Cranes: Lifting Capabilities Through the Ages to Modern Construction
Cranes boast a profound and enduring history as fundamental tools in construction, with their origins tracing back thousands of years. Records suggest the ancient Greeks conceived the earliest cranes, employing them as far back as 515 BC. Some accounts even propose that cranes were utilized for water irrigation in ancient Mesopotamia, millennia prior. Indeed, many ancient structures, if erected today in July 2025, would necessitate the deployment of some form of crane.
It was during the Industrial Revolution that cranes transitioned into an indispensable component of global modernization, supplanting the manual pulley systems that preceded them with engine power and operator control. Presently, a diverse array of crane types can be observed on virtually any construction project, each specializing in its own distinct task.
However, this variety presents a challenge: with so many cranes available, discerning their specific functions can be difficult. Due to the highly specialized nature of each crane, selecting the incorrect type can lead to project delays and budgetary overruns. Comprehending the distinctions between each crane can empower you to determine the appropriate machine for your project, ensuring you rent the right crane at a suitable price.
To aid in your equipment selection, we have categorized and detailed the various types of cranes (mobile and fixed) and their applications below.
Explore All Cranes
Mobile Cranes
Mobile cranes are mounted on crawlers or tires, affording them greater maneuverability than stationary cranes. Some mobile cranes are even capable of highway travel. Their ability to navigate diverse job sites and manage substantial loads makes mobile cranes a highly favored addition to numerous projects.
There are several distinct types of mobile cranes, including:
- Carry Deck Crane
Carry deck cranes represent a relatively modern evolution, stemming from the earlier pick and carry model first introduced in the 1980s. These machines are compact, four-wheeled, offer a full 360-degree rotation, and exhibit superior portability compared to other crane types. Carry deck cranes are simple to set up, and their small footprint allows them to effortlessly maneuver within both confined and open spaces, establishing them as a fixture on many job sites.
- Crawler Crane
Unlike wheeled carry deck cranes, crawlers are tracked vehicles. Instead of wheels, crawlers are constructed on an undercarriage fitted with a pair of durable rubber tracks. While this design limits the crawler’s turning capacity, the tracks enable its use on soft ground and sites with limited prior development without the risk of sinking.
Some crawler cranes feature an attached telescopic arm that allows for adjustable size, making them highly adaptable across various terrains. However, unlike carry decks, crawlers are best suited for long-term projects due to their bulk, specialized setup requirements, and the necessity for dedicated transportation between sites.
- Floating Crane
Also known as a crane vessel or crane ship, these floating cranes are specifically employed for projects undertaken at sea, such as those in ports or on oil rigs. These cranes possess a rich heritage—their use dates back to the Middle Ages, and with continuous technological advancements, they have significantly assisted countless generations.
As of today, in July 2025, several types of floating cranes exist, including the sheerleg and semi-submersible. Nevertheless, the primary distinction floating cranes hold from other common types is their exclusive application in maritime environments.
- Rough Terrain Crane
As their name implies, these cranes are designed for pick and carry operations off-road and across challenging terrains. A rough terrain crane is built similarly to a crawler crane, but instead of tracks, its undercarriage is outfitted with four large rubber tires typically featuring four-wheel drive. Rough terrain cranes are also equipped with telescopic booms and outriggers to enhance stability and simplify mobility in constricted and rugged areas.
- Truck-mounted Crane
Truck-mounted cranes are composed of two main sections: the carrier (the truck) and the boom (the arm). Due to their unique construction, they can travel easily on public roads without requiring special setup or dedicated transportation equipment.
Truck-mounted cranes are fitted with counterweights and outriggers for stabilization, enabling them to move slowly while supporting substantial loads. Different versions of the truck-mounted crane exist; for example, specialized truck-mounted cranes are used for the inspection, maintenance, and construction of bridges.
Fixed Cranes
Fixed cranes are typically stationary, set in a single location or spot, and most require transportation to and assembly at the project site. What fixed cranes may lack in mobility, they compensate for with their capacity to lift heavier loads and achieve significantly greater heights. These crane types remain in place for the entire duration of a project.
- Bridge/Overhead Crane
The bridge crane, also known as an overhead crane, is commonly found in industrial settings. Its name derives from its resemblance to a bridge supported by two steel beams that span the workload, with the hoist (the lifting mechanism) traversing along the bridge component of the crane.
There are two subtypes of overhead cranes: gantry and jib cranes.
- Gantry Crane
A variant of the overhead crane is the gantry crane, though sometimes the two terms are used interchangeably. The most significant difference between a bridge and gantry crane is that the gantry crane is supported by two A-frame steel legs and is typically constructed on a track. Gantry cranes are commonly observed at shipping docks and ports, lifting cargo off vessels.
- Jib Crane
Jib cranes represent another version of the bridge crane. These types of cranes are permanently installed over a workstation and are typically used for repetitive tasks.
The jib, or arm, is usually mounted on either a wall or a floor-mounted pillar with a movable hoist and may offer additional degrees of movement.
- Gantry Crane
- Bulk-handling Crane
Bulk-handling cranes are designed for transporting large volumes of heavy materials, such as coal or minerals. Instead of a hook at the end, bulk-handling cranes feature a specialized mechanism that utilizes a grabbing claw and a bucket to seize, hold, and lift materials.
- Hammerhead Crane
Hammerhead cranes are among the most frequently utilized cranes in construction projects. This crane consists of a horizontal, swiveling lever resting atop a fixed tower. The trolley is situated in the forward section of the arm and is counterbalanced by the part of the arm that extends backward.
Hammerhead cranes also offer a feature known as racking, which permits the trolley to move horizontally forward and backward along the crane arm. These cranes can be exceedingly heavy and are assembled directly on the job site.
- Stacker Crane
Stacker cranes are automated machines equipped with a forklift-like mechanism and are primarily intended for warehouse storage. Typically, stacker cranes are employed in environments with unique working conditions, such as extremely cold temperatures, thereby eliminating the need for human workers to endure such harsh environments.
- Telescopic Crane
Telescopic cranes are outfitted with a boom (arm) featuring a hydraulic cylinder that enables it to change length, akin to a telescope. Although categorized as a fixed crane, many telescopic cranes are mounted on a truck for transportation to and from various worksites.
Due to the distinctive nature of their boom, which can collapse and compact, telescopic cranes are highly adaptable for a variety of situations, including short-term construction jobs as well as certain rescue operations during natural disasters or other emergencies.
- Tower Crane
Commonly utilized in the construction of tall buildings, tower cranes are impressive machines offering remarkable lifting capabilities. Given their immense size, tower cranes are equipped with an operating cab that controls the entire crane. Tower cranes have their jib extending horizontally from the mast (the tower component), which itself rests on a concrete base.
A luffing jib is capable of moving up and down, while a fixed jib features an operating dolly that moves materials horizontally. The engine (termed a slewing unit) that governs the rotation of the crane is situated atop the mast.
Due to their substantial dimensions, tower cranes are constructed concurrently with the building, growing alongside it; once the building is complete, the dismantling process is reversed. With their impressive height, capacity to lift heavy materials, and various features, tower cranes are an essential tool when erecting a tall building.