Crane Truck Hire Rates Explained

At Quinlan Cranes, crane truck hire in Melbourne is priced by the hour with a minimum call out. After that the price is then adjusted for lifting capacity, hire length and travel distance.

While it’s difficult to estimate an accurate figure without project details, most standard truck hires typically tend to range from $260 to $380 per hour for typical jobs.

However, this is only a ballpark figure. The final cost depends on factors such as the truck’s lifting capacity, site access, project duration, travel distance, and whether an operator, rigging gear or permits are required. For example, smaller trucks generally cost less, while larger trucks for heavy or complex lifts can cost significantly more.

Please note, at Quinlan Cranes, we specialise exclusively in crane trucks, road trucks, mobile cranes and Frannas. We do not cover furniture vans or DIY moving trucks.

For more information about our services, explore our crane truck hire and general road truck hire options.

Seeking a quote tailored to your project? Reach out to our expert team today at Quinlane Cranes to discuss your crane truck hire needs.

What Truck Hire Costs in Melbourne? Rates at a Glance

The cheapest truck hire option in Melbourne is generally a crane truck, with lifting capacity from around 10 tonnes and charged on an hourly basis with a minimum call out.

All other crane types including mobile cranes and Frannas, are priced similarly by the hour. However the price tends to become higher with capacity, complexity and travel.

For an exact quote, contact us with your load weight, pick and set distances and site conditions.

What Drives the Cost of Crane Truck Hire

1. Lifting capacity and truck size

A 12.5 tonne crane truck costs more per hour than a 10 tonne unit because it carries a bigger boom, heavier outriggers and more complex hydraulics to handle larger loads.For small crane hire Melbourne jobs on tight suburban sites, a crane truck or small Franna often suits better than a large mobile crane, saving on both hourly rate and setup time. Use our crane calculator to size the lift before you call.

2. Hire duration

Crane truck hire is charged by the hour with a minimum call out.

Short, predictable lifts under the minimum still incur the full call out. In many cases, a full day rate becomes cheaper than paying by the hour once you’re beyond 6 to 7 hours on site.

3. Location

Location matters, that’s why jobs in outer suburbs or regional Victoria attract travel and mobilisation charges on top of the hourly rate. The further your locations are from our service hubs, the more travel time and fuel factor into your quote.

4. Operator, permits and site access

All Quinlan crane trucks are wet hired with a qualified operator, so you don’t need to provide your own driver or crane licence.

Any road occupation permits or traffic management requirements are separate from the crane hire and may need to be arranged for your job.

Our operators hold the required Victorian high risk work licences and certifications, helping ensure your lift is carried out safely and in line with WorkSafe Victoria requirements.

Common Mistakes That Push Truck Hire Costs Up

The fastest way to blow your budget is to under declare load weight, book the wrong crane type, leave permits to the last minute, or arrive on site without confirming access.

Avoid these pitfalls by running your lift details through a proper checklist before you book. Our 5 point checklist for hiring the right mobile crane will help you book once and get it right.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance should you book truck hire in Melbourne?

For most metro jobs, booking 1 to 2 weeks ahead is ideal, especially during peak construction periods (spring to early summer). Availability and travel charges will depend on current workload and your location. Contact us to lock in your hire as soon as your lift plan is confirmed.

Which company offers the cheapest crane truck hire in Melbourne?

The company advertising the cheapest hourly rate isn’t always the cheapest once the job is done.

A low hourly rate can quickly add up if the job takes longer than expected due to extra travel, the wrong crane or poor site planning. At Quinlan Cranes, we focus on the total job cost and use experienced operators to keep your lift running efficiently, so you pay for productive lifting time, not unnecessary delays.

What is the difference between a crane truck and a mobile crane

A crane truck is a truck with a crane built on it. So, it can transport and lift materials in one trip. They’re ideal for smaller or tighter sites.

A mobile crane is a larger crane designed mainly for lifting. It can usually lift heavier loads and reach further than a crane truck.

For more on crane types and when to use each, see our guides on common types of cranes used for construction.