When looking at different types of cranes, it can be difficult to figure out exactly what vehicle you need for your construction project. It’s important to rent from a company like AME that has a proven track record of experience in many different areas of industrial contracting. Additionally, AME has knowledgeable staff that can help you look at options and determine which type of rental would be best for your construction project, time frame, and budget. Most cranes fall into three main categories: fixed cranes, mobile cranes, and specialty cranes. Within those categories are several types of vehicles and many different options and customizations. For example, fixed cranes might include tower cranes and bridge cranes. Mobile cranes could cover anything from small truck-mounted cranes to crawlers. And specialty cranes are for more unique job sites and include things like floating cranes or rough terrain machines. AME has a long history of helping clients meet their goals with a huge variety of construction projects. We prioritize safety for our crane operators as well as your crew, and we will explore options that fit your budget. Let AME staff guide you through our available machines to help you find the perfect crane for your needs.

Fixed Cranes: One of the most common types of cranes on any construction site are fixed cranes. These are typically larger machines that cannot be moved from one location to the next. They are often assembled on site and can only carry and move loads in a fixed, static path.

One example of a fixed crane is a tower crane. These are the large cranes that people normally imagine when picturing a building going up. They are assembled on site on a concrete foundation and rise as the building gets built higher and higher. At the end of a project, they are disassembled and taken away. Because of their enormous size, they can handle incredibly heavy loads.

Another example of a fixed type of crane is a bridge crane or overhead crane. These look like a bridge supported by two steel supports that straddle the workload, with the lifting mechanism traveling along the bridge on a fixed track. They are often used in industrial environments, to do work like lifting shipping containers from ships to shipyards. However, they can also be permanently installed over a workstation in a workshop or factory to move loads back and forth on a fixed path.

Mobile Cranes: Another of the types of cranes you might encounter are mobile cranes, and this is what AME specializes in. These are cranes that can be disassembled or moved from site to site for a variety of needs. Because they are not fixed in place, they can move loads on a non-static path, and can fill many needs for a construction project.

One type of mobile crane is the all terrain crane. This is a machine that can accommodate a variety of construction terrains as well as drive on public roads to get to and from the site.

Truck-mounted cranes are another common construction site sight. These are smaller cranes that have a smaller load capacity but are built into a truck. Because of their versatility, they can be used in tighter spaces and can be moved without having to worry about specialty transport needs from site to site.

Carry deck cranes, or pick and carry cranes, are the smallest cranes on a site and operate on four all terrain tires. They can rotate a full 360 degrees and can navigate around confined spaces. Their load capacity is significantly less than other types of mobile cranes due to their small size, but they can be used for a variety of different jobs.

Crawler cranes are larger pieces of machinery that are made for construction sites with soft or uneven terrain. They sit on tracks rather than wheels, so can navigate over muddy areas. However, they are very large and bulky, so transporting them from site to site can be expensive and require specialty transporting equipment. They can handle large weight capacities due to their size, but cannot navigate within tight spaces.

Speciality Cranes: Of all the different types of cranes, specialty cranes have the widest variety. There are many different types of vehicles that fall into this category because there are so many different types of sites. These can be mobile, telescoping, hydraulic, fixed, and many other options and are used for anything from shipyards, to oil rigs, to aerial projects.

Rough terrain cranes are a type of specialty crane made for particularly uneven worksites. They sit on large all-terrain tires with four wheel drive than can navigate off-road sites. They typically have telescoping booms that allow them to reach higher areas, and use stabilizers to prevent tipping.

Floating cranes, or crane ships, are specifically built for projects at sea. They are made from a floating platform with an attached crane. They are ideal for jobs like unloading shipping cargo, working on oil rigs, and are even used in deep-sea applications.

Different types of cranes can be used for a variety of jobs on construction sites of every nature. From floating cranes on a ship to tower cranes that hover above skyscrapers, they really are one of the most versatile machines on a worksite. It can be difficult to figure out exactly what your needs are, and what type of vehicle you need for a project. It’s important to take into consideration the terrain you’ll be working with, load capacities, as well as the space the crane will need to fit into. And of course, working within your budget and proposed time frame is important as well. Hiring a company like AME to help you with your crane needs can save you time and ensure that your project is executed perfectly. With a history of over 60 years working on a variety of industrial constructing projects, and with specialty trained operators ensuring the safety of your crew and worksite, you can rest assured that we’ll get the job done right and within your budget.