The towed crane, also known as a truck-mounted crane, is widely used for the hoisting and transportation of construction materials and other equipment in municipal construction, coal mine projects, and landscaping. The truck-mounted crane can be operated left or right and rotates 360 degrees in both directions. Made with military-grade quality, it is reliable, durable, and fast in operation. Available models include 2-ton, 3.2-ton, 4-ton, 5-ton, 6.3-ton, 8-ton, 10-ton, 12-ton, and 16-ton cranes, with options for straight or articulated arm configurations. With a basket attached to the boom, the vehicle is equipped for high-altitude work and can also be fitted with clamps for lifting various objects. It is an ideal multipurpose vehicle suitable for industries such as gardens, warehouses, ports, ships, and railways.

Choosing an Automotive Chassis

1、Choosing the Chassis Brand

The reliability of the chassis is crucial to the availability rate of the tow truck, and even more so to our income in our pockets. Choosing a reliable chassis is key to selecting a tow truck. Currently, domestic tow truck chassis brands generally include Dongfeng, Jiefang, Foton, and others. When choosing, it is recommended to opt for brands with a high local inventory, as they are more convenient for after-sales service and maintenance.

2. The undercarriage must match the crane's tonnage.

The undercarriage must match the crane's tonnage; fitting a large crane on a small vehicle results in poor stability and an increased risk of tipping over, as well as failing to utilize the crane's full lifting capacity.

Generally speaking, light commercial vehicles like the Dongfeng Dolicar usually come equipped with cranes ranging from 3.2 to 4 tons. Increasing the crane size can compromise the vehicle's stability. For 4x2 models (with a wheelbase of 3,900mm or more), 5 to 8-ton cranes are typically fitted. In the 6x2 configuration, cranes usually range from 8 to 12 tons, while 6x4 models are equipped with cranes from 12 to 16 tons. Some may inquire if it's possible to pair a large chassis with a smaller-tonnage crane. Technically, it is possible, but the的前提 is that a excessively light overall vehicle weight may affect the vehicle's registration, as each vehicle has specific requirements for unladen and total weight. Failing to meet these requirements can also impact the registration process.

Can I modify my own truck chassis into a trailer crane?

Theoretically, it can be modified, but the manufacturer advises against users modifying their own old chassis. There are two reasons: first, your chassis lacks the vehicle crane announcement, making it impossible to register; second, the crane chassis is composed of specialized truck chassis mounted with a crane, and the general chassis beam cannot withstand the immense pressure exerted by the crane.

Crane Selection:

Crane is a crucial component of a mobile crane, directly affecting its lifting capacity. Therefore, a quality mobile crane cannot be separated from a good crane.

1. Choosing Crane Brands:

There are numerous domestic manufacturers of crane equipment, including XCMG, Sany, Shangai Machinery, Shaoqi, Yutong, and Changxing. According to market feedback from customers, XCMG and Sany cranes are of good quality and offer satisfactory after-sales service, although they are on the pricier side.

2. Crane Capacity Selection:

The principle for selecting the crane tonnage is to ensure there is a certain margin in the lifting weight, which is beneficial for extending the crane's lifespan. Generally, the ideal lifting tonnage for a truck-mounted crane is between 70% to 90% of the crane's maximum lifting capacity.

When selecting the crane's tonnage, it's crucial to be clear. The maximum lifting capacity of the crane is achieved when the boom is at its shortest, and as the boom extends, the lifting capacity decreases exponentially. For example, a 10-ton trailer crane typically only has a lifting capacity of 10 tons within a伸缩 distance of 3 meters or less. At 5 meters, the lifting capacity drops to 5 tons, and at 8 meters, it's down to 2.3 tons.

3. Choice between Fixed Arm or Telescopic Arm:

Direct and telescopic arms each have their advantages, primarily for different working environments.

Arm ExtensionThe crane's advantages include its affordability and wide working radius, making it suitable for open environments and tasks such as simple vertical lifting. For general personal purchases, the choice is...Straight ArmThere is a considerable amount.

The advantages of the folding arm crane include high work efficiency and the ability to add accessories, though it comes at a higher price. The trailer-mounted folding arm crane is suitable for smaller spaces such as warehouses and factories, and is ideal for adding various accessories for specialized operations. Many businesses, warehouses, and ports opt for the folding arm crane for their operations.

4. Optional crane location selection

Common crane configurations include the central and rear-mounted types, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The central-mounted option is convenient for selecting the lifting position, while the rear-mounted type offers better stability during the lifting process. However, its biggest drawback is that it cannot accommodate excessively long cargo.

Generally speaking, telescopic boom crane trailers tend to have smaller lifting capacities and are often equipped with a mid-mounted design. For folding arm crane trailers, which have larger lifting capacities and require high stability, a rear-mounted design is commonly chosen.

The cargo box of a trailer crane is typically a flat-deck trailer.

The cargo box of a car-mounted crane is typically of the flat deck style, but flatbeds are also available. What people are most concerned about is the length of the cargo box, which is determined by the specifications of the car-mounted crane. Generally, for 4x2 models, the cargo box length is made from 5.8 meters to 6.1 meters, while for 6x2 and 6x4 models, it is usually 7.5 to 8.5 meters.

In summary, it's crucial to purchase car cranes from authorized manufacturers; we recommend visiting the physical factory for inspection before making a decision.