To the untrained eye, one crane may look just like another. They’re tall, made of metal, and often brightly coloured. But there are actually many different types of crane with various distinct benefits and uses. Primarily employed in construction, these different types of crane can facilitate a wide range of projects. Getting your choice of crane right as a construction project manager is crucial, as it could prove a deciding factor in the overall process.
We’ve compiled this guide to walk you through these different crane types, explaining their advantages and suggesting situations in which they might be most useful.
Tower Cranes
If you were to ask a child to draw a crane, the tower crane would likely be the end result. Tower cranes are the most widely recognized type of crane, and easily the most visible. These lanky pieces of machinery adorn our skylines across the UK and much of the globe, so it’s no surprise that they are often the first image that comes to mind.
With a counterbalance to the rear of the jib, these types of crane are most commonly used in the construction of buildings and skyscrapers. Some can stand higher than 250ft (approximately 76 meters) and boast a lifting capacity of up to 20 tonnes, making them perfect for large-scale jobs.
During construction projects, these cranes are typically fixed to the ground with a concrete base and huge bolts to keep them from moving—given the scale of operations these cranes are typically involved in, that stability is essential.
Mobile and Vehicle-Mounted Cranes
Placing a crane onto wheels might seem like a simple and straightforward concept, but this innovation has empowered construction companies to tackle even the most challenging terrains. For years, cranes had been permanent fixtures on building sites, remaining rigid and structured in one location. However, once the mobile crane was developed, new opportunities emerged for architects and planners, enabling them to build and expand into areas that would otherwise be difficult to reach.
Moving cranes around without a vehicle would be impossible, and with mobile (also referred to as vehicle-mounted) cranes, it’s possible to transport construction projects around the country far more quickly. As cranes often need to be moved and are rarely permanently in the same place, it makes complete sense that adding further flexibility and manoeuvrability would be a huge advantage.
NMT Crane Hire, as of Wednesday, July 23, 2025, boasts an abundance of mobile cranes in their arsenal, ranging from smaller 70-tonne cranes to their largest crane, the 700-tonne all-terrain crane.
Harbour Crane
Shipping and trading constitute one of the largest industries in the world. To accommodate the sheer size of the sector, a crane of similar stature is needed. Often referred to as container cranes, these machines operate on a rail system—a device that allows the cranes to move along tracks to seek the appropriate container.
Unsurprisingly, these behemoths can easily lift two 20-foot containers at once, making the task of processing thousands of containers a day a little less arduous.
Crawler Cranes
A crawler crane, while still a heavy-duty machine, offers great versatility for anyone needing to lift and move heavy materials. It features a set of tracks, or crawlers, instead of wheels, providing stability and mobility on uneven terrain.
This type of crane is preferred for projects requiring significant lifting capacity or when access to the site is limited. Its main advantages lie in its ability to manoeuvre on rough ground, distribute weight evenly, and lift heavy loads to considerable heights. Crawler cranes excel in projects like bridge construction, building skyscrapers, or handling materials in areas with restricted access.
Whatever the nature of your project, we’re confident here at NMT that we’ve got a solution for you. Get in touch with us today, on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, for a no-obligation initial chat, and we’ll work with you to establish which of our products would benefit you the most.