10 Common Applications of Mini Cranes

When you’re trying to work in high places, using the right kind of crane is essential. You need a combination of lifting power, dexterity and cost value when you’re making use of a crane and a mini crane is the perfect combination of all these factors. In this article, we discuss ten of the most common uses of mini cranes and why this crane is the perfect tool for these situations over its crane cousins. 

10 common mini crane uses 

See some of the main uses of a mini crane rental below and what makes it the best crane option in each case. 

1. Glazing

On large, landscape-defining buildings, window installation is integral to keeping the property looking good – yet glass is one of the trickiest materials to work with. A small mini crane uses vacuum glass handlers to complete delicate movements with care, allowing the safe and correct placement of the glass at any height without damage and ensuring an incredible-looking and functional commercial or residential space. 

2. Curtain wall installation

Large-scale commercial structures often use a curtain wall in place of individual windows to reduce building costs. Lifting the heavy glass frames from floor to floor is easy with a mini crane as it is compact enough to fit within the confines of the interior building while having the power to lift materials and equipment effortlessly. Its lightweight nature also minimizes damage to already completed interiors like the flooring. 

3. Restricted access

One of the main benefits of a mini crane is its ability to work in confined spaces or where dangerous obstacles pose an issue, such as power lines. The working range restriction features on a mini crane ensures safe lifting in any situation, and the short tail swing available on some models enables them to navigate tighter spots that larger cranes often cannot. 

4. Rooftop work

Did you know mini cranes are powerful enough to lift goods from the ground to a rooftop? This negates the need to block roads at ground level to accommodate a larger crane while offering the same stability. Also, being compact enough to fit inside a service lift on a multi-story building, you can easily transport a mini crane from floor to rooftop for a faster, more efficient construction project. 

5. Steel erection work

Large construction work relies on all manner of materials to be moved in and around a building, including extremely heavy loads like steel frames. A mini crane has the power to lift any item regardless of its weight, with its legs providing extra stability to hoist steel parts to the desired height efficiently and safely. 

6. Civil construction

Roads, utilities, and amenities like train stations and airports all use cranes to complete their construction work. A mini crane can do all the heavy lifting just as effectively as a large crane and with much less obstruction to the surrounding area. An extremely small footprint and stable legs allow a mini crane to sit perfectly on any sized site, supporting all civil construction projects thanks to its incredible accessibility in confined spaces. 

7. Residential construction

Building houses is a complex process that sometimes requires lifting materials beyond what standard plant equipment can manage. This is where a mini crane excels. A perfect heavy lifter taking up minimal space on the ground, coupled with its incredible accessibility compared to large cranes, allows the mini crane to work anywhere, from cliffsides to confined courtyards. 

8. Plant, factory, and automotive

Factory production lines are always moving, and their constant use means equipment needs plenty of ongoing maintenance or repair work. With limited internal space to accommodate an overhead crane for supplying heavy parts, a mini crane is a great choice as it does the same job effectively in less time, ensuring the plant machinery stays up and running. 

9. Limited access

Many internal projects occur in small areas with limited access, sites in which a large crane simply cannot fit. The mini crane has a slim body that fits through a standard doorway, making it a breeze for internal works and taking less time and cost to see a project over the line to completion. 

10. Facility equipment installation

Large shopping centers, stadiums, and commercial buildings use all kinds of displays and signage to drive a greater customer experience. Using a mini crane to lift and assemble building installations is quicker and more cost-effective than a large crane and works to greater effect in confined, multi-level spaces thanks to its small footprint.