15-30 ton Boom Truck
The 15-30 ton boom truck is the workhorse of commercial construction, handling rooftop mechanical equipment sets, precast panel installation, and mid-scale structural lifting. This size class bridges light-duty service work and heavier commercial applications, offering a balance of reach and capacity without requiring specialized transport permits in most jurisdictions. With lifting capacities from 13.8 to 27.2 tons and maximum reach extending to 78.7 feet, these truck-mounted cranes operate on standard commercial chassis.
Cat classes
Pick a size class — capacity and reach differ across the range.
Key specifications
| Specification | Typical range | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Lifting capacity | 30,424–59,966 lb (13.8–27.2 t) | Net capacity at minimum radius; determines maximum load the boom can handle |
| Max reach | 48.5–78.7 ft (14.8–24.0 m) | Horizontal reach at full extension; dictates placement distance from truck position |
How to choose
The 15-30 ton boom truck is appropriate for commercial projects requiring rooftop HVAC placement, structural steel erection up to mid-span beams, and precast concrete panel installation on buildings up to four stories. When lifting lighter mechanical components, fascia panels, or material bundles under 13 tons at moderate reach, the Up to 15 ton Boom Truck offers better maneuverability and lower operating cost. When projects involve heavy precast elements beyond 25 tons, long-reach structural placement, or lifts requiring more than 75 feet of horizontal reach, the 30+ ton Boom Truck provides the necessary capacity and stability.
What this size handles
- Setting packaged rooftop HVAC units on three- to four-story commercial buildings
- Erecting structural steel beams and columns for mid-rise construction
- Installing precast concrete panels on commercial and institutional facades
- Placing transformers and large electrical switchgear at utility substations
- Setting architectural precast elements and facade components
- Lifting and positioning heavy mechanical equipment in industrial facilities
Safety & operation
- Outriggers must be fully extended and properly cribbed on stable ground before lifting operations
- Load charts vary by outrigger configuration, boom angle, and extension; operator must verify capacity for each lift
- Ground conditions and slope affect stability; concrete or asphalt surfaces preferred over soil or gravel
- Overhead clearance must account for boom height at maximum extension and rotation radius
Transport & logistics
- Mounted on commercial truck chassis; self-propelled on highways without additional transport equipment
- Typical gross vehicle weight falls within single-unit truck limits; requires commercial driver's license (CDL) in most jurisdictions
- Boom sections stow on chassis for transit; no disassembly required between jobsites
Power & supply
- Hydraulic system powered by truck's diesel engine through power take-off (PTO) or auxiliary pump
- Engine must idle or run at operating RPM during crane operation to maintain hydraulic pressure
- No external electrical supply required for crane functions; truck fuel capacity determines operating duration
Frequently asked
How does lifting capacity change with boom extension and angle?
What ground conditions are required for safe outrigger setup?
How does this size compare to a standard hydraulic crane for similar capacity?
Compare popular models
Find by spec →Normalised to the same units. A dash means the figure was not published.
| Model | Lifting capacity | Max reach |
|---|---|---|
| Elliott 1870 BoomTruck | 35,274 lb (16 t) | 70 ft (21.3 m) |
| Manitex 1970 C | 41,888 lb (19 t) | 48.5 ft (14.8 m) |
| Manitex 2281 C/T | 48,502 lb (22 t) | 51.2 ft (15.6 m) |
| Manitex 26101 C | 57,320 lb (26 t) | 65.4 ft (19.9 m) |
| Tadano 1970C | 37,479 lb (17 t) | 70 ft (21.3 m) |
| Tadano 2277C | 44,092 lb (20 t) | 77 ft (23.5 m) |
Related equipment
Browse by manufacturer
Sources
Every specification is verified against the manufacturer's published data, with the source linked for reference.
15-30 ton Boom Truck
45 models · Every spec cited to source
