Should I hire a mobile or fixed crane?
What is the difference?
Cranes are essential to the efficient functioning of many worksites, warehouses and shipyards, with the perfect crane for every application being available for hire. Let’s take a closer look at cranes, what they do, and their background to help you choose what will work best for your situation.
The history of cranes
A crane has a sole purpose, to lift something too heavy to be otherwise manoeuvred and to safely move it to another location or place it back when safe to do so. Whilst we tend to think of cranes as modern utilitarian equipment, such as our mobile hire fleet, cranes have been used throughout history for the same purpose that they are used for today. In ancient Greece, cranes were used to assist with the lifting of marble pillars for buildings. Shipyards have used cranes since the middle ages to safely manoeuvre cargo onto the decks of ships, a practice that is still very much in place in 2020.
In ancient times, Greek cranes were powered by simple winding ropes around winches that were pulled by either men or donkeys, however, the rise of the Roman Empire saw the more mechanised compound pulley systems come into use. In the middle ages pulleys combined with large wheels, spun by men walking inside, or animals turning a large winch by walking in circles. Although rudimentary in design, the lifting capacity of these early cranes was 1 – 5 metric tonnes.
Industrial Revolution and Crane Design
In ancient times, Greek cranes were powered by simple winding ropes around winches that were pulled by either men or donkeys, however, the rise of the Roman Empire saw the more mechanised compound pulley systems come into use. In the middle ages pulleys combined with large wheels, spun by men walking inside, or animals turning a large winch by walking in circles. Although rudimentary in design, the lifting capacity of these early cranes was 1 – 5 metric tonnes.
Industrial Revolution and Crane Design
The Industrial Revolution saw the next evolution in crane design, both in power sources and in technology. In 1850 the Fairbairn crane was patented, with its innovative design the first to utilise a curved jib (or arm). The use of pulleys, both fixed and moveable, enabled the crane to lift weights more than 10x that of its predecessors. A working example of the Fairbairn crane is still used in the Bristol Harbour in the UK.
The next evolution of the crane was the powering of the mechanism via steam in the late 1800s, with electric-powered cranes being the most common form of crane power by the end of the 19th century.
Cranes in the World Wars
World War One saw the next development in crane design and application with Hans Liebherr’s tower crane used for the rapid reconstruction of bombed cities during the war. The key difference with this crane was the levering action, with the tower top acting as the fulcrum and the jib counterbalanced by a weight. The basics of this design is still seen on most building sites throughout the world. The average lifting capacity of this style of crane is 40 tonnes with the Liebherr Group, Liebherr LTM 11200-9.1 garnering the title of the most powerful mobile crane ever built with a lift capacity of 1200 tonnes.
Cranes are now used in many different applications throughout the world, and even beyond to the International Space Station, making cranes truly a universal piece of machinery.
Cranes in Shipping
Cranes are commonly used for shipping to remove and replace containers and other cargo onto ships. Whilst great strength is needed for this momentous task, incredible precision from the machinery and the operator is required to ensure that the container ships are loaded with accuracy and efficiency. With up to 24000 containers on vessels that are often unloaded and reloaded by cranes within 72 hours, this is a significant contribution to global commerce.
Cranes in Construction
Cranes are used for all manner of reasons on the construction site; from domestic residential homesite to large scale infrastructure building projects. It is often said that a city that has multiple cranes on the horizon has a healthy, growing economy. Even the precision uses of cranes such as tree removal or glass placement, makes construction more manageable, more time-efficient, and cost-effective.
For more information about cranes, crane hire and the type of crane needed for your job, contact the team at Lindores Mobile Cranes for expert advice and a passion for all things crane related.
The next evolution of the crane was the powering of the mechanism via steam in the late 1800s, with electric-powered cranes being the most common form of crane power by the end of the 19th century.
Cranes in the World Wars
World War One saw the next development in crane design and application with Hans Liebherr’s tower crane used for the rapid reconstruction of bombed cities during the war. The key difference with this crane was the levering action, with the tower top acting as the fulcrum and the jib counterbalanced by a weight. The basics of this design is still seen on most building sites throughout the world. The average lifting capacity of this style of crane is 40 tonnes with the Liebherr Group, Liebherr LTM 11200-9.1 garnering the title of the most powerful mobile crane ever built with a lift capacity of 1200 tonnes.
Current Uses of Cranes
Cranes in Shipping
Cranes are commonly used for shipping to remove and replace containers and other cargo onto ships. Whilst great strength is needed for this momentous task, incredible precision from the machinery and the operator is required to ensure that the container ships are loaded with accuracy and efficiency. With up to 24000 containers on vessels that are often unloaded and reloaded by cranes within 72 hours, this is a significant contribution to global commerce.
Cranes in Construction
Cranes are used for all manner of reasons on the construction site; from domestic residential homesite to large scale infrastructure building projects. It is often said that a city that has multiple cranes on the horizon has a healthy, growing economy. Even the precision uses of cranes such as tree removal or glass placement, makes construction more manageable, more time-efficient, and cost-effective.
For more information about cranes, crane hire and the type of crane needed for your job, contact the team at Lindores Mobile Cranes for expert advice and a passion for all things crane related.
The Liftout
When people think of crane hire, they often picture towering construction sites or major infrastructure projects. But across Southeast Queensland, an increasing number of residential builders are considering mobile cranes as an essential tool onsite. At Lindores Mobile Cranes , we’ve seen first-hand how reliable crane hire can simplify and speed up residential builds. Smarter Lifting for Modern Home Builds As homes get larger, blocks get smaller, and architectural designs become more complex, the need for precision lifting has never been greater. Roofing materials, structural steel, and even prefabricated walls often need to be placed quickly and safely in hard-to-reach locations. Our mobile cranes, including Mini Crawlers and Frannas , make light work of these tasks. This saves builders time, reduces manual handling, and improves site safety. With our experienced operators on board, there’s no guesswork, no delays, and no unnecessary risk. Explore our mobile crane fleet Tight Access? No Problem. Many of Brisbane’s older suburbs, like Paddington, Spring Hill, and Petrie Terrace, come with tight driveways, steep slopes, and minimal space for materials. That’s where compact mobile cranes and mini crawlers shine. They’re designed to work in confined spaces without compromising lifting capacity or site safety. We regularly help builders lift roofing, frames, pools, and more into hard-to-access sites, without the need for expensive site modifications or lengthy manual labour. Supporting the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast Residential Market It’s not just Brisbane where we’re seeing demand. Across the Sunshine Coast, with its steep hinterland blocks, and the Gold Coast, where many homes are built close to canals or high-density zones, mobile crane hire is becoming a key part of building smarter, safer homes. Crane Hire That Fits the Residential Build Schedule We know how critical timing is for builders. Delays in lifting can hold up entire stages of the project. That’s why we offer flexible booking options, fast response times, and a commitment to showing up when we say we will. It’s part of the reason why so many residential builders across Southeast Queensland trust Lindores Mobile Cranes for their lifting needs. Ready to Lift Smarter on Your Next Build? No matter the project, our team has the equipment and expertise to help. Contact our team today by calling us on 07 3376 0611 or email lmcops@lmcranes.com.au.
Urban construction across Brisbane’s inner suburbs, like Brisbane City, Fortitude Valley and West End, presents a unique challenge. Limited street access, tight driveways, weight-restricted concrete slabs, and close proximity to neighbouring buildings mean that traditional mobile cranes simply won’t fit. At Lindores Mobile Cranes , we’ve seen how mini crawler cranes are transforming the way construction is carried out on these sites. Compact, precise, and highly mobile, these machines are fast becoming essential for projects across Queensland . Rethinking Lifting for Urban Environments In city and suburban projects, space is at a premium. Construction teams often deal with narrow laneways, busy streets, or strict local council rules that make large-scale crane operations unfeasible. In some cases, access is so restricted that conventional lifting equipment can’t get anywhere near the job site. That’s where mini crawler cranes come in. Built specifically for tight and complex environments, these machines allow builders to lift heavy materials safely and efficiently, without the need for wide access or extensive setup areas. See our full fleet of mobile and mini cranes. Compact Size, Serious Capability Despite their size, mini crawler cranes don’t compromise on performance. Designed to operate in confined spaces, they’re able to move through narrow driveways and even fit inside buildings if required. Their rubber tracks reduce surface pressure, making them safe for use on rooftops or polished concrete slabs, and their zero tail-swing allows for safe manoeuvring in environments with little margin for error. These features make them ideal for everything from steel erection and glass installation to HVAC placement and residential renovations. We’ve supported projects as varied as boutique homes in New Farm and shopfront fit outs in Surfers Paradise , proving how versatile these compact machines really are. Designed for the Modern Job Site Mini crawler cranes are an increasingly popular choice for residential builds, renovations, and even commercial fit outs across Queensland. Their small footprint and fast setup time mean less downtime, lower costs, and fewer headaches when working in restricted-access environments. Ready to Lift Smarter in Tight Spaces? At Lindores Mobile Cranes , we’ve helped countless clients across Brisbane , the Gold Coast , and South East Queensland navigate complex job sites with ease. Our team can advise you on the right crane for your lift, organise pre-lift planning, and provide experienced operators who understand the ins and outs of working in urban environments. Contact our team today by calling 07 3376 0611 or email lmcorps@lmcranes.com.au.
Need a mobile crane for tight access jobs in Brisbane, Sunshine Coast or the Gold Coast? Hire compact, powerful mini crawler cranes from Lindores Mobile Cranes. Fast, safe, and affordable.