Construction jobs, whether commercial or municipal, often need the powerful lifting capabilities of cranes in order to lift heavy cargo to various places and floors of buildings. Both hydraulic truck cranes and boom trucks are used to move heavy objects in a safe manner to where they need to go. 

Hydraulic Cranes

Hydraulic truck cranes have built-in internal hydraulic systems to lift and move heavy objects. These trucks include an enclosed cab (for the operator) as well as a steel base and a telescopic boom. Depending on the weight of the truck, these vehicles can move tens of thousands of pounds. The hydraulics employ pressurized fluids (such as oil) along with a pump system enabling the generation of lifting power in order to pick up loads. Hydraulic truck cranes may use gear pumps or variable-displacement pumps. Either way, they can lift things such as concrete blocks, bricks and metal frames. Because they’re mobile, they’re used in many places for many purposes. 

Boom Trucks

A boom truck, at its core, is a truck equipped with a hydraulic crane. This integration allows it to transport materials and perform lifting tasks, providing a two-in-one solution that enhances productivity and reduces the need for multiple vehicles. The crane, or “boom,” can extend and retract, providing both vertical and horizontal reach, making it suitable for all sorts of jobs.

Are Boom Trucks and Hydraulic Cranes the Same Thing?

Is a boom truck the same thing as a hydraulic truck crane? Not really. With a boom truck, you’ve got a hydraulic crane that has been mounted on a commercial truck chassis. So, a wide range of vehicles may be called “boom trucks.” They are less heavy-duty than hydraulic crane trucks, and able to move about job sites easier and faster– plus they drive like regular trucks and are easy to drive on public roads, so that helps make them quite versatile.

Boom trucks are usually fixed cab (where the cabin is positioned in one direction permanently) or swing cab– where the cabin moves/rotates along with the boom. When there are loads weighing less than 54 tons, boom trucks work well. 

Summary

Hydraulic Cranes are ideal for large, heavy-duty projects that require significant lifting capacity and reach. They offer versatility and power but come at a higher cost and require more extensive setup.

Boom Trucks are best suited for jobs that require frequent movement and lighter lifting. They provide convenience, mobility, and faster setup at a lower cost, but with limitations on lifting capacity and reach.

The choice between the two depends on the specific requirements of the job, including the weight and height of the lifts, the terrain, the need for mobility, and budget constraints.

Do you need to lift and move things? How heavy are the things you need to move? What’s the radius required for the lifts? Does the crane you think you want need to move between job sites? These are some questions to ask yourself; Then call Astro Crane to ask about renting cranes: 978-429-8666. Astro Crane serves the New England region including Boston, Providence and Hartford.