In many industries, nothing works without them. The cranes themselves are as diverse as their areas of application. This article provides an overview of the different crane types and explains their characteristics and areas of application.

Different crane types and their properties

Cranes are used in warehouses, harbours, railway stations and many other places. The characteristics of cranes also change depending on where they are used and the type of load. Here you will find an overview of the most important crane types and their typical places of use. 

Tower crane

Tower cranes are what most people imagine a "crane" to be. They are mostly used on construction sites, more specifically for building construction projects. They have a high load capacity and reach and can efficiently transport building materials such as concrete, steel or large components.

Mobile crane

Unlike the tower crane, the mobile crane can be used very flexibly as it is mounted on a vehicle and is not stationary. Mobile cranes can also be set up and dismantled relatively quickly. The high degree of flexibility makes them ideal for temporary use or short-term lifting work. They are often used in the infrastructure and assembly sector, for example in bridge construction, in industry or for rescue operations.

Lorry loading crane

A lorry-mounted loader crane is a kind of combination of transport vehicle and crane. It is extremely compact and can therefore also be used where space is limited - for example on narrow construction sites. 

Crawler crane

Crawler cranes are very powerful, versatile cranes. They are characterised by their relatively high lifting capacity and stability. These cranes enable heavy loads to be lifted safely even without additional support structures. Thanks to their crawler chassis, they can also be used on rough or soft terrain, e.g. in mud. 

Overhead crane

Overhead cranes are usually used in larger production halls or warehouses. There they move heavy loads on rails. An overhead crane is characterised by its high precision when lifting and transporting loads and is therefore ideal for industrial applications, for example in production.

Gantry crane

A gantry crane is similar to an overhead crane, but has supports on the ground. This allows it to lift particularly heavy loads such as containers. Gantry cranes are mostly used in shipyards, harbours and industrial plants, where they have to move large and heavy loads efficiently and reliably.

How do I find qualified personnel for cranes?

The cranes mentioned in this article must be operated by experienced crane operators. Special training and a valid licence are required for operation. Crane licence necessary.

However, employing suitably qualified specialist staff is a major challenge for many German companies. The shortage of skilled labour sends its regards. 

In order to find qualified specialist staff for your company despite a shortage of skilled labour, temporary work is recommended. This is a personnel solution that is very popular thanks to its flexibility and cost efficiency. 

Temporary work means borrowing labour from another company for a certain period of time. The workers are therefore not employed by your own company, as is the case with conventional permanent employment. For you, this means greater flexibility, lower costs - and the possibility of employing new staff (temporarily) at short notice if required.

Find specialised personnel for different crane types

You now know what different types of cranes there are, what features characterise them - and how you can find the right personnel to operate them! 

If you have any further questions on the subject of cranes - or if you would like to know how we can help you to employ qualified personnel for your company through temporary work - then contact our team! We look forward to receiving your enquiry.

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