Crane Selection Guide

Q: "How do I know what size crane I need?"

"Start with the load weight, the lift radius (horizontal distance from crane center to load center), and the lift height. The crane's published load chart tells you what configuration is required for that combination. If the lift is anywhere near 75% of crane capacity, you should be looking at the next class up — both for safety margin and to qualify it as a critical lift."

Q: "When do I need an all-terrain vs. a crawler vs. a rough-terrain?"

"All-terrain (AT) is the most versatile — highway-mobile, fast setup, full capacity range. Crawlers are best for long-duration sites and pick-and-carry capability. Rough-terrain (RT) is for off-highway, soft ground, and capacities under ~100 tons. Compact mobile (boom truck, city-class) is for tight access and lighter picks."

Q: "What's a 'critical lift' threshold?"

"Most customers and operators classify a lift as critical when it exceeds 75% of crane capacity, requires multi-crane coordination, is over occupied space or live equipment, or involves an irreplaceable load. Critical lifts trigger a more rigorous engineering process."

Step 1: Know your load

Before anyone can spec a crane, you need:

Pick weight — including rigging and any below-the-hook tooling
Lift radius — the horizontal distance from the center of the crane to the center of the load at the highest point of the lift (not where the load starts)
Lift height — vertical distance from ground to the lift point on the load
Load dimensions — to evaluate rigging and clearance

Step 2: Match to a crane class

Class	Capacity	Best for
Compact mobile / boom truck	<40 ton	HVAC, residential, signage, urban
Rough-terrain (RT)	30–100 ton	Pad work, oilfield, civil, soft ground
All-terrain (AT)	50–1,200 ton	Most industrial — versatile, fast setup
Crawler	100–600+ ton	Long-duration, pick-and-carry, very heavy lattice

Step 3: Check the load chart

The load chart tells you, for a given configuration (boom length, jib, counterweight), what the crane can lift at a given radius. Capacity drops sharply with radius — the crane that lifts 200 tons at 30 feet might only lift 40 tons at 100 feet.

Rule of thumb: if your required pick is more than 75% of the chart capacity, move up a class. The other 25% is your safety margin for wind, dynamic loading, and the unknowns.

Step 4: Evaluate ground conditions

Heavy cranes generate significant ground bearing pressure under outriggers or crawlers. Soil, mats, and pad design all factor in.

Paved industrial yards — usually fine, sometimes need mats for the largest cranes
Unimproved soil — almost always need engineered timber mats or steel plates
Wet ground — can be a no-go without significant pad construction

A lift plan includes ground bearing analysis.

Step 5: Evaluate access

Can the crane physically get to the staging area?

Width restrictions — gates, narrow streets, urban corridors
Overhead clearance — bridges, overpasses, utilities
Turn radii — for the carrier and any escort vehicles
Pad space — for outriggers (AT/RT) or crawler tracks plus counterweight assembly

For tight residential urban work, a compact mobile is often the only practical option even when capacity allows for a larger class.

Step 6: Plan for the lift type

Routine pick — standard process
Critical lift — engineered plan, dedicated lift director
Multi-crane lift — synchronized planning, single lift director
Jack and slide — when a crane is impractical

When to call us

For routine work, a quote with load specs and site address is enough. For anything complex, bring us in early — the earlier we see the project, the more options we can offer.

Talk to a crane operator › or call 405-373-2979

Frequently asked questions

How do I know what size crane I need?

Start with the load weight, the lift radius (horizontal distance from crane center to load center), and the lift height. The crane's published load chart tells you what configuration is required for that combination. If the lift is anywhere near 75% of crane capacity, you should be looking at the next class up — both for safety margin and to qualify it as a critical lift.

When do I need an all-terrain vs. a crawler vs. a rough-terrain?

All-terrain (AT) is the most versatile — highway-mobile, fast setup, full capacity range. Crawlers are best for long-duration sites and pick-and-carry capability. Rough-terrain (RT) is for off-highway, soft ground, and capacities under ~100 tons. Compact mobile (boom truck, city-class) is for tight access and lighter picks.

What's a 'critical lift' threshold?

Most customers and operators classify a lift as critical when it exceeds 75% of crane capacity, requires multi-crane coordination, is over occupied space or live equipment, or involves an irreplaceable load. Critical lifts trigger a more rigorous engineering process.