How Are Cranes Transported To Construction Sites?

As you won’t see a large tower crane drive past you on the highway, a question we are often asked is how are cranes transported to construction sites. There are many different types of cranes, each designed for a different purpose, so the way that a crane is transported to site depends on the type of crane, as well as the conditions at the job site

How Different Types Of Cranes Are Transported To Site

Roadworthy Cranes

Many small to medium sized mobile cranes are roadworthy vehicles that can easily be driven on public roads between job sites. Similarly, there are some larger cranes that are also permitted to drive on public roads. However, due to their size, they may require escort vehicles, and will potentially need special permissions to be driven on roads through built up areas.

Some cranes, such as the Franna, are licensed for on road travel, but can also carry a load while in transit. This means that the crane requires no special permissions or additional vehicles to reach the construction site. Additionally, once on site, a Franna crane can taxi large and heavy items between locations on site as needed.

Cranes Assembled On Site

Other cranes, such as tower cranes, need to be transported to the construction site in parts, carried by large trucks. Once on site, the crane is then assembled by a mobile crane team. This is the reason that you won’t see large tower cranes driving though the city, yet there are many tower cranes to be seen on the construction sites of tall buildings.

Even if tower cranes weren’t too large to be driven on public roads, unlike mobile cranes, tower cranes are stationary and can only be operated in the place that they are built. There is also a specialist type of tower crane, called a jumping crane, that can ‘jump’ with every few floors that are built, allowing the crane to always remain on top of the construction.

How Cranes Are Transported To Different Types Of Construction Sites

No Road Access

Though any mobile cranes can be driven on public roads, it is common to come across construction sites with no road access. This makes transporting the crane to site a little more difficult. In these cases, all terrain or rough terrain cranes are often used. This is because these cranes are designed with heavy duty, off-road tyres and 4 wheel drive capabilities, allowing them to safely traverse across uneven ground.

Additionally, all terrain and rough terrain cranes are equipped with front and rear stabilisers giving them the ability to perform safe and stable lifts on uneven or sloped surfaces.

Limited Space

Many job sites these days are smaller with limited space to manoeuvre large machinery such as a mobile crane. This makes getting a crane on site more difficult. Luckily, Mighty Cranes offers compact mobile cranes with high manoeuvrability, perfect for tight access lifts where space is limited.

Additionally, our 20 ton Franna requires minimal set up with not outriggers needed, suitable for carrying out safe and accurate lifts in tight spaces.

Mighty Cranes is your local crane hire company, providing reliable crane hire Brisbane wide at a competitive price. Call us today on 0477 000 976 for a free quote and comprehensive lift plan or fill out our contact form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.