What Is a Crane Truck?

Short answer: A crane truck, in repair work, is a service or mechanic truck with a crane mounted on the body so a field technician can lift heavy parts such as wheels, transmissions, starters and engine components at the job site. Crane capacity, reach, outriggers, operator training and inspections all matter, and OSHA has standards covering cranes and hoists.

What it is used for

Mobile diesel and heavy equipment technicians often work far from a shop hoist. A crane on the service body lets one technician lift a wheel and tire assembly, a starter, a hydraulic cylinder or a transmission section safely. Crane trucks are common in heavy equipment field service, mining and construction support, and in some mobile truck repair businesses. See mobile service truck.

Key specifications

Rated capacity at a given reach. Capacity drops as the boom extends, so the load chart, not the headline number, decides what can be lifted.
Reach and rotation.
Outriggers or stabilizers to keep the truck stable during the lift.
Power source, electric or hydraulic.
Chassis weight rating. The crane, body, tools and parts must stay within the truck's ratings. See GVWR.

Safety and rules

OSHA addresses crane, derrick and hoist hazards in specific standards for general industry, maritime and construction, and has a separate standard for cranes and derricks in construction. Which rules apply depends on the crane type, its capacity and where it is used. A shop running crane trucks should check the applicable OSHA standards and the crane maker's manual for operator training, inspections and load chart use.

Good habits include a pre-use check of the crane, never exceeding the load chart, using outriggers on firm ground, keeping people clear of the load, and logging crane inspections and repairs.

Regulatory status of the truck

A heavier crane truck may be a commercial motor vehicle under 49 CFR 390.5, which can bring USDOT registration and inspection and maintenance rules into play. Weigh the finished truck and check its ratings.

Business angle

A crane truck costs more to buy and run than a basic service truck, so shops often price crane work or crane trucks at a separate rate. Put that on the rate sheet and the estimate.

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Questions

Does OSHA regulate service truck cranes?

OSHA has standards for cranes and hoists in general industry, maritime and construction. Which apply depends on the crane and where it is used.

Why does the load chart matter?

Capacity falls as the boom extends, so the chart sets what the crane can safely lift at each reach.