When choosing a service truck crane, you have to consider the most important options for your truck or fleet.
Everything from the type of crane to the truck itself and even the color of the crane offers a new opportunity for customization. Performance and safety help determine what’s best for your needs.
Here is a guide to your options for service truck cranes.
Crane Types
The best choice of mechanic truck cranes depends on the work intended for your crane.
Start with the basics:
- How much will be lifted on a regular basis?
- And how often will the crane be in use?
Electric Telescoping Cranes
This type of crane is lower-cost and is best for light-duty, intermittent lifting. With a lift capacity between 2,000 and 6,000 pounds, save heavier lifting for a different type of crane.
But don’t be cheap.
If you end up lifting heavier things or using your electric truck bed crane regularly, you’ll spend more on repairs than if you had chosen a crane built to do more from the start.
Choose an electric crane if you know the workload is consistently light.
Hydraulic Cranes
Powered by hydraulics, these cranes are versatile and handle loads of 6,000 pounds with better ease than electric cranes.
Hydraulic Telescoping cranes are the most popular type of crane for a service truck.
They can lift anything an electric crane lifts, plus heavier loads. They also reach many places electric cranes can’t reach.
Articulating Cranes
Also known as “knucklebooms,” articulating cranes add more reach and lift more weight than hydraulic cranes. These cranes are highly maneuverable.
But, articulating cranes are not common in North America. Not all crane operators know how to operate this type of crane since you won’t find them as often.
However, if your lift needs are more than 14,000 pounds and you need to reach tight spots, track down an articulating crane and operator for the job.
The Truck Body Is Important
It’s not only about the right crane. Be sure your trucks supports any crane you choose.
Accidents happen when a utility truck crane isn’t attached to the correct truck body.
Consider the type of work intended for the crane (light, medium, heavy, or severe), then match the best service truck body for the crane.
Note how much the crane weighs and the placement needed in the truck bed. These two factors are critical when choosing the right truck body for your crane.
Choose Service Truck Cranes For the Job
Whether buying a new crane or modifying your existing fleet of service truck cranes, choose the best crane for the job.
With any truck modification, invest in the future.
Be realistic about the job your trucks perform. You might spend more up front, but you’ll save money on repairs needed when the wrong truck isn’t up to the task.
Performance is important. But have a little fun, too. Your trucks should look nice and represent your business well.
Need help with cranes for service trucks? Contact us for a quote. We perform quality truck installation, repair, and customization.
