What Service Crane Is Right for Your Truck Application? | Electric Crane, Electric Hydraulic Crane, & Hydraulic Crane

Service cranes are very beneficial equipment for all industries to handle the lifting, transporting, and moving massive objects. You might have a service truck outfitted for light-duty repairs, industrial services, or heavy-duty construction, and selecting the right service crane is essential to making the most of your fleet. Auto Crane’s wide range of electric truck cranes, electric hydraulic cranes, and hydraulic truck cranes meets the varied requirements. Here’s everything you need to know to determine the best crane for your truck application.

Understanding Service Cranes

A service crane is a versatile lifting device mounted on a service truck, designed to assist in loading, unloading, and positioning heavy equipment or materials. These cranes are vital for technicians, contractors, and fleet operators, enabling efficient, safe handling of loads in the field.

Key factors to consider when selecting a service crane include:

Lifting Capacity: How much weight the crane can lift safely.
Reach: The maximum horizontal or vertical distance the crane can extend.
Duty Cycle: How often and for how long the crane will be used.
Power Source: Electric or hydraulic operation.

Types of Auto Crane Service Cranes

Auto Crane offers three primary types of service cranes: electric cranes, electric-hydraulic cranes, and hydraulic truck cranes. Each type has unique features designed to meet specific operational requirements.

1. Electric Cranes (EC Series)

Electric cranes are designed for light-duty lifting tasks and are ideal for smaller trucks or applications where quiet, efficient operation is a priority.

Features:

Lifting Capacity: Up to 2,000 lbs.
Moment Rating: 6,000–6,500 ft-lb.
Boom Reach: 5 ft to 9 ft, depending on the model.
Control Options: Manual or hardwired electric controls.
Operation Speed: Moderate (9–30 ft/min).
Weight: Lightweight (230–385 lbs).

Benefits:

Compact and lightweight, saving space and payload capacity on small truck cranes.
Quiet operation, perfect for residential or noise-sensitive areas.
Low installation and maintenance costs due to the absence of hydraulic systems.

Ideal Applications:

HVAC maintenance.
Light utility service.
Small-scale equipment repairs.

2. Electric-Hydraulic Cranes (EHC Series)

Electric-hydraulic cranes combine the ease of electric operation with the enhanced performance of hydraulic systems, making them suitable for medium-duty tasks.

Features:

Lifting Capacity: 3,200–6,000 lbs.
Moment Rating: 10,000–36,000 ft-lb.
Boom Reach: Up to 20 ft.
Control Options: Wireless or proportional controls.
Operation Speed: Faster than electric cranes (30–36 ft/min).
Weight: Medium weight (710–1,670 lbs).

Benefits:

Proportional controls allow for smoother, more precise operations.
Better suited for continuous or longer duty cycles.
Lower installation cost
Easier to install
Reduced system weight
Continuous rotation options
Low vehicle RPM operation

Ideal Applications:

Utility fleet operations.
Medium-scale construction.
Industrial equipment maintenance.

3. Hydraulic Cranes (HC Series)

Hydraulic truck cranes are the most robust option, engineered for heavy-duty operations in demanding environments. They offer superior lifting power and continuous operation.

Features:

Lifting Capacity: 6,000–14,000 lbs.
Moment Rating: 35,000–85,000 ft-lb.
Boom Reach: Up to 30 ft.
Control Options: NexStar 4 proportional controls for precision.
Operation Speed: High (55–60 ft/min).
Weight: Heavier (1,390–3,200 lbs).

Benefits:

Designed for sustained, heavy-duty use.
High-speed operation for improved efficiency.
Advanced control systems for precise handling of large loads.
Continuous duty cycle (with proper cooling)
Full proportional capabilities
Multi-function capabilities
Stable operating speeds at high loads
Higher reliability (fewer parts)

Ideal Applications:

Heavy construction.
Large-scale industrial maintenance.
Infrastructure projects require extensive lifting capabilities.

Besides, Auto Crane offers intelligent service cranes with NexStar system, which offers remote control, fully proportional control of crane functions at 100% capacity, overload protection based on lift arm position, and AutoDeploy / AutoStow features. (Visit products here)

Choosing the Right Service Crane for Your Needs

Selecting the right service crane depends on your specific operational requirements. Here’s a quick guide:

Requirement	Recommended Crane
Light-duty, occasional use	Electric Cranes (EC Series)
Medium-duty, versatile tasks	Electric-Hydraulic Cranes (EHC Series)
Heavy-duty, continuous operation	Hydraulic Truck Cranes (HC Series)

Key Considerations:

Truck Specifications: Ensure your truck’s chassis and GVWR meet the crane’s requirements.
Operational Environment: Consider noise sensitivity, payload constraints, and duty cycle.
Budget: Factor in initial costs, installation complexity, and long-term maintenance.

Why Choose Auto Crane?

Auto Crane’s product lineup is designed to meet the highest standards of durability, innovation, and safety. With advanced features like NexStar 4 proportional controls, aircraft-quality cables, and robust construction, Auto Crane ensures reliable performance across all crane types.

Additional Benefits:

Comprehensive 2-year warranty on all service cranes.
U.S.-based manufacturing and support for superior reliability.
Options tailored for every truck application, from small pickup trucks to heavy-duty industrial needs.

Choose the Right Service Crane for Your Application

Whether you are looking for an electric crane for light lifting, an electric-hydraulic crane for medium lifting, or a powerful hydraulic truck crane for heavy lifting, Auto Crane has you covered.

Check out all of Auto Crane’s service cranes to find the one right for your truck job. We will take your work to a higher level with creative, reliable, and efficient solutions to solve your biggest challenges.

Get in touch today and see why Auto Crane is the name you know for service cranes!