid pumps and pistons operate against counterbalances to lift large amounts of weight.
No matter which type of heavy equipment you’re looking for, we at NessCampbell Crane + Rigging have it all. We are known for our exceptional crane service in Portland, Oregon. Check out our crane and truck fleets for any construction job.
