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Chengli Automobile Industry Park
What is a crane truck used for?
Have you ever seen a big truck with a long arm that can pick up heavy things? That’s a crane truck! These special trucks help people do many jobs that would be too hard to do by hand. Let’s learn all about what crane trucks can do!
Table of Contents
What Is a Crane Truck?
A crane truck is a truck with a lifting arm on it. This arm can pick up, move, and place heavy things. The arm is called a boom. Some booms can stretch out far and some can bend like your arm. These trucks help people do many big jobs.
Types of Crane Trucks
There are many kinds of crane trucks:
- Boom trucks – These have a straight arm that can reach high places
- Knuckle boom trucks – These have an arm that can bend like your elbow
- Drywall crane trucks – These help carry wall parts to building sites
Some brands that make good crane trucks are: - Ford
- Freightliner
- Manitex
- Liebherr
- Palfinger
Main Jobs for Crane Trucks
Crane trucks do all kinds of jobs! Let’s look at the main ways people use them:
Construction Work
Crane trucks help build things! They can:
- Lift steel beams for buildings
- Move concrete slabs for walls and floors
- Place HVAC units (big air conditioners) on roofs
- Help with roofing by lifting heavy materials up high
Utility Work
Crane trucks help keep our lights on and phones working! They:
- Put up power lines and fix them when they break
- Install transformers that help give power to homes
- Set up telecom towers for cell phones
Tree Work
Crane trucks help take care of big trees:
- Lift tree cutters high up to trim branches
- Help remove trees that might fall down
- Move cut wood after storms
Emergency Work
When bad things happen, crane trucks help:
- Clear fallen trees after storms
- Move debris after floods
- Help fire trucks reach high places
Find out more about truck-mounted mobile cranes for all jobs
Crane Truck Market: Big Business!
The crane truck business is growing fast! Look at these facts:
| Category | Details | Numbers |
|---|---|---|
| Market Size | How much the crane truck business is worth | $1.85 billion in 2024, growing to $5.03 billion by 2037 |
| Growth Rate | How fast the market is growing | 8% each year from 2025 to 2037 |
| U.S. Market | How big the U.S. crane market is | $6.4 billion in 2024, growing to $8.6 billion by 2033 |
| Top Industries | Who uses crane trucks the most | Construction, Utilities, Precast Concrete |
| Top Makers | Best crane truck companies | Liebherr, Palfinger, Altec, Terex |
| This shows how important crane trucks are for many jobs! |
Specialty Truck Manufacturing
Global Reach & Technical Capabilities
50+
Countries Reached
Multiple
Production Certifications
1,786
Employees
Data reflects global specialty truck manufacturing capabilities
How Do Crane Trucks Work?
Crane trucks use hydraulics to lift heavy things. Hydraulics use oil pushed through tubes to make the boom move up and down or in and out.
The main parts of a crane truck are:
- Chassis – The truck part that drives on roads
- Outriggers – Legs that come out to keep the truck steady
- Boom – The arm that lifts things
- Winch – The part that pulls the cable
- Hook – The end part that grabs the load
Explore mobile all-terrain cranes for tough job sites
Special Types of Crane Trucks
Drywall Crane Trucks
These trucks are made just for carrying wall materials to building sites. Brands like Freightliner make special trucks with IMT cranes that can place drywall right where workers need it.
Knuckle Boom Trucks
These have a folding arm that can work in tight spots. They’re great for jobs in cities or small spaces where a big straight boom won’t fit.
Heavy-Duty Crane Trucks
For the biggest jobs, companies use trucks like Kenworth and Mack with super strong cranes that can lift many tons of weight.
New Trends in Crane Trucks for 2025
Crane trucks are getting better! Here are some cool new things coming:
- Smart Technology – Cranes with computers that help make lifting safer
- Custom Designs – Trucks made just for special jobs
- Better Engines – Trucks that follow new clean air rules
- Rental Options – More places to rent crane trucks for short jobs
How to Choose the Right Crane Truck
If you need a crane truck, think about:
- How heavy are the things you need to lift?
- How high do you need to reach?
- What kind of ground will you work on?
- How much space do you have to work in?
These questions help you pick the right truck for your job!
Questions People Ask About Crane Trucks
Can crane trucks work in cities?
Yes! Small crane trucks like Ford models can fit in tight city spots. They help with jobs like fixing signs or working on small buildings.
How much does a crane truck cost?
Crane trucks cost different amounts. Used ones might start at $70,000, while new ones can cost more than $200,000. It depends on how big and strong they are.
Are crane trucks different from tower cranes?
Yes! Crane trucks can drive on roads and move to different job sites. Tower cranes stay in one place and are much taller for building skyscrapers.
Conclusion
Crane trucks are amazing machines that help people do big jobs safely and fast. From building houses to fixing power lines to cleaning up after storms, these strong trucks make hard work easier.
As we look to the future, crane trucks will keep getting smarter, safer, and better for our world. They truly are the lifting heroes of our working world!
