Understanding The Different Types Of Cranes Used For Crane Hire In Brisbane
Choosing the right crane is the difference between a smooth lift and a stalled site. This guide explains the main crane categories used across the city, when to choose each one, and how to plan a safe, efficient lift. If you are comparing crane hire in Brisbane, you can book the right machine and crew via our services page.
How Crane Hire Brisbane Works: From Scope to Selection
Before anyone rolls a crane onto the street, you need a clear scope. Good decisions start with three numbers and two site facts.
- Load: total weight including rigging, lifting gear and any packaging.
- Radius: horizontal distance from crane centre to load centre at set-down and pick-up.
- Height: lift height plus any clearance for obstacles.
- Access: driveway width, ground bearing capacity, overhead lines and trees.
- Time window: council permits, traffic conditions and noise rules.
Share drawings or photos with your supplier. A local dispatcher will model the lift, choose a crane class and advise on permits, traffic control and rigging.
Mobile Cranes: Fast Setup for Tight Brisbane Streets
A mobile crane is the most common hire because it sets up quickly and works well in built-up areas. Outriggers stabilise the chassis, booms telescope to reach over houses and into backyards, and counterweights match the lift plan.
Where mobiles shine:
- Residential roof truss lifts
- Spa pools, beams & steel packs
- Small to mid-rise facade panels
- Back-of-block drops where truck access is tight
Why choose a mobile crane:
- Quick arrival & pack-down keeps road closures short
- Telescopic boom reduces the need for large exclusion zones
- Broad range of sizes to suit light or heavy lifts
Ask for a lift study that confirms radius, height and outrigger loads on your driveway or slab.
Franna Cranes: Pick & Carry for Busy Suburbs
A Franna is a pick and carry crane. It lifts the load, then travels slowly with it suspended. That mobility is ideal when you need to reposition loads on the same site without resetting outriggers.
Best use cases:
- Moving steel or precast around a yard
- Relocating plant onsite
- Short hauls from street to hardstand when a delivery truck cannot reach
Why choose a Franna:
- Minimal setup time
- Flexible movement between points
- Great support crane for larger lifts
Frannas have lower rated capacity at radius than comparable mobiles. Your supplier will confirm the travel path, ground conditions and any gradients.
All-Terrain Cranes: Big Reach Across the River City
All-terrain cranes combine highway speed with off-road capability, which suits jobs spread across multiple suburbs or sites with uneven ground.
Where all-terrain cranes excel:
- Heavy lifts on commercial builds
- Long boom work over wide roof spans
- Regional runs between depots and city sites in a single shift
Why choose all-terrain:
- High capacity with long telescopic booms
- Better mobility on varied surfaces
- Efficient for multi-stop lifts in one day
Factor in delivery routes, bridge limits and turning circles on narrow streets. Your provider will handle route surveys where needed.
Tower Cranes: When the Project Stays Vertical for Months
For high-rise or long projects, a tower crane delivers steady productivity. It anchors or climbs with the structure and services the footprint all day.
Typical applications:
- Multi-storey residential & commercial projects
- Sites with constrained laydown areas
- Repetitive lifts where cycle time matters
What to consider:
- Detailed engineering & approvals
- Foundation design & climbing schedule
- Long lead times for installation & removal
If you only need short-term height, a high-reach mobile may be more cost-effective than a full tower package.
Truck-Mounted Crane Trucks: Lift, Carry, Deliver
Crane trucks combine a flatbed with a vehicle-mounted crane, ideal for Brisbane crane services that require both transport and lifting.
Perfect for:
- Delivering & placing air-con units, spas or cabinetry
- Signage installation & light steel
- One-vehicle logistics where site space is limited
Why crane trucks work:
- One booking covers transport & placement
- Smaller footprint for suburban streets
- Faster turnaround for multiple drops
Match tray length and rear or side lift capability to your load list. Provide weights and dimensions so the team can plan safe tie-down and rigging.
Access, Permits & Safety Planning in Brisbane
Crane work is as much about planning as it is about lifting. A safe plan prevents delays and keeps neighbours on side.
- Traffic control: many lifts need lane closures or traffic guidance. Book early to secure your window.
- Council permits: required for road occupancy and some out-of-hours work.
- Overhead hazards: power lines, tram and train corridors and low trees call for extra controls.
- Ground bearing: verify pavement, suspended slabs, and verge capacity for outrigger loads.
- Rigging plan: rated slings, spreader bars and tag lines for stable, controlled lifts.
Your supplier should provide a Job Safety Analysis, lift plan, and proof of insurance before the crane arrives.
Costs, Timing & How to Choose the Right Crane
Price reflects capacity, setup complexity, and time on site. You can control cost by locking down details early.
To get an accurate quote:
- Share load weights, centre of gravity & lifting points
- Provide site photos from the street & set-down area
- Confirm delivery times, street width & any parking restrictions
- Note obstacles like trees, eaves & power lines
- Decide if transport is needed or if loads arrive on other trucks
A good rule is to book the smallest crane that safely meets radius and height, with a sensible buffer for wind and rigging.
Book Central Crane Trucks for Crane Hire in Brisbane
Need a fast recommendation for your lift? We scope your job, select the right machine, and handle permits, traffic, and rigging so work starts on time. Explore our site to request a quote for mobile crane hire in Brisbane, Franna support, or full Brisbane crane services. Tell us your load, radius and access, and we will lock in a crane that fits your site and your schedule.
