Can you hire an all terrain crane in place of a tower crane?
The short answer is yes, you can hire an all terrain crane in place of a tower crane, but what’s a far more important consideration is whether subbing in an all terrain crane is actually the best choice for your project.
Tower cranes have historically been the go-to option for the construction of tall buildings and skyscrapers, or for projects that require a higher lifting capacity. Also known as fixed cranes, a tower crane generally needs to remain in place for the duration of the period in which its services are required once installed on a worksite, taking up valuable space even when it is not in use. Many construction sites these days (especially those in urban or inner city locations) are often afforded a very limited area in which the operation of multiple pieces of heavy-duty machinery needs to occur.
This has led project managers to consider whether hiring an all terrain crane is a feasible alternative for carrying out their lifting requirements as it can easily be relocated to other areas around the work site or another location entirely. And while the mobility of an all terrain crane cannot be disputed, this key feature alone is not necessarily enough to completely discount a tower crane. We’re going to take a look at a few key factors you should consider before picking up the phone to your nearest mobile crane hire operator.
If you would like to read more about the differences between mobile and tower cranes, check out our previous blog post - Rumble in the (urban) jungle.
Project height
The first thing you should consider before hiring an all terrain crane is the height of your construction. At present, the longest boom available on a mobile crane has a maximum reach of just over 160m, and, should you require that exact amount of reach, will not be easily available from a supplier. Fortunately, the majority of projects are not ambitious enough to try to rival the Empire State Building, and all terrain cranes are still more than capable of successfully lifting loads at slightly lower altitudes.
If your project is likely to exceed the 160m maximum boom length, then you will need to stick with the tower crane instead. If not, then hiring an all terrain crane might well be a great alternative option for you.
Load weight
Length of project
Finally, you should take into account the length of time you have allocated for your project to be completed. Tower cranes have a very labour-intensive set-up process, which can be time consuming and also very costly when compared to an all terrain crane. If your project needs to be completed quickly, and you don't anticipate a long-term need for a crane, then hiring an all terrain crane could save you valuable time and money.
If in doubt about hiring an all terrain crane, Action Cranes are here to help
If you’re still not sure which crane is right for your next project, then get in touch with the experts at Action Cranes. We’ve been helping construction companies with all their lifting requirements for more than 50 years and would be more than happy to provide you with all the advice and information you need to make the right decision for your project. Contact us today by reaching out to a member of our team via phone or our online enquiry form.
If in doubt about hiring an all terrain crane, Action Cranes are here to help
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