How Do Crane Trucks and Crane Truck Semis Work?
A crane truck puts the crane and the transport in one vehicle, so a load can be delivered and placed in a single movement. Here’s how the lift actually works, what outriggers have to do with capacity, and when a crane truck semi is the better call.
What Size Mobile Slew Crane Do I Need?
Crane size isn’t decided by the weight of the load. It’s weight plus radius plus height plus boom set-up plus ground conditions. Here’s the method crane crews actually use to size a mobile slew crane, and the five numbers to have ready.
What Is a Franna Crane and What Is It Used For?
A Franna crane — more formally known as a pick and carry crane — is a mobile, single-engine crane designed to lift a load and drive it to where it’s needed, without outriggers or set-up time. It’s one of the most common cranes on Australian construction sites, in mining, factories and workshops, and for heavy equipment installations.
“Franna” is actually a brand name. The Australian manufacturer Franna (now a Terex brand) made this class of crane so popular that the name is used generically for almost any articulated pick and carry crane — much like “Esky” or “Ute”.
Do You Need a Council Permit to Set Up a Crane on the Road in Melbourne?
Plenty of Melbourne lifts can’t be done from the property itself. Tight blocks, rear-access units, and inner-suburban streets often mean the crane has to set up on the road, footpath, or nature strip — and the moment it does, council permits come into play. Here’s what you need to know, and the short answer to the most common question we get: yes, your crane company can organise all of it for you.
What Is a Lift Plan and When Do You Need One?
If you’re booking a crane for the first time, you’ll probably hear the term “lift plan” before the crane arrives. It’s not red tape — it’s the document that turns a risky lift into a routine one. Here’s what a lift plan actually is, what goes into it, and when your job needs one.
How Much Does Crane Hire Cost in Melbourne? (2026 Guide)
Wondering what crane hire costs in Melbourne? See typical wet hire rates, what affects your price, and how to get an accurate quote from a local crane company.