Moving heavy, oversized or awkward materials can be challenging when you do not have the right equipment. A standard truck may be suitable for many deliveries, but some loads need more than simple transportation. This is where a crane truck can make the job easier.
A crane truck combines a transport vehicle with a mounted hydraulic crane. It can carry heavy materials and use the crane to load and unload them at the job site. This makes crane trucks useful across construction, manufacturing, landscaping, infrastructure and other industries.
But what can you actually transport with a crane truck? Here are some of the most common loads.
1. Construction Materials
Construction projects regularly require the movement of heavy building materials. A crane truck can transport and position many items that would be difficult to load or unload manually.
Common construction materials include:
- Steel beams and columns
- Timber and structural materials
- Concrete products
- Bricks and blocks
- Roofing materials
- Scaffolding
- Pipes
- Building panels
- Formwork and construction equipment
The crane can lift materials directly from the truck and place them in a suitable location, helping reduce the need for separate lifting equipment.
2. Heavy Machinery and Equipment
Crane trucks are also useful for transporting machinery that is too heavy or awkward for manual handling.
Depending on the truck’s capacity, examples can include generators, compressors, pumps, industrial equipment, workshop machinery and other heavy units.
This can be particularly useful when machinery needs to be delivered to a location without a permanent loading dock or suitable lifting equipment.
3. Steel and Metal Products
Steel products can be heavy, long and difficult to handle. Crane trucks can transport various steel materials while providing lifting support at the delivery location.
Examples include steel beams, pipes, frames, plates and fabricated components.
For construction and fabrication businesses, using one vehicle for both transportation and lifting can simplify the delivery process.
4. Concrete Products
Concrete is heavy, so moving concrete products often requires specialised transport and lifting equipment.
Crane trucks may be used to transport items such as concrete pipes, barriers, precast components, slabs and other concrete products, subject to the truck’s lifting and carrying capacity.
The crane can help position these products closer to their final location, reducing unnecessary manual handling.
5. Landscaping Materials
Landscaping projects can involve materials that are difficult to move using ordinary vehicles. Crane trucks can transport and unload many landscaping products.
These may include:
- Large rocks and stones
- Paving materials
- Concrete garden products
- Timber
- Large pots and planters
- Soil and landscaping equipment
- Retaining wall materials
The ability to lift materials directly from the truck can be especially useful when access to the site is limited.
6. Large Pipes and Drainage Materials
Plumbing, drainage and civil construction projects often require long or heavy pipes to be transported to job sites.
A crane truck can carry suitable pipes and use its crane to assist with loading and unloading. This can help contractors position materials closer to where they are needed.
The exact load size and lifting method will depend on the crane truck being used and the site conditions.
7. Industrial Equipment
Factories, warehouses and commercial facilities may need large equipment transported between locations. Crane trucks can assist with deliveries involving machinery, production equipment and other heavy components.
They can also be useful during equipment installation or relocation when suitable lifting access is required.
For larger or particularly complex machinery moves, additional specialised equipment may still be necessary.
8. Agricultural and Rural Equipment
Crane trucks can also be used for transporting certain agricultural equipment and materials. Depending on the vehicle’s specifications, this may include pumps, machinery components, fencing materials, water tanks and other heavy items.
The crane provides an advantage when there is no forklift or fixed lifting equipment available at the destination.
9. Generators and Temporary Equipment
Generators, compressors and other temporary equipment are often moved between construction sites, events, commercial properties and industrial locations.
A crane truck can transport these units and assist with unloading them at the required position. This can make delivery more convenient, particularly at sites where access to lifting equipment is limited.
Why Use a Crane Truck?
The biggest advantage of a crane truck is that transportation and lifting can be combined into one service. Instead of arranging a separate truck and crane for some deliveries, one vehicle may be able to handle both tasks.
Other potential benefits include:
- Easier loading and unloading
- Reduced manual handling
- Efficient delivery of heavy materials
- Greater flexibility at different job sites
- Useful for locations without loading equipment
- Less need for multiple pieces of equipment
However, every load must be assessed according to its weight, dimensions, centre of gravity, lifting requirements and destination access.
Choose the Right Crane Truck for Your Load
Not every crane truck is suitable for every job. Before booking, consider the weight and dimensions of your load, required lifting distance, site access and where the material needs to be placed.
It is also important to provide accurate information about the load when requesting a quote. This allows the crane truck provider to determine whether the appropriate vehicle and crane capacity are available.
Final Thoughts
From construction materials and steel products to machinery, concrete, pipes and landscaping materials, crane trucks can transport a wide range of heavy and awkward loads.
Their ability to transport materials while also assisting with loading and unloading makes them a practical option for many commercial, construction and industrial projects. By choosing the right crane truck for the load and site conditions, businesses can make heavy deliveries more organised and efficient.
