How To Choose The Right Truck-Mounted Crane for Your Needs

A truck-mounted crane, also called a loader crane, is installed on a compatible commercial vehicle for loading, unloading, and positioning cargo. It combines transportation with lifting, making it useful in construction, logistics, utilities, forestry, municipal services, and industrial material handling.

Xuzhou Fuman Special Vehicles Co., Ltd. manufactures truck-mounted cranes, including telescopic-boom and knuckle-boom models. The company also provides marine cranes, forestry cranes, grabs, hydraulic power units, accessories, and customized lifting solutions.

Choosing the right model requires more than comparing maximum capacities. Buyers must consider the load chart, lifting moment, working radius, boom type, installation space, hydraulic requirements, stabilizers, controls, and attachments.

Define Your Lifting Requirements

Begin by identifying the actual task:

• Maximum and typical load weights

• Required horizontal working radius

• Required lifting height

• Load dimensions and centre of gravity

• Daily operating frequency

• Working environment

• Required attachments

A crane normally reaches its maximum rated capacity only when the load is close to the crane column. As the boom extends, available lifting capacity decreases. Buyers should therefore select a crane according to both load weight and working radius.

Check the Load Chart and Lifting Moment

The load chart shows how much a crane can lift at different boom lengths and radii. A 20-ton crane cannot necessarily lift 20 tons at maximum reach.

Lifting moment provides another useful comparison:

Lifting moment = load weight × working radius

A lighter load positioned far from the crane may require more lifting moment than a heavier load close to the column. Use this calculation for preliminary selection, but rely on the manufacturer’s official load chart for the final decision.

Telescopic Boom vs Knuckle Boom

FUMAN supplies both major types of truck-mounted cranes.

A telescopic-boom crane is suitable for straightforward lifting at height. A knuckle-boom crane uses articulated sections that fold into a compact transport position and can position loads around obstacles.

Select the Right Crane Capacity

FUMAN offers loader cranes for light, medium, and heavy-duty operations.

The largest crane is not always the best choice. An oversized unit increases weight, installation requirements, and cost while reducing the truck’s available cargo payload.

Choose a crane that covers routine operations with a reasonable capacity margin.

Consider Installation Space

Installation space is important when the crane is mounted behind the truck cab. A compact folded structure helps preserve cargo-bed length.

The crane, truck chassis, subframe, cargo body, hydraulic system, and stabilizers must be designed as a complete installation. Important chassis factors include frame strength, axle capacity, wheelbase, mounting space, and weight distribution.

FUMAN supplies crane units, while the final vehicle configuration depends on the selected chassis and project requirements. Installation should be verified by qualified engineers or an approved body builder.

Confirm Hydraulic Requirements

The hydraulic system operates the boom, slewing mechanism, stabilizers, and compatible attachments. Buyers should confirm:

• Recommended hydraulic power

• Required flow rate

• Operating pressure

• Oil-tank capacity

• Filtration and cooling

• Power take-off compatibility

Insufficient flow may cause slow movements, while unsuitable pressure can affect performance or damage components.

The FUMAN 1 Ton Truck-Mounted Knuckle-Boom Crane, model F022KC-03, is designed for compact, light-duty applications.

Evaluate Reach and Stabilizers

Longer boom reach increases the working area but reduces lifting capacity at the outer radius. Determine the maximum distance between the crane column and the normal load-placement point, then check the capacity available at that distance.

Stabilizers transfer lifting forces to the ground and improve stability. Their span, extension method, setup space, and ground support requirements must suit the crane.

The ground should be firm and level. Soft soil, slopes, excavations, underground voids, or damaged pavement may create unsafe conditions. Stabilizers do not permit the crane to exceed its load chart.

Review Controls and Safety Functions

Available functions vary by model and configuration. Useful features may include:

• Emergency stop

• Overload warning or limitation

• Hydraulic pressure protection

• Boom-position monitoring

• Stabilizer monitoring

• Audible and visual alarms

• Remote control

Remote control can provide a clearer view of the load, but it does not replace proper operator training or control of the working area. Confirm which features are standard and which are optional.

Choose Suitable Attachments

Depending on the model and hydraulic system, FUMAN cranes can work with different attachments, including:

• Lifting hooks

• Timber grabs

• Material grabs

• Brick grabs

• Forks

• Augers

• Personnel baskets

Attachment weight reduces the remaining lifting capacity. Hydraulic attachments also require compatible flow, pressure, hoses, and controls.

Personnel baskets should only be used with crane systems specifically designed and approved for lifting people.

Heavy-Duty FUMAN Crane

For demanding applications, the FUMAN 20 Ton Truck-Mounted Knuckle-Boom Crane, model F460KC-05, provides a maximum rated lifting capacity of 20,000 kg.

Its published specifications include:

• Maximum lifting moment: 15 ton·m

• Recommended power: 37 kW

• Hydraulic flow: 60 L/min

• Hydraulic pressure: 28 MPa

• Installation space: 1,350 mm

• Crane weight: 6,300 kg

• Slewing angle: continuous 360°

Actual lifting capacity depends on the working radius, boom position, stabilizer setup, attachment, and final installation.

Maintenance and Manufacturer Support

Regular maintenance is essential for safe and reliable operation. Important inspection points include hydraulic hoses, cylinders, boom joints, structural parts, stabilizers, slewing components, mounting bolts, hooks, filters, and safety devices.

Before ordering, request:

• Technical specifications

• Official load chart

• Hydraulic requirements

• Installation drawings

• Operating and maintenance manuals

• Available certificates

• Spare-parts information

FUMAN also provides customization support. Boom configuration, controls, hydraulic systems, attachments, and installation dimensions can be discussed according to the application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the crane include a truck?

Not always. Many products are crane units for installation on a compatible chassis. Confirm the exact quotation scope before ordering.

Which boom type is better?

Telescopic booms suit direct lifting and vertical reach. Knuckle booms provide compact folding and flexible positioning.

Can the crane lift its maximum load at full reach?

Usually not. Available capacity decreases as the working radius increases. Check the load chart.

Can FUMAN cranes use grabs?

Compatible models can use suitable grabs and hydraulic attachments. Their weight and hydraulic requirements must be included in the selection.

What information does FUMAN need?

Provide the load weight, working radius, lifting height, boom preference, installation space, hydraulic requirements, attachments, and operating environment.

Conclusion

Choosing the right truck-mounted crane requires comparing the load chart, lifting moment, working radius, boom type, installation space, hydraulic requirements, stabilizers, controls, and attachments.

Xuzhou Fuman Special Vehicles Co., Ltd. manufactures telescopic-boom and knuckle-boom truck-mounted cranes for construction, logistics, utilities, forestry, and industrial material handling. Its product range also includes marine cranes, forestry cranes, grabs, hydraulic equipment, accessories, and customized solutions.

Providing accurate operating information helps FUMAN recommend a truck-mounted crane that delivers the required capacity and reach without unnecessary weight, complexity, or cost.