Choosing a truck crane or all-terrain crane starts with the load you need to lift — but capacity alone is not enough. The height, radius, counterweight and carrier all affect what the crane can safely do on your jobsite.
1. Start with rated capacity and load moment
A crane’s rated capacity is quoted at a defined working radius. The more useful figure is often the load moment (capacity × radius), because long-reach lifts reduce the load a crane can handle. If your lifts are far from the machine, compare capacity at radius rather than the headline maximum.
For example, the XCMG QAY200 all-terrain crane is rated at 200 t and offers a large lifting moment with multiple counterweight configurations, while the SANY STC2400C8-8 truck crane is positioned as a 240-tonne class truck crane with a 90 m main boom.
2. Check boom length and maximum lift height
Main boom length determines how high and far you can place the hook. If you regularly use a fixed or luffing jib, add the jib reach to the system height. Crane suppliers state both the main-boom length and the maximum system height; compare those numbers against your building or structure height plus rigging allowance.
3. Truck crane or all-terrain crane?
- Truck cranes use a carrier built for road travel and are efficient when the machine moves between projects on highways.
- All-terrain cranes combine road mobility with stronger off-road capability and are common on larger or rougher sites.
Both types are in the MachForce catalogue, so the choice depends on road conditions, axle loads and site access.
4. Review counterweight, outriggers and stability
Outrigger spread and counterweight combinations determine stability at radius. Check the maximum counterweight, the outrigger footprint, and how many configurations are available so you can match the crane to partial-load and full-load jobs.
5. Confirm transport dimensions and operating speed
Check overall length, width, height, axle load, travel speed and turning radius against local transport rules. A machine that is difficult to move can erase its lifting productivity.
Get a tailored crane recommendation
Tell us the maximum load, lifting height and radius for your project. Send us a crane inquiry and we will recommend an XCMG or SANY configuration with current pricing.