Difference Between All-Terrain Crane vs Crawler Crane

All-Terrain Cranes vs Crawler Cranes: Which is Best for Your Project?

By AOR Cranes Team on March 28, 2025

All-terrain cranes and crawler cranes are two common choices that are frequently discussed when selecting the best crane for a construction or heavy lifting project. While both serve similar lifting functions, their design, mobility, and ideal use cases are quite different.

What Is an All-Terrain Crane?

An all-terrain crane is a mobile, adaptable crane. With a combination of the off-road capabilities of a rough-terrain crane with the roadability of a truck-mounted crane. It offers versatility in multiple settings and is made for both smooth highways and rough construction sites.

Key Features:

  • Wheeled base suitable for on-road and off-road travel
  • Telescopic boom for varied lifting reach
  • Multiple axles for better weight distribution and stability
  • Quick setup and high mobility
  • Best suited for short-term or quick projects

What Is a Crawler Crane?

A crawler crane is a heavy-duty lifting machine mounted on a set of tracks (also known as crawlers). These cranes are known for their impressive lifting capacity and stability—especially on soft, uneven, or muddy ground.

Key Features:

  • Tracked base for superior stability without outriggers
  • High lifting capacity for large-scale jobs
  • Can move short distances on-site while carrying a load
  • Requires disassembly for transport and longer setup time
  • Perfect for long-duration or heavy-load projects

All-Terrain vs. Crawler Cranes: A Quick Comparison

Feature All-Terrain Crane Crawler Crane
Mobility Highway legal, fast on-site movement On-site only, not road legal
Ground Conditions Handles moderate off-road terrain Ideal for soft, muddy, and unstable terrain
Lifting Capacity 40-1200 tons  40-3500 tons
Boom Configuration Telescopic boom with extensions Lattice boom with long-reach potential
Setup Time Minimal: ready to lift quickly Longer: requires assembly and disassembly
Transport Needs Self-propelled Transported in parts by truck

When to Choose an All-Terrain Crane?

  • All-Terrain cranes are the right choice if your project demands:
  • High mobility between multiple job sites.
  • Lifting medium to heavy loads up to 1,200 tons.
  • Working in areas with limited space but varied terrain.
  • A faster setup and teardown process.
  • Infrastructure work like utility installation, commercial construction, or short-term plant maintenance.

When to Choose a Crawler Crane?

  • Crawler Cranes shine in scenarios that require:
  • Extremely heavy lifts up to 3,500 tons.
  • Operation on soft, muddy, or unstable ground.
  • Long-term construction projects such as: Wind turbine erection, Bridge and dam construction, Mining operations
  • Repetitive lifts in a fixed area where mobility is not a priority.

Final Thoughts: Which Crane Should You Choose?

Both crawler cranes and all-terrain cranes play significant roles in the heavy lifting and construction sectors. Your decision should be based on the project’s duration, load capacity, mobility needs, and terrain conditions. An all-terrain crane might be your best option if your project calls for mid-range lifting and frequent relocation. A crawler crane is the best option for long-term, heavy lifting jobs that require no movement.

Need help choosing the right crane for your next project?
Reach out to the experts at AOR Cranes – Australia’s trusted crane hire specialists – to get the job done safely and efficiently, no matter the scale or complexity.

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