When a mobile crane is the right tool
Mobile cranes drive to the site, set up on outriggers, and are usually rented by the hour or day with an operator. They suit loads too heavy or too far away for a boom truck: large rooftop units, generators and transformers, structural steel, precast, trusses on larger buildings, and equipment sets.
Common types
- Hydraulic truck cranes — road-legal and quick to set up; a common choice for one-day commercial lifts.
- All-terrain cranes — larger capacity and reach; heavier configurations may need extra trucks to bring counterweight, which affects cost and setup time.
- Rough-terrain cranes — for rugged construction sites, usually transported to the site and kept there for longer durations.
- Carry-deck / industrial cranes — compact cranes for plants and tight areas that can carry loads short distances.
Sizing is about radius, not just weight
A crane’s rated capacity drops sharply as the load moves farther from the crane. A crane with a large “headline” tonnage may only lift a small fraction of that at the radius your job needs. That’s why the provider will ask where the crane can set up and where the load lands — share a site plan or photos if you can.
What to have ready when you request a quote
Crane companies price a lift from a handful of facts. The more of these you can share, the faster and more accurate your quote:
- The load: what it is, approximate weight, and dimensions. Spec sheets or submittals for HVAC units, generators, or machinery are ideal.
- The pick and set points: where the crane can park, how far horizontally the load has to travel (radius), and how high it needs to go.
- Site conditions: ground surface (paved, compacted, soft dirt), slopes, overhead power lines, trees, and whether the crane would sit on a street or sidewalk.
- Timing: date, start time, and whether the work must happen early morning, at night, or on a weekend.
- Rigging: whether you have rigging and a qualified rigger and signal person, or need the crane company to supply them.
Safety and compliance basics
On construction sites, federal OSHA rules for cranes (29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC) require, among other things, a certified or qualified operator, qualified riggers and signal persons, ground conditions that can support the crane, and specific clearances from energized power lines. In Arizona, workplace safety is administered by ADOSH, which adopts these standards. A reputable crane company will ask about these items up front — that’s a good sign, not red tape.
Lifts that are heavy relative to the crane’s capacity, over occupied areas, or involve multiple cranes often require a written lift plan. Lifts from a public street or sidewalk usually need a right-of-way or street-use permit from the city; the crane company or your general contractor can typically advise on who pulls it.
How it works
- Tell us about the lift using the quote form: the load, the reach, the site, and your date.
- We line up the right crew from the vetted, licensed and insured local crane companies we work with — one that handles that type and size of lift in your area.
- You get taken care of The crane company reaches out promptly, usually the same business day, to confirm details, schedule, and quote. You work directly with them, and there’s no fee to you.
