Editor’s pick
Liebherr
Liebherr LTM 1100-5.2
- Max. lifting capacity
- 100 t
- Telescopic boom
- 60 m
- Max. hook height
- 91 m
Lifting & Access
Mobile cranes: all-terrain, truck and rough-terrain cranes explained
Mobile cranes drive to the job and lift anything from air-conditioning units to wind turbines. This guide explains the main types, how capacity is rated and why the load chart matters most.
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Popular mobile cranes reviewed
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Mobile Cranes compared
9 models · click a column to sort
| Liebherr LTM 1100-5.2 | Liebherr | — | — |
| Grove GMK5250L | Manitowoc | — | — |
| Grove RT9130E-2 | Manitowoc | — | — |
| Liebherr LTM 1060-3.1 | Liebherr | — | — |
| SANY STC250 | SANY | — | — |
| Tadano AC 4.080-1 | Tadano | — | — |
| Tadano ATF 220G-5 | Tadano | — | — |
| Tadano GR-1000XL-4 | Tadano | — | — |
| XCMG XCT25 | XCMG | — | — |
A mobile crane is a self-propelled crane with a telescopic or lattice boom that can drive to a job and set up quickly. Mobile cranes are used for building construction, steel erection, industrial plants, bridges, wind turbines and countless one-off lifts.
Types of mobile cranes
- All-terrain (AT) cranes have multi-axle all-wheel drive and steering, drive on public roads at highway speeds and handle rough job sites. They range from 2-axle 40-tonners to 9-axle 1,200-tonne machines. Liebherr, Tadano and Grove dominate.
- Truck cranes are mounted on a truck chassis. They are cheaper and very common in Asia, Africa and Latin America, where Chinese 25-tonne truck cranes are among the best-selling cranes in the world.
- Rough-terrain (RT) cranes have a single cab, large tyres and short wheelbase for site work, but limited road speed. Very popular in North America.
- Crawler cranes run on tracks with lattice booms for the heaviest, longest-duration lifts.
- Pick-and-carry and city cranes are compact machines for confined urban work.
What the "tonne" rating really means
A crane's headline rating (e.g. 100 t) is its maximum capacity at a very short radius with all counterweight and outriggers fully extended. At real working radii, capacity is much lower. For example, a 100-tonne all-terrain crane may lift only a few tonnes at 40 m (130 ft) radius. Always plan lifts from the load chart for the exact configuration.
Key specifications
- Maximum capacity at minimum radius.
- Main boom length and maximum hook height (with jib).
- Counterweight (and how much can travel on the crane within road axle limits).
- Number of axles and road travel weight.
Safety
Modern cranes use load moment limiters (LMI) that prevent overload. Lifts must be planned by competent people, with ground conditions, outrigger mats and wind speed considered.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an all-terrain crane and a truck crane?
An all-terrain crane has all-wheel drive and steering with a crane-specific chassis and can drive both on roads and on rough sites. A truck crane uses a road truck chassis, is cheaper and is mainly used on roads and prepared sites.
What is the largest mobile crane?
The Liebherr LTM 11200-9.1 is among the largest telescopic all-terrain cranes, rated at 1,200 tonnes with a telescopic boom of about 100 m.
Lifting & Access