On job sites requiring heavy and long reach material handling, setting up or hiring a crane is a must have to get a job completed. Choosing the right crane system for the job is essential to get the work done as efficiently as possible.
In most circumstances there will be a couple of good crane options to choose from and this article will discuss the implementation of fixed or tower cranes vs mobile city cranes.
Each crane system has its own strengths and weaknesses for the specific types of lifting work and usually one will be more suited than the other.
If you are looking for a mobile crane hire in Sydney then Crane Kingz will likely be your first and only choice. We are an experienced, qualified and fully insured crane hire service backed by a Cranesafe certification. Give us a call anytime for free quotes and advice.
Characteristics of the mobile Crane
Benefits
- Little to no setup time, as it an all inclusive vehicle
- Can be easily moved and repositioned around the job site
- Can be hired short term rather than a longer term hire
- Can be used across more than one site under the same hire if needed
- Generally has a similar lifting capacity as smaller tower crane
- Can arrive on very short term notice and require no set-up time
- Good access into tight areas and rough terrain
downsides
- May not have the height reach of the tower crane in larger structures
- May not have the lifting capacity of a larger tower crane
- Needs to be planned to be available onsite
Characteristics of the tower crane
Benefits
- Larger tower cranes will have a far greater lifting capacity than a mobile crane
- Always on site to use when required without waiting time
- May have higher reach if mounted on an multiplex type structure
- Are usually set-up to cover the whole job site in one swing radius
Downsides
- Extra setup time adds to the cost
- usually a long term hire which adds to the cost
- can only be used on one jobsite at a time because it is fixed
When would a mobile all terrain crane be more suited to a hire?
For most jobs sites the most cost effective and time effective lifting options will be the mobile crane.
Unless the job site requires regular daily lifts spanning over weeks at a time or has extra high lifting requirements then the mobile crane is the go-to.
Short term lifts in construction or tree removal, boats for cleaning or maintenance, caravans for positioning or maintenance, cars, pools and spas or emergency scenarios all play into the hands of the mobile city crane for both time and cost efficiency.
When would a tower crane be more suited to a hire?
Tower cranes really are a bit more of a niche market in the sense they cater to a smaller and more specific type of task
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- Used on jobs that are beyond the reach of a mobile boom crane, like a tall apartment block or similiar
- Where regular lifting is required on a daily basis
