Crane truck hire remains one of the fastest ways to add lifting capacity without adding fixed cost. In 2026, several industries in South Africa rely on crane trucks to speed up projects, reduce site downtime, and simplify coordination. This guide highlights where crane trucks create the most value, which body types and capacities work best, and what site managers should request before booking.
Browse services on Crane Hire Services. For typical urban lifts, consider the 8 Ton With Crane For Hire. For heavy or oversized items, see the 20 Ton Flatbed With Crane For Hire.
Common lifts
Rebar bundles, shuttering, site cabins, generators, scaffolding, precast elements.
Best fit
8 to 20 ton flatbeds with rear mounted cranes. Outrigger pads for soft ground. Slings and chains to match certified load limits.
Site tips
Mark exclusion zones, confirm ground bearing pressure, and agree on a clear banksman signal set. Share a simple site map showing delivery windows and laydown areas.
Common lifts
CNC machines, presses, air receivers, boilers, conveyors, switchgear.
Best fit
Closed body units for weather sensitive equipment, plus a crane truck for loading and placement. Short booms with high capacity at close radius help in tight bays.
Site tips
Provide machine weights, center of gravity, and pick points. Confirm doorway dimensions and floor load ratings. Consider skates and a jack set for final positioning.
Common lifts
HVAC units, shopfront glazing, escalator components, signage, kiosks.
Best fit
8 ton crane trucks for mixed small lifts with repeated cycles. Curtain siders for delicate items that must stay clean and dry.
Site tips
Book early morning slots to avoid trading hours. Use shorter tray lengths for basement ramps. Request reversing cameras and quiet setup for noise sensitive areas.
Common lifts
Tower sections, microwave dishes, battery cabinets, solar inverters, containerised storage.
Best fit
Crane trucks with remote controls and fine feathering for accurate placement. Load spreaders and softeners to protect painted equipment.
Site tips
Share access road conditions, slope, and turning circles. For rooftop work, confirm the lift plan and verify parapet or roof edge protections.
Common lifts
Truss, lighting towers, stages, grandstands, broadcast cabins.
Best fit
Flatbeds with quick sling changeovers. Medium capacity cranes for fast setup and teardown.
Site tips
Provide a schedule with tight time codes. Mark underground services and cable routes. Keep a rain plan ready for surface protection and stability.
Common lifts
Crusher components, screen decks, pump sets, liners, chutes.
Best fit
Heavy flatbeds with higher capacity cranes, steel deck for rugged loads, and protection for hydraulic lines.
Site tips
Brief on haul road gradients and underfoot conditions. Confirm traffic controls and radio channels. Keep spares like shackles and edge protectors on hand.
Common lifts
Empty and light container handling, breakbulk, forklifts, reach stacker parts.
Best fit
Longer flatbeds with crane trucks capable of container corner lifting within safe limits. Twistlocks or container frames when specified.
Site tips
Coordinate time slots with terminal ops. Respect red lines and rail movements. Provide proof of delivery needs in advance to streamline gate processing.
Common lifts
Streetlight poles, culverts, pump station gear, traffic gantries, guardrails.
Best fit
Crane trucks with reach to set items beyond barriers. Traffic management kit, cones, and signage.
Site tips
Secure lane closures and wayleaves ahead of time. Provide detailed drawings so the operator can plan radius and outrigger setup from the shoulder.
Common lifts
Large format billboards, LED panels, rigging for lighting and sets.
Best fit
Compact crane trucks with radio remotes for precise positioning. Certified man baskets when permitted and planned correctly.
Site tips
Share wind limits for panels, obtain permits for night work, and confirm parking plans for narrow streets.
Common lifts
End to end plant relocations, packaging lines, transformers, chillers.
Best fit
A combined team, crane truck plus rigging crew. Short reach, high capacity cranes for indoor picks, with skates, toe jacks, and spreader beams ready.
Site tips
Request a site visit and a written lift plan. Provide a shutdown window, route survey, and floor protection requirements.
Which industries see the fastest time savings from crane truck hire?
Retail fit-outs, events, and telecoms typically gain the most because they involve many short, repetitive lifts where setup speed drives the schedule.
What capacity covers most urban commercial work?
An 8 ton crane truck handles a wide range of loads with good reach for city sites. For heavier plant or long reach, the 20 ton flatbed with crane is the safer choice.
Do I need a site visit before booking?
For complex or tight sites, yes. A short visit reduces risk and avoids last minute changes. Share weights, access notes, and timing, then let the team propose the right setup.
Can you provide rigging with the truck?
Yes. Certified slings, chains, spreader beams, and edge protection can be supplied. Confirm load details so the correct gear arrives first time.
Great projects start with the right match between load, site, and crane. Tell us what must move, where it must land, and when it needs to happen. We will assign the right unit and crew, then keep you updated until the job is signed off. See options on Crane Hire Services, compare the 8 Ton With Crane for city work, or book the 20 Ton Flatbed With Crane for heavier lifts.
