Pickup Truck Cranes: Built for Light Lifting
A pickup truck crane is a small crane, mounted on the bed of a pickup truck. It's designed for light lifting — a few hundred to a couple thousand pounds — and it's the perfect tool for farmers, ranchers, contractors, and anyone who needs to lift things occasionally, but doesn't need a full-size boom truck. Pickup truck cranes are cheap, compact, and they work. Let's look at how they're built, and what they're good for.
The Basic Design
A pickup truck crane is a small hydraulic crane, bolted to the bed of a pickup truck. It's not a full-size crane — it's designed for light duty, and it's meant to complement a pickup truck, not replace a real crane. Here are the key parts:
The Base. The crane is mounted on a swiveling base, bolted to the truck bed. The base can rotate 360 degrees, so you can swing the load around. The base is usually made of heavy steel, and it's bolted down with big bolts, to handle the load forces.
The Boom. The boom is the lifting arm. Most pickup truck cranes have a telescoping boom, that extends from 5 feet to 10 or 15 feet. They're powered by a hydraulic cylinder, which extends and retracts the boom. Some also have a knuckle, so you can fold the boom up when you're not using it.
The Winch. Most pickup truck cranes have a small electric or hydraulic winch, mounted on the boom. The winch has a cable, that you use to lift the load. The winch is powered by the truck's electrical system, or by a small hydraulic pump.
The Controls. The crane is controlled by levers or buttons, usually mounted on the base, right next to the crane. You stand on the ground, next to the truck, and operate the crane from there.
What Are Pickup Truck Cranes Used For?
Pickup truck cranes are used for all kinds of light lifting jobs:
- Farms and ranches: Lifting fence posts, feed troughs, small equipment, and other farm work. A pickup truck with a small crane is like having a mini crane on the farm, for all the little lifting jobs.
- Contractors: Small contractors use pickup truck cranes to lift materials, tools, and equipment around job sites. It's cheaper than hiring a crane for every small job.
- Tree work: Arborists use pickup truck cranes to lift branches, tools, and small equipment, when they're doing tree work.
- Sign installation: Sign installers use pickup truck cranes to lift signs, light poles, and other equipment.
- Hunting and camping: Some hunters mount small cranes on their pickup trucks, to lift game out of the field.
How Much Can a Pickup Truck Crane Lift?
It depends on the size of the crane, and how far the boom is extended. Most pickup truck cranes can lift 500-2,000 pounds at full extension. If the boom is retracted, they can lift more — up to 3,000 or 4,000 pounds. But remember, the truck has to be able to handle the load too. Don't lift more than the truck can safely carry, or you'll tip the truck over.
FAQ
Q: How much does a pickup truck crane cost?
A: A small pickup truck crane costs $1,000 to $5,000, depending on the size and features. That's a lot cheaper than a full-size boom truck, which costs $100,000 or more. If you only need light lifting, a pickup truck crane is a great value.