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“Mini cranes are problem solvers,” said John Carpenter, senior sales manager, North America at Maeda America Inc., the exclusive distributor of Maeda mini cranes in North America. “They access areas where conventional equipment can’t.”
Carpenter went on to list common and unique applications for mini cranes:
“The most common applications for mini cranes are prefab construction, including truss, frame, and panels, as well as roofing and light masonry,” said Michael Gnazzo, president of Innovativ Hoisting, the U.S. distributor of Böcker mini cranes. “Those cranes are ideal for these industries because they are compact enough to fit on tight jobsites, yet still have hoisting capacities high enough to lift typical materials and equipment.
“Our mini cranes are also used in unique applications where other equipment will just not work,” Gnazzo added. “One of the most unique applications we have seen was loading the crane onto a barge to install steelwork on a lighthouse at sea. The light overall weight and small footprint of the crane made it the perfect hoist for the job.”
Colt Vacek, special division product manager for the Jekko USA line at supplier Fascan International, said use within the construction industry is the most popular application for mini cranes. “They are used for many applications because some models are small enough to be lifted into high-rise construction buildings to work from floor to floor,” he related.
“Once inside, they can reach out openings and hoist materials up as needed,” Vacek continued. “They can also move from room to room easily and can be outfitted with manipulators to assist the lifting and installation of large glass panels and windows.”
There are also mini cranes geared for a single market. For example, Vacek pointed to a model created specifically for the tree care industry. The articulated, tracked machine is outfitted with a grapple saw. With a vertical reach of over 100 feet, it has a working footprint less than half that of a comparable truck mounted crane.
“Mini cranes find widespread use in several common applications such as steel erecting, glazing and general construction, and across various industries,” said George Schalk, VP sales at Smiley Lifting Solutions, the exclusive North American distributor for SPYDERCRANE mini-crawlers. “However, their versatility extends to some truly unique and specialized tasks as well.
“Notably, mini cranes play a crucial role in delicate operations like setting artwork in museums, navigating rugged terrain for pipe installation at locations like the bottom of the Grand Canyon and supporting the U.S. military in critical missions such as downed aircraft recovery,” Schalk explained further. “These unique applications showcase the adaptability and reliability of mini cranes in diverse and challenging environments.”
When Specifying a Mini Crane, a Company Should Consider Several Key Factors
Some of the factors to consider when choosing a mini crane are the size of the area where the machine will be used, the overall weight of the object being hoisted, the height of the object being lifted and the ground or floor support that is available, especially under load, Schalk advised.
“Additionally, when selecting a mini crane, customers should consider the availability of support and service,” Schalk added. “The manufacturer should be committed to supporting their products and customers, ensuring satisfaction and a good experience throughout the life of the machine.”
For Vacek, reach, capacity and weight are typically the three main factors to consider when selecting a mini crane. “But there are other aspects that need to be examined as well,” he said. “Ease of setup and operation are major factors that can have a substantial impact on the proficiency of the crane on the job.”
The load chart, according to Gnazzo, is one of the most important considerations when choosing a mini crane. “Take into consideration where the crane will be set up on the jobsite as well as the weight of materials so you can see if the crane has a hoisting capacity that works for your job,” he explained.
“Another factor is the overall footprint of the crane when set up as well as the total machine weight,” Gnazzo added. “A mini crane that can be transported without needing a commercial driver’s license can significantly reduce costs and logistical complexity.”
Carpenter said lifting capacity and reach, especially in constrained spaces, is a top consideration. “Also consider the dimensions of the crane and its mobility,” he added.
“Choose the right power source depending on the environment (indoor or outdoor) and look for safety systems that are the same as those you’d find on larger mobile cranes,” Carpenter continued. “Important as well are ease of transport and setup and having intuitive controls that allow operators to work safely and efficiently."
Latest Models
Böcker
At Böcker, mini cranes such as the AHK 36/118, have the latest technical developments. Some of the advancements include multi-positional outriggers with self-leveling, BöckerConnect software for remote diagnostics and GPS location, as well as wireless remote control.
Jekko USA
The latest model from Jekko is the SPX 328 mini crane for the rental market. Its design includes the Jekko dynamic pressure control system, which allows for precise load handling and jerk free movement. The technology is also tied into the Jekko touch control 10-inch touch screen that shows intuitive graphics of a live load chart and the stability area, and has an on-screen tutorial and crane assistant showing set up procedures and component locations.
Maeda America Inc.
The latest Maeda introductions into the North American market are the MC285CRMB-3 and MC305CRMB-3 mini crane models. Powered by lithium-ion batteries, the machines deliver the same speed and power as the manufacturer’s diesel and diesel/electric motor-powered models. The benefits of these models are zero emissions so the cranes can be operated indoors and on environmentally sensitive jobsites.
SPYDERCRANE
Some of the newest SPYDERCRANE mini cranes are wheeled pick and carry models, including the PC094 and PC295. Also recently introduced is the SPYDERCRANE URW1006 with a 22,300-pound capacity and 104-foot reach. Additionally, a new compact battery powered mini crane is now available from the company. It has a 7,121-pound capacity and 57-foot reach that is only 30-inches wide in travel mode.
Market Outlook
The mini crane market continues to grow as people find new ways to utilize these machines, noted Vacek. “The real driver is that they are economical to operate,” he said. “And most mini cranes are battery powered making them emissions free and nearly silent, which are requirements in some areas and applications.”
“The popularity of the mini-crawler crane has been slow over the years, but it is evolving,” Schalk said. “Every day, we learn about new applications and special needs from different industries that would like to use mini cranes.”
The market for Maeda mini cranes, especially battery-powered and telescopic boom crawler models, is gaining traction among many contractors because they are cost effective problem solvers, noted Carpenter. “Mini cranes are increasingly seen as a valuable and necessary tool because of their safety and ease of use.”
Gnazzo sees the mini crane market growing significantly over the next three to five years as more businesses realize the advantages of having cranes that can fit into compact areas and reach over 100 feet.
“Companies can greatly improve safety and increase productivity on jobsites when using mini cranes,” Gnazzo added. “And given the ever-growing labor shortage nationwide, more and more companies will realize the benefits of having hoisting on their jobsites that can help maximize productivity on site.”
