Crane Hire decisions begin with the task, not the badge on the machine.
01 / Crane types in the Australian hire market
Pick-and-carry cranes, widely known as frannas after the brand that popularised them, are articulated non-slewing cranes that can carry a load while travelling. They are a common sight on building and industrial sites for lifting steel, precast items and plant, and they set up quickly because they do not need to extend outriggers for many lifts. Their limitations are a non-slewing design and capacity that drops sharply with radius and slope, so they suit shorter-reach, repetitive work on firm, level ground.
Slewing mobile cranes cover a wide range. All-terrain cranes combine road travel with good off-road capability and are used for everything from air-conditioning plant on a roof to wind turbine components at the larger end. Crawler cranes travel on tracks, need to be transported in pieces and assembled on site, and suit long-duration heavy lifting, piling and infrastructure work. Tower cranes are erected for the duration of a building project, while city cranes are compact slewing cranes designed for tight urban streets and restricted setup areas.
02 / How crane sizing actually works
A crane's rated capacity, such as 60 t, applies only at a very short radius with full counterweight and outriggers extended. As the load moves further from the centre of rotation, the permitted load falls quickly. That is why a 20 t load at 20 m radius may need a crane rated far above 20 t. The crane's load chart sets the limit for each combination of boom length, radius and configuration, and the weight of hooks, slings and spreader beams counts as part of the load.
To size a crane, the supplier needs the heaviest item's weight and dimensions, where it is picked up and where it must be placed, the height it must clear, and where the crane can set up. Obstructions such as buildings, trees and powerlines often force a longer radius than expected. If the load weight is uncertain, find out from drawings, manufacturer data or a weighbridge docket rather than estimating. Many crane companies will inspect the site and prepare a lift plan for complex or critical lifts.
03 / Ground conditions, setup and approvals
Cranes transmit very high loads through their outriggers or tracks, and ground failure is a known cause of crane incidents. Tell the supplier about backfilled trenches, basements, suspended slabs, pits, soft ground and underground services near the setup area. Outrigger pads or crane mats spread the load, and some lifts require a geotechnical assessment of bearing capacity. Use Before You Dig Australia and site records to locate services, and never set up over a recently backfilled excavation without advice.
Many city lifts require approvals. Setting up on a road or footpath commonly needs a council or road authority permit, a traffic management plan and sometimes out-of-hours work. Working near overhead powerlines requires compliance with the network operator's exclusion zones, and in some cases a spotter or an isolation of the line. Tower cranes and cranes near airports can also trigger aviation-related requirements. Build approval lead times into the program, because a crane that arrives before the permit is issued simply waits on the clock.
04 / Licences, crew and lifting gear
Crane operation falls under Australia's high risk work licence scheme. Operators need the licence class that matches the crane, including classes for non-slewing mobile cranes, slewing mobile cranes by capacity range, vehicle loading cranes of 10 metre-tonnes or more, tower cranes and self-erecting tower cranes. Slinging loads and directing the crane operator generally requires a dogging licence, and more complex rigging work requires rigging licences. Crane hire companies supply licensed operators as part of wet hire, but ask to see licence details if your site requires them.
Confirm who supplies the lifting gear. Crane companies usually bring standard slings, shackles and chains, but specialised gear such as spreader beams, lifting frames, vacuum lifters or man boxes may need to be requested in advance. All lifting gear should be tagged, inspected and suitable for the load. If your own crew is doing the dogging, make sure they are licensed and familiar with the load. Agree who is responsible for signalling, tag lines and the exclusion zone before the first lift starts.
05 / Pricing structure and common extras
Mobile cranes are normally charged by the hour, with a minimum hire period that often applies even for a single short lift. Travel time from the depot is commonly charged, and for larger cranes, the counterweight may travel on separate trucks that are charged individually. Dogmen and riggers may be quoted as extra labour. Overtime, weekend and night rates, waiting time caused by site delays and cancellation fees are all worth clarifying in writing before the booking is confirmed.
Other charges can include crane mats or extra outrigger pads, lift plan preparation, site inspections, permits and traffic control, escort vehicles for oversize cranes, and assembly and dismantling time for crawler and tower cranes. For contract lifts, where the crane company takes on responsibility for planning and managing the lift, the price is typically higher than a standard crane hire, but the division of responsibility is clearer. Ask the supplier to state which arrangement applies.
06 / What separates a capable crane supplier
A good crane company asks detailed questions before quoting. If they commit to a crane size without knowing the load weight, radius and setup location, treat the quote with caution. Look for suppliers who provide lift plans for anything beyond routine work, explain the crane's capacity at your actual radius, and inspect the site when access or ground conditions are uncertain. Their operators should conduct pre-start checks and be willing to stop a lift that is not safe.
Ask about the crane's maintenance and inspection history, particularly for older units, and whether the company holds appropriate insurance for the value of the loads you are lifting. For repetitive or long-term work, check whether the same operator and crane can be scheduled throughout, since familiarity with the site improves both safety and speed. A supplier with a range of crane sizes can also offer a smaller or larger crane if the plan changes, avoiding a second supplier and another round of site inductions.
Field checklist
- Confirm the weight and dimensions of the heaviest load, including lifting gear.
- Measure the pick-up and placement radius from the likely crane setup position.
- Identify underground services, backfilled trenches and slabs near the setup area.
- Check whether road, footpath or powerline approvals are needed and allow lead time.
- Ask who supplies the dogman, rigger and any specialised lifting gear.
- Get travel time, minimum hours, counterweight transport and overtime rates in writing.
- Request a lift plan for heavy, tandem or complex lifts.
Frequently asked questions
What size crane do I need?
It depends on the load weight, the lift radius, the height and where the crane can set up. Because capacity falls as radius increases, the required crane is usually much larger than the load weight alone suggests. Give the crane company the load details, a site plan and photos of the setup area, and they can check load charts and recommend a crane size.
What is a franna crane?
A franna is a pick-and-carry crane, a type of articulated non-slewing mobile crane that can lift a load and travel with it. The name comes from the brand that made the design common in Australia. They are popular on building and industrial sites because they set up quickly, but their capacity drops with radius and slope and they cannot slew like other cranes.
Do I need a licence to direct a crane?
Slinging loads and directing a crane operator, particularly when the load is out of the operator's view, generally requires a dogging high risk work licence. Riggers hold separate licences that also cover dogging tasks. When you wet hire a crane, the company can usually supply a licensed dogman, which is often simpler than using your own crew.
Is crane hire charged by the hour?
Most mobile crane hire is charged hourly, with a minimum hire period and travel time from the depot. Extras such as dogmen, counterweight transport, permits, traffic control and overtime are commonly added. Tower cranes and crawler cranes are usually priced differently, with charges for transport, erection and dismantling plus a longer-term hire rate.