Truck crane (telescopic boom truck crane)

01

Read the load chart: capacity, moment, radius and boom

SANY's STC250T5 truck crane page lists a 25 t maximum lifting capacity, a five-section U-shaped boom from 10.7 m (basic) to 41 m (fully extended), 49 m with the fixed jib, maximum lifting heights of 11.2, 41.5 and 49.5 m, maximum lifting moments of 1,142 kN·m on the basic boom, 727 kN·m on the full boom and 390 kN·m with the jib, an outrigger span of 6.4 × 5.35 m, a 6×4×2 chassis and 88 km/h maximum travel speed. [1]

Editorial calculation: the 25 t maximum is about 245 kN, which at the basic-boom moment of 1,142 kN·m corresponds to a radius of about 1,142 / 245 ≈ 4.7 m; at full extension the 727 kN·m moment allows about 727 / 9.81 ≈ 74 t·m, for example roughly 3.7 t at 20 m. These are moment checks only; the maker's load chart for the boom and outrigger setting governs every lift. [1]

Editorial note: send the supplier each critical lift (load, radius, height, rigging weight) so the load chart can be checked for the boom and outrigger configuration that the site allows.

Give the supplier the heaviest and furthest lifts with radii and heights, rigging weights, site access and outrigger space, ground bearing capacity and mats, road regulations for travel (axle loads, dimensions), operating climate, operator and inspection requirements, and the standard the crane must meet.

02

Check required safety devices and operational aids

OSHA's construction crane rule 29 CFR 1926.1415 requires a crane level indicator, boom stops (except hydraulic booms), jib stops if a jib is fitted, locks on foot-pedal brakes, an integral holding device or check valve on hydraulic outrigger and stabilizer jacks, and a horn, with no alternative measures allowed when they fail. [2]

Section 1926.1416 lists operational aids: a boom angle or radius indicator readable from the operator's station, jib angle indicator for luffing jibs, anti two-blocking devices on telescopic boom cranes made after 28 February 1992, and for cranes over 6,000 lb rated capacity made after 29 March 2003 a load weighing device, load moment (rated capacity) indicator or limiter; outrigger or stabilizer position sensors and hoist drum rotation indicators are Category II aids, to be repaired within 30 days. [2]

Editorial note: ask the supplier which of these devices are fitted as standard, how the load moment system is calibrated for each boom and outrigger configuration, and what certificates come with the crane.

03

Compare two 25 t truck cranes row by row, including travel weight and emissions

XCMG's XCT25_Y1 page describes a 3-axle, 25 t truck crane with a 4-section 33.5 m boom and an 8.15 m fixed jib, listing a lifting capacity of 6.1 t with boom and jib fully extended. Its parameter table gives a maximum hoist height of 41.6 m, a maximum load moment of 941 kN·m, an SC7H260Q3 drive engine of 192 kW, 4×2 drive and steering, 85 km/h driving speed, a dead weight in travel state of 24,510 kg, dimensions of 12,207 × 2,500 × 3,450 mm and emission standard China III. [4]

Set beside SANY's STC250T5, the two cranes share the 25 t headline but differ in boom length, moment and chassis, as the table shows. Editorial calculation: at 25 t (about 245 kN), the XCT25_Y1's 941 kN·m corresponds to a radius of about 3.8 m, against about 4.7 m for the STC250T5's 1,142 kN·m basic-boom moment; the SANY figure is about 1.21 times the XCMG figure. As before, this is a moment check only, and each maker's load chart governs. [4] [1]

Editorial calculation: 24,510 kg spread over three axles would average about 8,170 kg per axle, but the real split between front and rear axles is not on the page. Road-travel limits apply per axle, so ask the supplier for the axle loads in travel state with the counterweight and jib carried, and check them and the 2,500 mm width against the roads to site. The page lists emission standard China III; state the emission standard required where the crane will be registered. [4]

04

Truck cranes and truck-mounted cranes on supplier lists

The suppliers reviewed list truck cranes and truck-mounted cranes; ask each for the full load chart, boom and jib lengths, outrigger spans, chassis and engine, safety devices and operational aids, and road-travel weights and dimensions.

05

Plan thorough examinations and the papers that go with the crane

The UK Health and Safety Executive's LOLER code (L113, 2014) requires lifting equipment exposed to deteriorating conditions to be thoroughly examined at least every 12 months, or at least every 6 months for equipment lifting persons and for lifting accessories, or under an examination scheme, and again after exceptional circumstances. Equipment may not leave a business, or be used when received from another business, without physical evidence that the last thorough examination was done. New equipment needs no examination before first use only if it is unused and comes with an EC declaration of conformity made not more than 12 months before it is put into service. [3]

HSE's guidance says the competent person should complete and forward the examination report within 28 days, and that reports under the periodic regime must be kept until the next report or for two years, whichever is later. For a mobile crane with a telescopic jib, whose safe working load varies with radius and configuration, including outriggers set or 'free on wheels', HSE expects the SWL for each configuration to be marked or available to the operator, and lists rated capacity indicators and limiters as the devices for high-risk work such as construction. [3]

Editorial note: for UK work, ask the supplier for the declaration of conformity with its date, the first thorough examination report, the load charts for every outrigger setting and on-wheels duty, and confirmation that the rated capacity limiter covers each configuration.

06

Chassis, telescopic boom, slew, outriggers and the safety devices

07

Load chart, reach and travel-state numbers a crane offer should carry

Maximum capacity and boom length are headline numbers; the working radius for your loads and the travel-state weight are the rows that decide whether the crane suits the lift and the road.

08

Send the lift, site and road data together

Paste it into your enquiry below or into an email to a maker, then replace every bracket.

Lifts: [load; radius; height; rigging]
Site: [outrigger space; ground bearing]
Road: [axle limits; dimensions]
Crane: [load chart; boom; jib]
Safety: [devices; LMI; anti two-block]
Compliance: [standard; inspection; operator]
Support: [service; parts]

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