CAT CLASS: HQ-10154

Up to 15 ton Boom Truck

The Up to 15 ton Boom Truck is a truck-mounted hydraulic crane designed to deliver and place its own load without separate transport and rigging equipment. This entry-level class handles HVAC rooftop units, sign installation, utility pole hardware, and light structural work directly from a flatbed chassis. It sits at the base of the boom truck ladder, below the 15-30 ton class for heavier industrial lifting.

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Cat classes

Pick a size class — capacity and reach differ across the range.

Key specifications

Specification	Typical range	What it means
Lifting capacity	5,071–28,881 lb (2.3–13.1 t)	Maximum rated load at minimum radius; capacity decreases as boom extends or angles increase
Boom reach	30–60 ft (9.1–18.3 m)	Typical hydraulic boom extension for this weight class, dictating horizontal and vertical work envelope
Chassis mount	Class 5–7 truck	Crane mounts behind cab on medium-duty flatbed or service body, maintaining road mobility

How to choose

This size class suits jobs where the crane operator also drives the delivery truck and sets loads in a single trip—rooftop HVAC changeouts under 10 tons, utility pole-top equipment, and sign panels within a 50-foot radius. The compact chassis navigates urban job sites and residential streets. When lifting structural steel, precast panels, or loads exceeding 13 tons, the 15-30 ton Boom Truck class offers greater capacity and reach. Projects requiring only occasional material placement over a truck bed may be served adequately by a knuckle boom loader instead of a dedicated boom truck.

What this size handles

Setting 5-ton HVAC units on retail building rooftops
Installing illuminated sign cabinets on 40-foot poles
Placing transformer banks and switchgear at utility substations
Delivering and setting bundled roofing materials to second-story decks
Positioning ductwork and mechanical equipment in tight commercial sites
Unloading and placing palletized stone or landscape boulders

Safety & operation

Outriggers or stabilizers must deploy fully before lifting; ground bearing capacity determines safe pad placement
Load charts specific to each model govern maximum lift at every boom angle and extension
Overhead power line clearance mandates 10-foot minimum distance or de-energization protocols
Operator certification under NCCCO or equivalent standard required in most jurisdictions

Transport & logistics

Self-propelled on public roads; no trailer required
Typical gross vehicle weight 26,000–33,000 lbs depending on chassis and body configuration
Requires CDL Class B in most jurisdictions when exceeding 26,001 lbs GVWR

Power & supply

Hydraulic system powered by truck engine PTO (power take-off)
Diesel fuel typical; operates crane functions without external power source
Engine must idle or run at governed RPM during lifting operations

Frequently asked

What distinguishes a boom truck from a knuckle boom or articulating crane?

Boom trucks use a telescoping hydraulic boom similar to a conventional mobile crane, offering greater reach and height. Knuckle booms articulate at multiple joints for close-quarters work but typically have shorter horizontal reach for a given weight class.

How does capacity change with boom extension on this class?

Rated capacity applies at minimum radius with boom retracted. As the boom extends or the angle lowers, capacity drops significantly—a 13-ton rating at 10 feet may fall to 2 tons at 50 feet. Each machine's load chart provides exact capacities for every configuration.

Can this size class work without outriggers deployed?

Most manufacturers publish reduced "on-rubber" capacities for stationary lifts over the side without outriggers, typically 25–50% of stabilized ratings. Pick-and-carry operations while driving are generally prohibited except for specific models rated for such use.