Common Types Of Cranes Used For Construction

Hiring the right crane can determine the success of your construction project. More importantly, choosing the right one keeps your team safe, maximises efficiency, and helps keep costs controlled.

Construction projects across Melbourne, Geelong, and just about anywhere in Victoria often require specific crane solutions depending on the load, height, and site access requirements.

Hence, this guide will help you understand the common types of cranes we offer, their typical applications, and which one is best suited for your project.

Mobile Cranes (All Terrain Cranes)

Mobile cranes are cranes mounted on a truck chassis, designed to travel on public roads and operate on uneven or unprepared ground. They are perfect for projects where lifting needs to happen across multiple sites.

Key Features:

Drive on public roads for easy relocation between job sites
Operate on rough or uneven terrain without extra equipment
High lifting capacities with reach options for medium-to-large-scale jobs

Capacity Range: Our mobile crane fleet ranges from 20t to 250t, including common lifts of 40t, 60t, 100t, 130t, 200t, 220t, 230t, and 250t.

Best Suited For:

Short-term jobs
Infrastructure projects
Multi-site construction requiring frequent relocation

Important note: Avoid them for jobs in rough, off-terrain locations.

When to Choose?

Opt for a mobile crane when you need to lift something quickly and require utmost mobility, especially on urban or multi-site jobs.

Franna Cranes (Pick and Carry Cranes)

Originating in Australia, franna cranes are pick-and-carry cranes designed for moving loads across short distances without outriggers. They combine lifting and transportation in one compact crane, making them ideal for constrained spaces.

Key Features:

Can carry loads while moving
No outriggers required
Highly maneuverable in tight sites

Available Sizes: 20t and 25t

Best Suited For:

Confined construction sites
Workshops, warehouses, and transport depots
Low headroom areas where space is limited

Important note: Limit use to firm, flat surfaces only. Avoid soft, uneven, or undulating ground, as the lack of outriggers increases overturning risk and reduces safe lifting capacity.

How does it compare to Mobile Cranes?

Franna cranes sacrifice some lifting capacity for mobility and compactness, making them perfect when site access is a priority.

Rough Terrain Cranes

Rough terrain cranes are specially built for uneven, dangerous, or off-road surfaces. Unlike mobile cranes, they cannot travel on public roads under their own power, but they excel in challenging terrain. They’re designed to bridge franna cranes and crawlers (extreme terrain cranes), prioritising 4WD agility over road travel.

Key Features:

Superior stability and off-road capability
Typically transported to the site on a truck or trailer
Strong lifting performance on soft or uneven ground

Best Suited For:

Remote construction, mining projects, and undeveloped land
Early-stage construction projects
Industrial maintenance works

Available Sizes: 35t to 130t capacities

Important note: Reserve for moderately uneven sites with good access. While more stable than franna cranes, they still need firm ground for outriggers.

When to Choose?

Select a rough terrain crane for projects where off-road mobility is more important than self-driving on public roads.

Crane Trucks (Truck-Mounted Cranes)

Just as its name suggests, a crane truck combines a truck and a crane in one machine. They provide both transportation and lifting capabilities. These cranes are ideal for smaller projects where speed and cost control matter. With a single operator and vehicle, crane trucks effectively reduce labour and transportation costs, making them well-suited for simple palms across Melbourne and Geelong.

Key Features:

Lift and carry materials (without the need for any additional vehicles)
Easy to operate and set up
Flexible and portable for use within urban environments

Best Suited For:

Delivering and placing construction materials
Installing portable building materials and machinery
Short-distance lifts across multiple locations

Available Sizes: 10t to 30t
Important note: Best for urban/paved sites with good road access. Due to their limited off-road ability and lower capacities, they’re unsuitable for rough terrain or heavy lifts over 30t.

When to Choose?

Choose a crane truck when your project necessitates a quick, straightforward lift on flat, urban sites with good highway access.

How to Choose the Right Crane for Your Construction Job

Here are a few key factors to consider:

Determine the load weight and height. This will narrow down your options between mobile, franna, rough terrain, or crane trucks.
Determine site access and ground conditions. For instance, a Franna crane will excel in tight spaces while a rough terrrain crane works best in rough terrain.
Determine the distance between lifts or job sites. For example, mobile cranes are ideal for multiple sites due to their road mobility, whereas rough terrain cranes need transport to move.
Determine the number of lifts. Projects with frequent or repeated lifts may benefit from cranes with faster setup and higher efficiency.

Quick Tip: Not sure which crane is right for your project? Use our Crane Capacity Calculator to estimate the perfect crane for your lift, helping you plan safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively.

Contact Quinlan Cranes for a Quote

Proudly serving Melbourne, Geelong, and all of Victoria, our extensive fleet of cranes is ready to meet your project requirements. With 24/7 availability, urgent hire options, ISO-accredited safety standards, and a team of experienced operators, you can rely on us to make your crane hire experience smooth and hassle-free.

Whether your project requires a mobile crane, franna crane, rough terrain crane, or truck-mounted crane, our experts can help you select the right equipment and provide professional, reliable service every step of the way.