Guides
Renting a mobile crane: look at radius, not just tons
Before renting a mobile crane, look at radius, not just tons, a simple guide to load charts, sites and lift planning.
16 September 20261 min read
A "25-ton crane" does not lift 25 tons in every position. That figure is its maximum at a very short radius. The further away the load, the less it can lift.
Three facts to choose a crane
- The load's weight, including hook, slings and rigging
- Distance from the crane's centre to where the load goes (radius)
- How high the load needs to go
With those three, the crane's load chart shows which crane can do the job with a safe margin.
What the site needs
- Flat, firm ground where the outriggers can fully extend
- Room for the crane and load to swing
- No overhead power lines close by
Mobile or crawler?
A mobile crane arrives and leaves quickly, ideal for short, single-day lifts. A crawler crane is steadier for very heavy, long-running work.
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