How To Choose The Most "suitable" BOB-LIFT Truck-mounted Crane for Your Truck?

When choosing a truck-mounted crane, it is by no means as simple as "selecting a tonnage". It's like finding a compatible "work partner" for your truck. The degree of matching directly determines the future work efficiency, safety and return on investment. As an expert in the field of truck-mounted cranes, BOB-LIFT has sorted out the following key steps for you to help you make the wisest choice.

Step 1: Clarify the core task - What is your crane mainly used for?

This is the fundamental starting point of the choice. The demands for cranes vary greatly in different working scenarios.

Scene A: Logistics handling, building materials transportation

Features: The goods are neatly arranged (such as pallets, ton bags, bricks), the operation frequency is high, and the efficiency requirements are strict.

BOB-LIFT suggests: Focus on straight boom cranes. Its arm length extends flexibly, with a large working radius and fast loading and unloading speed, making it highly suitable for standard logistics stacking and vehicle loading and unloading.

Scene B: Landscaping and wood transportation

Features: The goods are irregular (such as trees and wood), requiring grasping and clamping functions, and are often operated in narrow Spaces.

BOB-LIFT suggests: Folding boom cranes are the ideal choice. Its structure is compact and the arm segments can bend like joints, making it particularly suitable for use with attachments such as wood grabbers to achieve precise grasping in Spaces with many obstacles.

Scene C: Municipal maintenance, high-altitude installation

Features: It is necessary to precisely deliver personnel or items to specific height positions (such as installing billboards, maintaining street lamps).

BOB-LIFT suggests: On the basis of choosing the tonnage, it is essential to confirm whether the crane can be equipped with a high-altitude work basket. Meanwhile, the micro-movement and smoothness of the operation are of vital importance.

Summary: First determine the working conditions, then select the model. Clarifying more than 70% of your daily work content is the first step to making the right decision.

Step 2: Assess the load-bearing base - Can your truck chassis handle it?

The truck-mounted crane will be permanently installed on the truck chassis, and its own weight and the load during operation must be borne by the chassis. Ignoring this point can lead to early vehicle damage or even safety accidents.

Chassis load capacity: Check the vehicle announcement or technical parameter table to clarify the maximum allowable gross mass and axle load of the chassis. The self-weight of the crane (including the base) must be controlled within a safe range.

Shaft head size matching: Measure the spacing and height of the chassis frame to ensure that the installation dimensions of the crane base match them. BOB-LIFT offers a variety of adaptation solutions that can perfectly match mainstream truck brands at home and abroad.

Rear overhang and weight distribution: The installation position of the crane will affect the center of gravity of the vehicle. After installation, it is necessary to ensure that the vehicle runs stably and does not experience a "top-heavy" situation.

Summary: Never "a small horse pulling a big cart". A 5-ton crane loaded onto a light truck may be seriously overloaded. When you consult BOB-LIFT, our engineers will conduct professional matching calculations for you.

Step 3: Determine the performance key - How much "strength" and "arm length" are needed?

This is the most crucial technical parameter.

Lifting capacity (tonnage T) : This is not the case that the larger the better. A safety margin of 20% to 30% should be reserved based on the weight of the goods you lift most frequently. For instance, when lifting 3 tons of goods frequently, choosing a model with a capacity of 4 to 5 tons is the most economical and efficient. Blindly pursuing large tonnage will lead to increased procurement costs and higher vehicle fuel consumption.

Working range (meters) : When the crane has its maximum boom length, how far can its boom cover? This determines the working range on one side of the vehicle. If you often need to work at a position far from the vehicle, you will need a longer arm length.

Lifting height (meters) : Can the maximum lifting height of the boom meet your requirements (such as lifting goods to the second floor platform)?

BOB-LIFT Tip: Refer to the lifting performance table, which clearly shows the maximum weight that the crane can safely lift under different boom lengths and angles.

Step 4: Focus on value details - Which functions can make work easier and safer?

An excellent crane is not only a tool but also a multiplier of productivity.

Operation mode: Remote wireless remote control operation is preferred. It enables the operator to obtain the best field of vision, ensures safety, and significantly reduces labor intensity.

Safety system: Confirm whether it is equipped with core safety devices such as overload protection, hydraulic locking, and relief valves. All BOB-LIFT products are equipped with multiple safety protections as standard to ensure the safety of your work.

Scalability: Considering future business expansion, does the crane support the convenient replacement of various attachments (such as grabs, clamps, and work baskets)?

The best choice = working condition matching + chassis compatibility + sufficient performance + safety and intelligence

Choosing a truck-mounted crane for a truck is a systematic decision-making process. The most "expensive" is not necessarily the most suitable for you; the most "matching" is the one that can create the most value for you.