In the fields of construction, equipment transportation, and logistics handling, crane rental is the core solution for heavy lifting needs. Cranes of different tonnages correspond to varied operational scenarios, choosing the appropriate tonnage not only ensures construction safety but also enhances efficiency and cost control. Below is a summary of...Medium-tonnage, large-tonnage, extra-large and special tonnageThree categories, a detailed overview of common crane rental specifications and application logic.

One: Mid-to-small tonnage cranes (8-50 tons): a versatile basic choice

Mid-sized crane types, due to their high flexibility, small working radius, and low site requirements, are highly sought after in the rental market, accounting for over 60% of usage. They are primarily used for scenarios such as medium and small-scale equipment installation, municipal projects, and small construction projects.

8-12 tons: commonly used models for urban short-haul transportation and light-duty operations

• Common ModelsXCMG QY8B.5, Sany STC120C, Zoomlion ZTC121V

• Core FeaturesThe compact body design (typically 2-3 bridge configuration) allows for 360° full rotation operations. Some models are equipped with telescopic legs, enabling flexible parking in narrow streets and residential areas. The maximum working radius is approximately 18-22 meters, with a rated lifting capacity of 8-12 tons within a 3-meter span.

• Typical Applications：

• Municipal Maintenance: streetlight installation, traffic signal replacement, and small pipeline hoisting.

• Logistics Handling: Short-haul container transfers (under 20 feet), warehouse heavy cargo loading and unloading.

• Small-scale Project: Pre-fabricated panel hoisting during villa construction and installation of steel structure canopies in the renovation phase.

2. 20-25 tons: commonly used for small and medium-sized equipment installation

• Common Aircraft ModelsXCMG QY25K5C, Sany STC250E5, Liugong CLG5525

• Core FeaturesThe crane features a 4-bridge pedestal, with a maximum boom length of up to 42-48 meters (some models with a jib), lifting capacities ranging from 20 to 25 tons, catering to medium to low height and medium weight lifting requirements; it is equipped with an intelligent moment limit system for real-time safety monitoring.

• Typical Applications：

• Industrial Equipment: Transportation of small machine tools on factory production lines (such as lathe, milling machines)

• Construction: Scaffold installation for multi-story residential buildings (6-11 floors); rebar binding and hoisting.

• Celebration Event: Installation of large billboard (10-15 meters) and stage truss setup.

3. 35-50 tons: A transitional tonnage that balances weight and height

• Common Aircraft ModelsXCMG QY50K-II, Sany STC500T, Zoomlion ZTC500V

• Core FeaturesThe 5-bridge chassis design features a maximum boom length of 50-56 meters, compatible with 12-18 meter jib arms, and offers an operating height of over 65 meters; it has a lifting capacity of 35-50 tons (3-meter outreach) and is ideal for overhead lifting across obstacles.

• Typical Applications：

• Infrastructure Project: Pre-cast beams for rural road bridges (single beam weight under 30 tons) hoisting.

• Equipment Installation: Central air conditioning outdoor units (8-12 tons) for a shopping mall, and MRI equipment (15-20 tons) for a hospital; relocation.

• Electrical Construction: Installation of 110KV substation transformers (25-35 tons) and pole assembly.

Medium to Large-tonnage Cranes (70-200 tons): Industrial Heavy Lifting Workhorse

Heavy-duty cranes, typically used in heavy industries, large-scale infrastructure, and energy projects, require professional operators and site planning. When rented, an integrated service package usually includes "equipment + driver + technical support."

1. 70-100 tons: Core models for medium-sized industrial equipment and bridge construction

• Common ModelsXCMG QY100K, Sany STC1000, Zoomlion ZTC1000V

• Core FeaturesThe 6-7 bridge jib, with a maximum boom length of 60-72 meters, features a counter jib that extends up to 24-30 meters, and has a maximum lifting capacity of 70-100 tons (3-meter outreach). Some models are equipped with a superlift device, increasing the lifting capacity by 15%-20%, making them suitable for operation in windy conditions.

• Typical Applications：

• Bridge Engineering: Hoisting of urban expressway box girders (single girder weight of 50-80 tons)

• Industrial Manufacturing: Installation of medium-sized chemical plant reactors (40-60 tons) and automotive production line press machines (70-90 tons).

• Wind Power Sector: Installation of the lower section of the tower (60-80 tons) for distributed wind turbines (1.5-2.0MW).

2. 130-200 tons: Key Support Models for Large Equipment and Energy Projects

• Standard ModelsXCMG QAY200, Sany SAC2000, Zoomlion ZAT2000V

• Core FeaturesThe 8-9-meter undercarriage, with a maximum boom length of 78-90 meters, can be paired with a 36-48-meter jib, reaching a maximum working height over 120 meters; equipped with a multi-axle steering system, it offers a small turning radius, ideal for maneuvering within complex industrial areas; lifting capacity ranges from 130 to 200 tons (with a 3-meter span), requiring a reinforced or steel plate-covered surface for support.

• Typical Applications：

• Energy Project: Large thermal power plant boiler drum (120-180 tons) and 220KV transmission line tower sections (each 30-50 tons) hoisting.

• Heavy Industry: Steel mill converter (150-180 tons), shipyard hull sections (130-160 tons) handling.

• Infrastructure Project: Tunnel boring machine (180-200 tons) launch shaft hoisting, and river-crossing bridge steel box girder (150-180 tons) installation.

Heavy-duty and Specialized Cranes (Over 250 tons): Models suitable for ultra-heavy loads and specialized environments

Over 250-ton cranes are primarily "track cranes" and "all-terrain cranes," requiring site surveys and foundation load-bearing calculations in advance. The rental period is typically long (over 1 month), often used for national key projects and ultra-large industrial projects.

250-500 tons: Main机型 for Heavy Industry and Large Infrastructure Construction

• Common ModelsXGong XGC500, Sany SCC5000A, Zoomlion QUY500

• Core FeaturesThe crawler undercarriage (partly with a 10-bridge all-terrain design) features a low ground pressure (0.08-0.12 MPa), enabling operation on soft ground surfaces. The maximum boom length is 100-120 meters, and with the superlift device, the lifting capacity reaches 250-500 tons. It requires disassembly for transportation (usually split into 5-8 vehicles) and takes 2-3 days for on-site assembly.

• Typical Applications：

• Petroleum Project: Large Refinery Catalytic Cracking Unit (300-450 tons), LNG Storage Tank Dome (250-350 tons) lifting operations.

• Bridge Engineering: Installation of main tower steel segments (200-300 tons) for river-crossing bridges and collision barriers (350-450 tons) for sea-crossing bridges.

• In the wind power sector: Installation of onshore wind turbines (3.0-5.0MW) with main units (200-280 tons) and blades (80-120 tons).

2. Over 600 tons: Special heavy-duty lifting model

• Common Aircraft ModelsXG C16000, SCC86000A, QUY1250

• Core FeaturesThe ultra-large crawler crane requires a "modular design," with the main boom extending up to 180-240 meters. Equipped with superlift counterweights (ranging from 500 to 1200 tons), its maximum lifting capacity reaches 600-1600 tons. Geotechnical drilling is mandatory prior to operation, and a special foundation box (thickness 50-80mm) must be laid. On-site assembly takes 1-2 weeks and is monitored by a professional technical team throughout.

• Typical Applications：

• Energy Engineering: Onshore wind turbines (6.0-12MW) complete units (500-1200 tons) and nuclear power plant reactor pressure vessels (600-800 tons) hoisting.

• Heavy Industry Manufacturing: Installation of offshore engineering platform modules (800-1,500 tons) and large ship main engines (600-900 tons).

• Infrastructure Projects: Hoisting of steel structural core shafts for super-tall buildings (over 300 meters) weighing 700-1000 tons and main cable anchors for cross-sea bridges weighing 1200-1500 tons.

Four: Key Considerations for Crane Tonnage Selection

1. Define Core ParametersEnsure the "maximum lifting capacity" (with a 10%-15% safety margin), "operational radius" (horizontal distance from the lifting point to the crane), and "operational height" (vertical height of the lifting point) are all compatible to avoid the scenario of "a big horse pulling a small cart" or "a small horse pulling a big cart."

2. Site Conditions LimitationsFor narrow sites, choose cranes with a smaller tonnage (less than 25 tons). For soft ground surfaces (such as muddy construction sites), select crawler cranes (which have a lower ground pressure). For high-altitude operations (such as super-tall buildings), confirm if the total length of the main and boom arms meets the height requirements.

3. Additional Requirements ConfirmedOvernight operations require cranes to be equipped with explosion-proof lights and sound-light alarm devices; when crossing obstacles, the "range angle" must be confirmed for compliance; explosion-proof cranes must be selected for flammable and explosive environments (such as chemical industrial zones).

4. Lease Cost ReferenceSmall to medium tonnage (8-50 tons) has a daily rental of approximately 2,000-8,000 yuan; medium to large tonnage (70-200 tons) is 150,000-500,000 yuan per day; large special tonnage (over 250 tons) is charged on a weekly/monthly basis, with weekly rentals ranging from 100,000-300,000 yuan, with specific fees depending on rental duration, transportation distance, and whether operation staff are included.