A truck crane drives in, spreads its outriggers and lifts, which suits one-day jobs on Chicago's tight streets. The parking lane or the alley is usually the set-up spot, so permits and cleared cars come first.
A mobile or truck crane drives to the site on its own wheels, sets its outriggers and is ready to lift without being put together on site. That makes it the usual choice for lifts in Chicago that take a few hours: a rooftop unit, a set of beams, a hot tub or a tree. All-terrain cranes are a type of mobile crane that can drive on the road and handle rougher ground at a job site.
The catch in the city is space. A truck crane needs room for its outriggers, which spread wider than the truck, plus solid ground or pads under each one. On a street of two-flats, that space is usually the parking lane or the alley, and cars may have to be cleared ahead. Overhead wires and parkway trees can limit where the boom swings.
Size is set by the lift, not by what sounds big. The crane's load chart shows how much it can lift at each distance from its center, and capacity drops as the boom reaches out. A load that sits 60 feet back from the street over a two-flat may need a much bigger crane than its weight suggests. We work that out before we quote.
Mobile & truck cranes in Chicago: common questions
How much room does a truck crane need?
It needs the length of the truck plus room for the outriggers on both sides, and a clear path for the boom. The exact space depends on the crane. We measure it on the site visit.
Can a truck crane park on a Chicago street?
Often, with the right permits. Equipment in the public way goes through CDOT, and the City requires a Department of Buildings permit before a crane is used.
What is the difference between a truck crane and a boom truck?
A boom truck is a truck with a smaller crane mounted on it, good for lighter lifts and deliveries. A truck crane is a dedicated crane on a truck carrier, used for heavier or longer-reach lifts.
How it works
- Free site look: Call, text or send photos. We look at the load, the access and where the crane can set up.
- Lift plan & written quote: Crane size, crew, time on site and price in writing.
- Permits & set-up: We check which street, sidewalk or airspace permits the lift needs before the day.
- Lift day: The crew sets up, rigs the load, makes the lift and packs up.