A service truck crane can bring a slew of time-saving and effort-saving benefits to contractors and business-owners alike.

Truck mounted cranes can be a key difference-maker between a job taking a few hours or a job taking a few minutes (especially when it comes to cargo and material handling).

When it comes to selecting the right service truck crane for your business, there are key terms that you should be aware of to make certain you get a crane that will best serve your work.

Below, we have defined some of these key terms to make the process a little easier.

Boom Tip Hydraulics (for attachments)

A boom tip hydraulic system is ideal for service truck cranes that may be utilized for multiple functions on a jobsite. The “boom tip” or end of the crane boom is outfitted with a hydraulic system that allows for interchangeable attachments to be configured for different functions. This can range from a fork attachment for lifting pallets to a claw attachment for lifting waste materials out of an area.

PTO or Power Take Off

PTO is an optional power source for a truck mounted crane that derives its energy from an alternative source on the truck (commonly the engine). PTO allows for a running motor to power the crane, and it is a common option on most mobile hydraulic crane set ups.

Max Load

This is the number that will give you an indicator of how much weight can be moved by the crane at various configurations. Typically with service truck cranes, the max load will be the amount of weight that a crane can move at its shortest boom extension.

For example, with a JOMAC HFC-1815 crane, the max load is 3,000lbs and that is with the crane boom extended 6 feet.

Every crane operator should refer to the crane specification manual to determine what the max load at any configuration should be.

A-Frame Outriggers

A-frame outriggers are a stability feature in which the two frames form a 45 degree angle on both sides of the service truck. A-frame outriggers are most commonly found at the head of the truck body and their 45 degree design form the shape of an A.

H-Frame Outriggers

H-frame outriggers or “out and down” outriggers are a stability option with most service truck cranes. The stability mechanism or “outrigger” extends out from the base of the service truck forming a right angle on each side. The outriggers produce an H-shape when extended, thus the name.

Slewing Ring

A slewing ring is a rolling bearing that allows the crane to rotate from side to side while maintaining a high degree of control and strength. It is a ring-shaped bearing typically used at the base of the crane. It enables cranes to be mounted in different areas on the service truck body, due to the high degree of mobility it permits.

Weight Capacity at Max Horizontal Reach

Weight capacity at maximum reach is a weight rating that gives operators the absolute highest amount of weight that a crane can lift when it is extended to its longest reach.

This number can be useful when positioning the truck to lift certain cargo types that may necessitate a long extension to be reached.

It can also be used a benchmark number when operators and owners are selecting a service truck crane, and it is dependent upon how far the anticipated reach of the crane will be for day-to-day operations.

While there are a ton (get it?!) of additional technical terms when it comes to crane-talk, this is a good jumping off point if you are considering adding a service truck crane to your fleet.

If you are interested in mobile knuckle boom or telescoping boom cranes manufactured in the USA, JOMAC can be of assistance.

Please click here to view our extensive line of mobile service truck cranes.