The Different Types of Crane

When you picture a crane, you probably envisage a huge machine towering above buildings with a boom and hook moving large objects about. And you’d probably expect to find them on construction sites or large industrial locations. However, the world of cranes is vast and varied, and not always typically what you’d expect.

Here at Cadman Cranes our machines come in all shapes and sizes. From small compact cranes through to our large mobile cranes, our fleet offers a sliding scale suitable for an array of different projects and locations.

We know that when it comes to lifting, it’s not a one size fits all approach. After all, a very different bit of kit is needed for moving a hot tub over a residential building when compared to installing 2.5 tonne steel beams in a warehouse! Matching the right crane to the job is one aspect of Cadman Cranes in which we excel in, whether it’s a tight squeeze or an exceptionally heavy load, we’ve got it covered.

In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the different types of cranes we have available, and how they compare.

Mobile Cranes

Mobile cranes are one of the cornerstones of our fleet and are known for their versatility and efficiency.

Rather than tower cranes which are stationary and usually located in one place over an extended period of time, mobile cranes do exactly what it says on the tin- they’re mobile. Mounted on a body with wheels, these cranes can be easily transported from A-B just like any other vehicle on the road.

What sets our mobile cranes apart is their robust design and the ability to operate in various environments. We offer a range of models, including the Bocker AK 47/6000, Liebherr LTM 1230-5.1, Tadano AC4.080 and the Liebherr LTC 1045-3.1 City Crane. From manoeuvring around the busy streets of a city through to tacking the terrain of a new housing development, mobile cranes offer unparalleled flexibility.

Whether you’re engaged in a small-scale job or a significant construction project, our modern mobile cranes can be hired on a short- or long-term basis, or as part of our Contract Lift Service.

Why Use A Mobile Crane?

• Easy To Transport: Thanks to being mounted on a vehicle, these cranes can be used across multiple different sites and are easily driven to different locations as and when they’re needed.
• Minimal Set Up: Mobile cranes can usually tackle different terrains, meaning they can roll up and get to work pretty quickly and efficiently.
• Heavy Lifters: Whilst easily manoeuvred, mobile cranes can still handle the heavy lifting. The outriggers attached to the crane help to spread the weight over a larger area, meaning they can lift exceedingly heavy loads with ease and precision.

Compact Crawler Cranes

One of our unique innovations is the compact crawler crane, often referred to as the ‘Thunderbird.’ These cranes are specifically designed to handle the most challenging lifting tasks, especially in areas where traditional cranes can’t operate effectively.

In fact, we specifically designed our compact crawler cranes to tackle even the most difficult spaces and terrains – suited to completing work that can’t be carried out by other cranes.

The compact crawler crane’s ability to traverse muddy fields and rough terrains makes it an all-terrain champion. They are specifically designed to avoid sinking into soft ground, providing a solution where heavy cranes would struggle, and they’re incredibly mobile.

What Makes Our Compact Crawler Cranes Special?

We may be biased, but we think out compact crawler cranes are pretty special. With a whole host of benefits, its easy to see why they’re one of the most popular machines in our fleet.

• Versatile & Compact: Their small footprint allows them to operate in confined spaces, making them perfect for both indoor and outdoor tasks. Whilst their attachable grab / bucket can handle different materials.
• Lifting Capacities: With a lifting capacity of up to 13 tonnes and the ability to pick and carry loads of up to 6 tonnes, these cranes are small yet mighty. Plus, they boast a fly jib for additional height / reach of up to 26m.
• Low Ground Bearing Pressures: They are engineered to spread their weight across a wider area, making them suitable for weaker ground conditions.
• Fully Remote-Controlled: Safety is our priority, and the remote-control feature allows operators to manage lifts without being directly under the load.

Spider Cranes

We love a new bit of kit here at Cadman Cranes, and the recent addition of the Hoeflon C10 Spider Crane to our fleet caused quite a buzz.

So what is a spider crane?

Can it scale the side of a skyscraper ‘Spiderman-style’? Not quite. But it has some pretty cool superpowers which set it apart from traditional cranes.

Blending cutting-edge technology with environmental responsibility these innovative cranes offer a tonne of benefits to the end user, making them ideal for a range of jobs and locations.

What Are The Benefits of Spider Cranes?

• Powerful and Sustainable: Two words that go hand and hand here at Cadman Cranes. Our spider crane can lift up to 4 tonnes and is powered by a hybrid engine that uses both HVO renewable fuel and electricity.
• Versatile: The unique structure and compact design of spider cranes allows them to operate efficiently in tight and confined spaces, making them ideal for indoor use. The crane is lightweight, and it has extendable outriggers allowing it to operate where traditional cranes can’t. Its four outriggers give it the appearance of a spider, hence the name!
• Tight Squeeze? No Problem: Just like a real spider, the spider crane doesn’t let a tight squeeze stop it. The ability to navigate through narrow doorways and around obstacles ensures that our spider crane can perform in various environments without sacrificing performance.
• Environmental Responsibility: The hybrid engine in our spider crane means that it is powered by HVO renewable fuel and electricity. A big tick for sustainable lifting.

Making Lifting Sustainable

Something which all our cranes have in common is their sustainability credentials.

As a business, we pride ourselves on being at the forefront of innovation and sustainability. In the last couple of years, we’ve made significant strides in reducing our carbon footprint, going from 165 tonnes of CO2 emissions in 2022 to an impressive target of around 30 tonnes by the end of 2024.

This transition is thanks to our commitment to using 100% HVO biofuel in our cranes and vehicles, which reduces CO2 emissions by over 98%. We were the first crane hire company in the UK to take this bold step, paving the way for others to follow suit.

Ultimately this means, whatever crane you opt for, you can be sure that you’re making a sustainable choice. At Cadman Cranes, we’re not just about lifting heavy loads; we’re committed to doing it sustainably and efficiently.