← Mobile Cranes

All-Terrain Crane

An all-terrain crane is a mobile crane built on a purpose-designed carrier that combines highway travel speed with off-road maneuverability. Multiple steering axles and all-wheel drive let it reach unprepared sites, while a long telescopic boom covers lifts that would otherwise call for a lattice crawler crane. Listed models in this class come from Liebherr.

Models

Documented per model listing

Maximum lifting capacity

Brands

How it works

An all-terrain crane pairs a multi-axle carrier with a rotating superstructure that holds the operator cab, winches, counterweight and a telescopic boom. The carrier drives to site on public roads, then hydraulic outriggers lift the machine off its tires and level it before any pick. Boom sections telescope out under hydraulic power, and jib extensions can be pinned on for extra height or reach. Capacity is governed by a load chart: the further the load is from the center of rotation, the less the crane can lift. On-board rated-capacity limiters monitor boom angle, extension and load, and warn the operator before the configuration is exceeded.

Types & variants

Compact all-terrain cranes: Short-wheelbase carriers built for congested urban sites, fast setup and single-operator travel.
Mid-range all-terrain cranes: General construction machines balancing capacity, boom length and roading weight for everyday structural lifts.
Heavy-lift all-terrain cranes: Multi-axle machines with large counterweight packages for plant, energy and infrastructure work.
Jib-equipped configurations: Fixed or luffing jibs added to the main boom for tall, long-radius or up-and-over lifts.

Key specifications

Specification	Typical range	What it means
Maximum lifting capacity	Documented per model listing	The heaviest pick at minimum radius; it anchors the crane's size class and load chart.
Main boom length	Documented per model listing	Sets hook height and working radius before any jib is rigged.
Axle count and carrier weight	Documented per model listing	Drives road permits, travel routing and ground bearing pressure on site.
Counterweight package	Documented per model listing	Ballast carried to balance the load; affects both the load chart and transport planning.

How the industry sizes it

The industry sizes all-terrain cranes by maximum rated capacity in tons at minimum radius, supported by axle count and main boom length. A machine is selected from its load chart working backwards from the heaviest planned lift and the radius at which it must be made, then checked against site access and ground bearing limits.

Applications

Structural steel erection on commercial and industrial builds
Bridge girder and infrastructure component placement
Plant, refinery and utility maintenance lifts
Wind, energy and telecom component installation
Tower crane assembly and dismantling
Rooftop mechanical and HVAC unit placement

Safety & operation

OSHA 1926.1400 (Subpart CC) governs crane work in construction: rigging must be inspected by a qualified rigger and a signal person used whenever the operator's view of the load path is obstructed.
Minimum clearance distances from energized power lines must be maintained per OSHA 1926.1407-1411, with a dedicated spotter when working near them.
Outriggers must be fully deployed on pads or mats rated for the ground conditions before lifting; ground bearing capacity is verified in the lift plan.
The operator works from the load chart for the exact configuration — boom length, counterweight, outrigger spread — and never relies on the limiter alone.

Standards & certifications

OSHA · 29 CFR 1926.1427: Operator certification requirement for cranes used in construction.
OSHA · 29 CFR 1926.1400 (Subpart CC): Cranes and derricks in construction — assembly, signals, inspections, power-line clearances.
ASME · B30.5: Safety standard for mobile and locomotive cranes — construction, inspection, operation.

Frequently asked

How does an all-terrain crane differ from a rough terrain crane?

An all-terrain crane travels on public highways at normal road speed and still works off-road, using multiple steering axles. A rough terrain crane is a slower, four-wheeled site machine that is hauled between jobs rather than driven on the highway.

Can an all-terrain crane drive to the site on its own?

Yes. The carrier is road-legal, though larger configurations often travel with counterweight and jib sections on separate trucks, with permits and escorts arranged by the hauler.

What certification does the operator need?

In US construction work, OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1427 requires operators to be certified by an accredited testing organization for the crane type and capacity, and employers must also evaluate each operator on the specific machine.