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Chengli Automobile Industry Park
What is the difference between a mobile crane and a truck-mounted crane?
Have you ever seen big machines that lift heavy things at work sites? These are called cranes. Two types that look alike but work in different ways are mobile cranes and truck-mounted cranes. Let’s learn what makes them different!
Table of Contents
What is a Truck-Mounted Crane?
A truck-mounted crane is a lifting machine that sits on a truck. The crane part is built right into the truck’s body. This means you can drive it on roads and use it to lift things at your job.
Key facts about truck-mounted cranes:
- They can be driven to job sites easily
- They set up fast
- They can lift and move on the same vehicle
- They are good for jobs in cities
- They are made by companies like Liebherr, XCMG, and Tadano
Truck-mounted cranes help workers finish jobs faster because they don’t need extra trucks to move them around.
What is a Mobile Crane?
A mobile crane is a bigger category that includes many types of cranes that can move. Some roll on tracks called crawlers. Others have special wheels for rough ground.
Types of mobile cranes include:
- Crawler cranes (with tracks)
- All-terrain cranes
- Rough-terrain cranes
- Hydraulic cranes
These cranes are built to lift very heavy loads at big construction sites, ports, and industrial areas.
Key Differences Between Mobile Cranes and Truck-Mounted Cranes
Let’s look at what makes these cranes different:
Comparing Mobile Cranes vs. Truck-Mounted Cranes
| What We Compare | Mobile Crane | Truck-Mounted Crane |
|---|---|---|
| How Big the Market Is | $17.2 billion worldwide (2024) | Part of $19.07 billion market by 2032 |
| Growing by | 6.7% each year (2025–2033) | 5.5% each year (2025–2032) |
| Who Makes Them | Liebherr, Sany, Zoomlion, XCMG | Liebherr, XCMG, Tadano, Hiab |
| What They Do Best | Lifting very heavy things, working off-road | City jobs, moving around a lot |
| How Much They Lift | Up to 1,300+ tons (crawler cranes) | Usually 15–50 tons |
| Moving Around | May need to take apart to move; good off-road | Ready to drive on roads, no assembly needed |
| Cost to Use | Costs more but good for big projects | Costs less to run, good for many small jobs |
| Examples | Liebherr MK 73-3.1, XCMG QY-100 | XCMG SQ8SK3Q, Tadano truck cranes |
Mobile Crane vs. Truck-Mounted Crane
Truck-Mounted
Mobile
Market Size and Growth
Key Differences
| Feature | Mobile Crane | Truck-Mounted Crane |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Lifting Capacity | Up to 1,300+ tons | Usually 15-50 tons |
| Mobility | May require disassembly for transport; excellent off-road | Drives on roads; no setup needed |
| Best Use Cases | Heavy lifting, off-road work | City jobs, frequent moves |
When to Use a Truck-Mounted Crane
A truck-mounted crane works best when you need:
- To move the crane often between job sites
- Quick setup time
- To lift medium loads (not super heavy)
- To drive on regular roads without special permits
- Lower costs for small to medium jobs
Real example: A company used an XCMG SQ8SK3Q truck-mounted crane because they needed to lift air conditioning units onto three different buildings in one day.
When to Use a Mobile Crane
A mobile crane works best when you need:
- To lift very heavy things
- To work on rough ground where trucks can’t go
- More reach to lift things higher
- To work on big construction projects
- Special lifting abilities for complex jobs
Real example: Liebherr made a new MK 73-3.1 mobile crane in 2021 for jobs in tight city spaces that need a compact but strong crane.
Cost and Value Comparison
If you need to save money, here’s what to think about:
- Truck-mounted cranes:
- Cost less to buy
- Use less fuel
- Don’t need extra transport trucks
- Easier to get permits for
- Mobile cranes:
- Cost more to buy and run
- Better value for very big jobs
- Need special transport sometimes
- May need special permits
Where These Cranes Work Best
Truck-mounted cranes work well in:
- City construction sites
- Utility work (power lines, etc.)
- Building homes
- Moving equipment to new places
- Quick jobs at many sites
Mobile cranes work well in:
- Big construction sites
- Bridge building
- Oil and gas fields
- Shipyards
- Places with no roads
Growing Markets for Cranes
The mobile crane market is growing fast! It was worth $17.2 billion in 2024 and will reach $30.83 billion by 2033. The growth comes from:
- More building in cities
- New roads and bridges
- More oil and gas work
- Growing shipping at ports
North America shows strong growth too, with mobile crane use going up by 6.4% each year from 2025 to 2030.
How to Choose the Right Crane
To pick the right crane for your job:
- Think about the weight you need to lift
- Look at the ground where you’ll work
- Count how many places you need to move the crane
- Check your budget
- See if you need road permits
Summary
Truck-mounted cranes are good when you need to move around a lot and lift medium loads. They’re built on trucks so they drive on roads easily.
Mobile cranes are best for very heavy lifting and rough ground. They lift more weight but cost more to use.
Both types help build our world, but in different ways! The one you pick depends on your job needs.
