What Is a Crawler Crane?
A crawler crane is a type of mobile crane designed for demanding lifting operations where high capacity, stability and flexibility are required. Unlike wheeled mobile cranes, crawler cranes are built around a tracked undercarriage and are commonly used on major construction, infrastructure and heavy lifting projects.
How Does a Crawler Crane Work?
Crawler Tracks
The crawler tracks distribute the crane’s weight across a relatively large contact area and provide mobility across suitably assessed site surfaces without the outrigger setup used by many mobile cranes. Ground conditions and crane loading must still be considered as part of the planned operation.
Where the crane and configuration permit, a crawler crane can also travel with a suspended load, provided the movement remains within the manufacturer’s operating parameters and the agreed lifting procedure.
Boom System
The boom forms the crane’s main lifting structure. Crawler cranes may use lattice or telescopic boom systems, with the configuration selected around the required lifting operation. Each type is covered in greater detail below. Its length, angle and configuration influence the working radius and available lifting capacity.
Counterweights
Counterweights form part of the crane’s configured stability system, counterbalancing the load and boom. The required counterweight arrangement depends on the crane configuration and lifting duty, and available capacity is determined by the relevant load chart.
Operator Cab
The Crane Operator controls the crane from the cab, working as part of the wider lift team. Depending on the operation, this can include the Appointed Person, Lift Supervisor and Slinger/Signallers, with suitably experienced personnel allocated to the complexity of the work.
Types of Crawler Cranes
Lattice Boom Crawler Cranes
A lattice boom is formed from connected steel sections arranged in a truss structure, providing high strength while limiting the weight of the boom itself. The boom is assembled from modular sections to achieve an approved configuration suited to the planned lifting operation.
Lattice boom crawler cranes are commonly selected for major lifting operations requiring high capacity and substantial working radii. Some of the most common crawler crane uses with lattice booms include wind turbine installation, bridge construction and heavy industrial projects.
Telescopic Crawler Cranes
A telescopic boom consists of nested sections that extend and retract to provide different boom lengths without assembling separate lattice sections. This allows the boom length to be adjusted relatively quickly and can provide greater flexibility where site access or available working space influences crane selection.
Their variable boom length can be useful where lifting requirements change across different positions or stages of a project. Depending on the model, a telescopic crawler crane may also provide advantages where site access or available working space influences crane selection.
Key Advantages of Crawler Cranes
Stability on Suitable Ground
The wide-tracked undercarriage provides a large supporting footprint and can offer good stability and mobility on suitably prepared and assessed surfaces. Ground conditions remain a critical consideration in planning and crane setup.
High Lifting Capacity
Crawler cranes are available in high-capacity configurations for major lifting operations. Actual lifting capacity depends on factors including crane model, boom configuration, counterweight, working radius and the relevant load chart.
Ability to Operate on Rough Terrain
Crawler tracks can provide useful mobility on off-road and construction sites where the assessed access route and working surface are suitable for the crane. Some crawler cranes can also travel with a load where the crane configuration, route and operating limits permit.
No Required Outriggers
Crawler cranes are supported through their tracked undercarriage rather than the outrigger arrangement used by many mobile cranes. This allows the assembled crane to retain mobility on site where conditions and the planned operation permit.
Mobility on Site
Crawler cranes can relocate within a site while assembled, subject to the crane configuration, travel route and specified operating limits. This can reduce the need for repeated dismantling and reassembly when lifting is required in different areas of the same site.
Common Applications for Crawler Cranes
Construction Projects
Crawler cranes are used on construction projects requiring combinations of high capacity, working radius and on-site mobility. These cranes are commonly used in high-rise buildings and structural steel installation for the construction industry.
Infrastructure and Civil Engineering
Crawler cranes support major infrastructure and civil engineering lifting operations, including the construction and maintenance of bridges, roads and rail infrastructure. Their high-capacity configurations and on-site mobility can be particularly useful where large structural components need to be positioned.
Renewable Energy Projects
High-capacity crawler cranes can support renewable-energy projects, including wind-sector lifting where the crane specification, access, working area and ground conditions are suitable for the planned operation. Different boom configurations can be selected to meet the required lifting height and working radius.
Industrial and Manufacturing Sites
Crawler cranes may also support industrial lifting projects where their capacity, configuration and available site space suit the operation. They can be used for tasks such as installing or relocating heavy plant, structural components and other large equipment, particularly where high lifting capacity or on-site mobility is required.
Key Safety Considerations for Crawler Crane Operations
Crawler crane operations require detailed planning around the crane configuration, load, site conditions and operational hazards. Key considerations include:
- Lift planning: Establishing the scope of the lifting operation, load requirements, crane configuration, working radius, site conditions and suitable lifting procedure.
- Ground conditions: The access route and crane working area need to be assessed against the loads imposed by the crane, with the relevant ground and temporary works responsibilities established for the project.
- Weather conditions: Wind is a critical operating consideration and must remain within the limits specified for the crane and configuration. Lightning and other site-specific weather conditions may also affect operations.
- Competent personnel: Crane Operators and other lift-team members must have the competence and qualifications required for their roles, with personnel selected to suit the complexity of the operation.
- Standards and legal requirements: Lifting operations should be planned and carried out with reference to the relevant requirements and guidance, including BS 7121 and LOLER where applicable.
- Operational boundaries: Suitable exclusion zones should separate the lifting operation from unauthorised site personnel and other activities, while defined physical boundaries may be required to keep members of the public clear of the working area.
How Are Crawler Cranes Transported and Assembled?
Large lattice crawler cranes are transported to site in a series of components using suitable transport vehicles before being assembled into the required configuration. Transport requirements vary by crane type and configuration, with some smaller crawler cranes requiring fewer transport movements than large lattice machines.
For lattice boom crawler cranes, the project scope determines the crane configuration, with approved sections selected to achieve the required boom arrangement. Counterweights are installed during assembly in line with the planned configuration.
Factors to Consider Before Hiring a Crawler Crane
If you are planning on hiring a crawler crane for an upcoming project, it’s important to consider the different factors that may affect where this crane type is the best choice:
- Load weight and working radius: Required capacity changes with working radius and crane configuration, so both need to be established during crane selection and lift planning.
- Site access: Suitable access and working space are required for crane transport, assembly, operation and any supporting vehicles or equipment.
- Ground conditions: The crane access route and working area need to be suitable for the loads imposed during assembly, travel and lifting operations.
- Lift height: The required lifting height influences boom configuration, working radius and crane selection.
- Crane configuration: The required capacity, radius, lifting height, site access and programme all influence whether a lattice or telescopic crawler configuration is suitable.
- Available space: The footprint of the selected crane, assembly area, travel route and required working radius all need to be considered against the available site space.
Benefits of Hiring a Specialist Crawler Crane Company
Crawler crane projects can involve substantial planning, technical and logistical requirements. Ainscough combines crawler-crane capability with the technical expertise needed to assess lifting requirements, crane configuration, access and operational constraints.
Some of the benefits of hiring a specialist crawler crane company include:
- Technical lift support: Where Ainscough is responsible for lift planning, the lifting operation is developed around the load, crane configuration, working radius, site conditions and operational requirements.
- Site assessment: Where required, site inspections can help establish access, crane position, proximity hazards, site conditions and other factors relevant to the lifting operation.
- Operational safety: Ainscough applies defined competency, inspection and operational procedures alongside lift planning where this forms part of the agreed service.
- Experienced personnel: Suitably trained and competent Crane Operators and lift-team personnel are allocated according to the requirements and complexity of the operation.
- Engineering support: Ainscough can provide technical support around crane configuration, lift planning and associated project requirements where this forms part of the agreed service.
Looking To Hire A Crawler Crane for Your Next Project? Get In Touch Today
Ainscough has more than 50 years of experience supporting lifting operations across the UK, with technical expertise and crawler-crane capability for complex project requirements. Our team can assess the lifting requirement and identify a suitable crane and configuration for the planned operation.
Call our team on 0800 272 637 or email us at info@ainscough.co.uk to discuss your requirements. Alternatively, fill out our contact form and one of our experts will be in touch shortly.