Crane Transport Guide: How to Ship a Mobile or Tower Crane

Why Crane Transport Is Different

Unlike a bulldozer or excavator that ships as a single unit, most cranes must be broken down into components for road transport. A typical 100-ton hydraulic truck crane, for example, is disassembled into the carrier/chassis, boom sections, counterweights, and rigging—often requiring 3 to 6 separate truck loads. Each component must be weighed, measured, and permitted individually. The logistics of coordinating multiple loads to arrive at the same destination within a tight window adds significant planning complexity.

Types of Cranes and Their Transport Profiles

Hydraulic Truck Cranes (25–500 ton)

Smaller truck cranes (25–50 ton) can sometimes travel as a single unit if the boom is retracted and the counterweights are removed. The carrier itself typically weighs 60,000 to 120,000 lbs and may be 10 to 14 feet wide. Counterweights are shipped separately on flatbeds. Larger truck cranes (100–500 ton) always require full disassembly into 4 to 8 loads.

Crawler Cranes (50–2,000 ton)

Crawler cranes are the most complex to transport. The carbody, crawlers, boom sections, pendants, and counterweights are all shipped separately. A 300-ton crawler crane may require 10 to 20 truck loads. The carbody alone can weigh 150,000 to 400,000 lbs, requiring multi-axle specialized trailers and engineering surveys for every bridge on the route.

Tower Cranes

Tower crane sections (mast, jib, counter-jib, cab) are typically within legal dimensions and weight limits when disassembled, often shipping on standard flatbeds. The challenge is coordinating delivery sequencing so sections arrive in the correct order for erection.

Trailer Selection for Crane Components

Component	Typical Weight	Trailer Type
Truck crane carrier (25–50 ton)	60,000–120,000 lbs	Self-propelled or RGN
Boom sections	5,000–40,000 lbs each	Flatbed or Step Deck
Counterweights	10,000–80,000 lbs per set	Flatbed or Lowboy
Crawler carbody	80,000–400,000 lbs	Multi-Axle Lowboy or Goldhofer
Crawler tracks	20,000–60,000 lbs each	Lowboy or RGN

Permit Requirements and Lead Times

Any crane component exceeding federal thresholds—80,000 lbs GVW, 8.5 ft wide, 13.5 ft tall, or 53 ft long—requires state-issued oversize/overweight permits. Because cranes are divisible loads (they can be broken down further), states may deny superload permits if the carrier hasn't demonstrated that the load is at its minimum divisible configuration.

Standard permit processing takes 7 to 10 business days. Superloads (loads significantly exceeding standard oversize thresholds, typically over 200,000 lbs or 16 ft wide) require engineering surveys and can take 3 to 6 weeks for permit approval. Plan accordingly—crane moves that seem straightforward can be delayed significantly by permit processing backlogs in high-traffic states like California, Texas, and New York.

Escort Vehicle Requirements for Crane Loads

Escort requirements vary by state but follow general patterns:

• Width 10–12 ft: One rear escort in most states
• Width 12–14 ft: Front and rear escorts required
• Width over 14 ft: Two escorts plus law enforcement in many states; daylight travel only
• Superloads: State police escort required in most jurisdictions; travel restricted to specific hours and days

Twelve states require Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operator (P/EVO) certification, including California, Texas, Florida, Colorado, and Georgia. IronHaul coordinates certified escorts for every state on your route.

Pre-Transport Preparation Checklist

• Obtain exact weights and dimensions for each component (do not rely on manufacturer specs—weigh on certified scales)
• Mark all lift points and tie-down locations on each component
• Drain or secure hydraulic systems to prevent leaks during transit
• Remove or secure all loose rigging, hooks, and accessories
• Photograph all components from multiple angles before loading
• Confirm pickup and delivery site access for large transport rigs (turning radius, overhead clearances, ground bearing capacity)

Ready to Move Your Crane?

IronHaul Logistics has experience coordinating multi-load crane moves across the continental US. We handle permit applications for every state on your route, source certified escorts, and sequence multi-truck deliveries to match your erection schedule. Call (208) 495-2260, email [email protected], or submit our online quote form with your crane make, model, and component breakdown for a detailed transport plan.