What are all terrain cranes and why do you need them?
Choosing the Right Crane for Your Project.
At Quinlan Cranes, we provide All Terrain crane hire across Melbourne and Geelong. Combining road mobility with serious lifting capacity, All Terrain cranes are suited to demanding construction and industrial projects where flexibility matters.
But they’re not the right choice for every project. Rough terrain, franna and telehandler cranes each have their own advantages, and the best option depends on your site conditions, load requirements and how the crane needs to get there.
Need an All Terrain crane for your next project? Our Quinlan Cranes blog frequently covers what to consider when choosing the right crane for your site and lifting requirements. Get in touch with our friendly team today to discuss your project or request a quote.
What’s an All Terrain Crane?
All Terrain cranes are mobile cranes designed to combine road-going mobility with heavy lifting capability on challenging job sites. They’re particularly useful when a project requires travel between locations as well as lifting on uneven, unpaved or difficult ground.
Unlike cranes that are limited to sealed roads or prepared surfaces, All Terrain cranes can travel on public roads and then operate across a range of site conditions once they arrive. This makes them a practical choice for projects where access, terrain, lifting capacity and reach all need to be considered.
Key Features of an All Terrain Crane
- Telescopic boom: Provides significant lifting height and reach while allowing the crane to remain relatively compact during transport.
- Multi-axle mobility: Multiple axles help distribute the crane’s weight and provide stability while travelling between locations.
- Road-going capability: Designed to travel on public roads, reducing the need to transport the crane between every job site.
- High ground clearance: Helps the crane navigate uneven and challenging terrain at the work site.
- Strong lifting capacity: Suitable for a wide range of heavy lifting applications across construction and industrial projects.
- Long reach: Telescopic booms provide the height and horizontal reach needed for lifting materials into position across larger or more difficult sites.
What’s a Rough Terrain Crane?
Rough terrain cranes are designed for off-road lifting on uneven, soft or confined sites. They typically have a single cab and are built for manoeuvrability around challenging work areas rather than long distance road travel.
If your project involves difficult site conditions but doesn’t require the crane to travel between locations on public roads, a rough terrain crane may be a suitable option.
What’s the Difference Between a Rough Terrain and an All Terrain Crane?
| Feature | All Terrain Cranes | Rough-Terrain Cranes |
| Road travel | For road travel between sites | Transported between sites on a truck |
| Terrain | Handles roads and a range of off-road conditions | Built specifically for uneven, soft and off-road conditions |
| Lifting capacity | Available in a wide range of higher-capacity configurations | Suited to lifting requirements on smaller or more confined sites |
| Reach | Long telescopic boom options for greater reach | Telescopic boom provides strong reach for site-based lifting |
| Mobility | Combines road and site mobility | Highly manoeuvrable around challenging job sites |
| Transport | Can travel to the job under its own power | Requires a truck for transport between locations |
The Benefits of an All Terrain Crane
If you need to travel between sites under your own power, use public roads and still perform heavy lifts on unsealed or uneven ground, an All Terrain crane can offer a more efficient solution.
Signs You Need an All Terrain Crane
- Multiple Sites in One Job
- Limited Road Access
- Heavy Lifts
- Long Reach
- Wind Turbine Projects
- Large Construction Work
- Efficiency Across Multiple Moves
Hire a Melbourne All Terrain Crane Today
Quinlan Cranes provides All Terrain crane hire across Melbourne, Geelong and Victoria, with experienced operators and a fleet equipped for heavy lifting across a range of site conditions. With 24/7 availability, fast-tracked urgent hire options and ISO accredited safety standards, we make it easy to keep your project moving forward.
Allow our experts to help you select the right equipment and provide professional, reliable service every step of the way. Contact us to get started today.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does All Terrain crane hire cost?
Hire costs vary based on crane capacity, hire duration, wet or dry hire, and site conditions. Quinlan Cranes quotes each job individually. Contact our friendly team today for an accurate quote.
What should I consider before hiring an All Terrain crane?
Key factors include your load weight, lift radius and height, site access, ground conditions, travel distance to site, and whether you need a qualified operator (wet hire) or will supply your own (dry hire). At Quinlan Cranes, we can help you assess these details and match the right machine to your project.
Can All Terrain cranes be used in confined spaces?
No. All Terrain cranes are generally not suited to tight or confined spaces due to their size and large outrigger footprint. For restricted sites, specialised cranes may be a better option. For restricted sites, we recommend reaching out so we can help assist you in finding a specialised crane to serve as a better option.