Key takeaways
- Mobile cranes suit short, varied lifts and quick mobilisation.
- Tower cranes suit long, high-rise projects with constant lifting.
- Project duration and height usually decide.
Key differences
| Mobile crane | Tower crane | |
|---|---|---|
| Set-up | Drives in, sets up on outriggers | Erected on a foundation by specialists |
| Duration | Hours to weeks | Months — the whole build |
| Height | Limited by boom length | Rises with the building |
| Footprint | Needs set-up space each time | Fixed, small footprint |
Rules of thumb
Many projects use both: a tower crane for daily work and mobile cranes for heavy or one-off lifts.
- Short programme or occasional lifts → mobile crane
- High-rise or continuous lifting for months → tower crane
- Congested site with long reach needed → often a tower crane
Frequently asked questions
Do you supply both tower and mobile cranes?
Yes — we work with all crane types, including mobile cranes from 25 to 130 ton and tower cranes for long-term projects.