●  Ready to lift 24/7, day or night  |  Brisbane & South East QLD | Wagga Wagga & the Riverina

QLD  (07) 3184 0978     NSW  (02) 6925 2556

Superior Cranes
Crane hire

By crane type

Slew crane hire

All-terrain cranes, 35 to 350 tonnes

Franna crane hire

Pick and carry, 20 to 40 tonnes

City & small cranes

13 t city cranes for tight sites

Heavy lift cranes

150, 200, 230 and 350 tonnes

24/7 emergency lifts

Recoveries and urgent lifts

By capacity (tonnes)

Not sure what size you need? Send us the load and the distance and our lift planners will match the crane.

The whole fleet

30+ cranes, 13 to 350 t

Frannas, city cranes and all-terrain slew cranes, each with its load chart.

Services

Cranes & crews

Mobile crane hire

Wet hire with our own operators

Rigging & dogging

Crews for complex and multi-crane lifts

Plan & supervise

Lift planning & engineering

CAD lift studies by our in-house engineer

Lift supervision

Accredited supervisors on your site

Move it

Transport & heavy haulage

Low loaders, drop decks and semis

24/7 & shutdown work

Nights, weekends and possessions

Engineered in-house

A lift plan for every job

See how we plan, document and supervise.

FleetProjectsSafetyAbout

24/7 BOOKINGS07 3184 0978

Crane guides

How To Work Out What Capacity Crane You Need

Published 27 November 2022

When you are hiring a crane, it is important to make sure that you order the correct size. If you order a crane that is too small, it will not be able to handle the weight of the objects that you need to lift. If you order a crane that is too large, it will be expensive and inefficient. In this blog post, we will discuss how to work out what capacity crane you need for your project.

Why are there so many kinds of cranes?

There are many different types of cranes available, each designed for specific tasks. The capacity of a crane can vary greatly depending on the type and size of objects that need to be lifted. For instance, a smaller crane may be able to lift lighter weight items, while a larger one will be needed for heavier loads.

How do I calculate the weight of the goods I need to lift?

Gather all relevant information about your goods and add up their total weight. This should include any containers or packaging as well as any added weight from lifting devices.

How do I calculate the capacity of the crane I need?

In order to do this, multiply the weight by a safety factor depending on the type of goods being lifted and then add 15 to 20 percent extra capacity for additional overhead.

What other factors should I consider when hiring a crane?

When deciding on the size of crane you will need, there are a few other factors to consider. These include size and shape of the load, height and distance from the ground that needs to be traveled, distance between loading points, terrain conditions, and environmental conditions such as wind speeds. All these factors should be taken into account when calculating the capacity required for your crane.

Another important factor to consider is the lifting height. It is important to make sure that you hire a crane that can reach the required distance, as cranes with higher lifting heights come at an additional cost.

Once you have determined all of these factors, you will be able to work out what capacity crane you need. By taking the time to understand your needs, you can ensure that you hire the correct crane for your business and get the most out of your money.

We have a range of crane types available with different lifting capacities and height options, so feel free to contact us if you would like some advice on choosing the right crane for your project. Or, click here to check out our cranes.

Written by the Superior Cranes team

Our crews have been lifting across Queensland and the Riverina since 2012. These guides share what we have learned on site.

About Superior Cranes

Need a crew?

Crane, operator and dogman

We supply licensed doggers and riggers with every crane, 24/7, across South East Queensland and the Riverina.

Get a quote

Keep reading

More guides

22 September 2026

How Heavy Haulage Transport in Brisbane Safely Moves Oversized Loads

Moving oversized loads requires careful planning, specialised equipment, and experienced operators to ensure everything arrives safely at its destination....

Read the guide

22 September 2026

How to Prepare Your Crane Site Before Crane Hire Arrives

Hiring a crane is an important step for many construction, industrial, and commercial projects. However, successful lifting operations depend on more than...

Read the guide

24 August 2026

What Is a Concrete Crane and When Do You Need One?

Concrete is one of the most important materials on a construction site, but getting large concrete components into exactly the right position can be...

Read the guide

Let’s talk about your next project

Ready to lift 24/7

Brisbane | QLD

(07) 3184 0978

324 New Cleveland Rd, Tingalpa QLD 4173

Wagga Wagga | NSW

(02) 6925 2556

35-39 Copland St, Kooringal NSW 2650