●  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

What Is An Outrigger?

Published 25 January 2023

Doing heavy lifting is no easy feat, and having the right machinery to get it done quickly and safely can be a massive advantage. Outrigger cranes offer many advantages over traditional equipment like forklifts or other types of conventional machinery. In this blog post, we will explore the various benefits that outrigger cranes provide - from increased efficiency and higher productivity levels to cost savings on long-term projects - while outlining why they may be just what you need to maximise your heavy lifting operations.

What is an outrigger on a crane?

An outrigger is an additional support system that extends from the main body of a crane and increases its stability when used for heavy lifting or other operations. Outriggers are typically composed of four horizontal beams, known as booms, which spread outward horizontally and connect to footings at the ground level.

By anchoring the outrigger to the ground, it adds extra stability and helps to prevent a crane from tipping over when lifting heavy objects. It also prevents the crane from dragging or sinking into soft soil. Outriggers are an essential part of any mobile crane’s operation.

What are the benefits of outrigger cranes?

  • Outriggers provide increased stability and safety when operating, which increases efficiency levels and reduces downtime associated with lifting heavy objects.
  • Thanks to their increased stability and safety, outrigger cranes can lift heavier loads than other types of conventional machinery, which leads to higher productivity levels.
  • Outrigger cranes are highly efficient, meaning that they require less energy and resources to operate over time. This translates into cost savings for long-term projects.
  • Outrigger cranes are designed to be used in a variety of environments, from factories and warehouses to construction sites and outdoor areas. This versatility makes them an ideal choice for many different businesses.
  • Outriggers greatly reduce the risk of accidents involving tipping or other dangerous incidents when operating.

When to use an outrigger:

  • Outrigger cranes can help to reduce downtime associated with construction projects by providing a safe and efficient way to lift heavy building materials.
  • Outrigger cranes are great for lifting and moving large containers, pallets, or other heavy items within factories and warehouses.
  • Outriggers can help to quickly move shipping containers from one area of a yard to another.
  • Outrigger cranes are great for any situation that requires the lifting of very heavy objects, such as bridges and large pipes.

Outrigger cranes provide a number of significant advantages for businesses. By taking advantage of the benefits that an outrigger crane can offer, you can make sure that your business is getting the most out of its heavy lifting operations.

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