Advice on truck to mount crane on

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Gareth's tree, Oct 20, 2018.

  1. Gareth's tree

    Gareth's tree Bobtail Member

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    First time poster here! I own a tree service and I'm looking to upgrade my crane soon. The plan is to buy a used truck and have a new knuckle boom crane rear mounted on it. the truck with crane will weigh about 50,000 lbs empty. It will not be driven very many miles (less than 10,000 a year) although it will be used 3 to 5 days a week for work, and spend the majority of its time at high idle running the crane.
    I would like to spend less than $30,000 and I'm not necessarily looking for anything fancy. My top priorities are reliability, parts availability for the next decade or more, and not too expensive of parts. I am okay with something older as long as Parts availability will not be a problem.
    It seems to me that certain engines or brands of trucks are known for being more expensive to maintain, or maybe more well-built and holding up better. I'm trying to get some input as to things to look for, or avoid. Thanks!
     
    Last edited: Oct 20, 2018
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  3. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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  4. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    I do?

    Oh I do, look for a freigtliner m2 chassis, they are all over the place.

    The place who will be installing the crane will be able to tell you the spec for the chassis. Once you get from them the length of the bed you need, you can easily find the truck.

    They have automatics, sticks are around too. M2 chassis are all over the place and no problem with parts. And they can be found under or around $30k.
     
    Chinatown Thanks this.
  5. Gareth's tree

    Gareth's tree Bobtail Member

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    Thanks for the reply! However, I apologize for not being more specific. I will need a truck with tandem Rears and a tag axle as well. The weight of the truck with crane is around 50,000 pounds empty. (I just edited the original post to include that)
     
    Last edited: Oct 20, 2018
  6. Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

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    You aren’t going to get a deal on a heavy spec tri-axle chassis..... your going to have to pay up in order not to get something that’s been beat to death....

    I’d go for a KW or Pete 2007 or older.
     
    Last edited: Oct 20, 2018
  7. Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

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    I know where there’s a nice new one lol

    50CDFFCB-067A-4314-9687-BE2007C79CB6.jpeg 6C61BBEE-576B-47E2-B6B8-06E289574443.jpeg
     
    Ruthless Thanks this.
  8. Blackshack46

    Blackshack46 Road Train Member

    I cant wrap my head around a truck like you describe weighing 50k empty. How much does a crane weigh?
     
  9. Gareth's tree

    Gareth's tree Bobtail Member

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    I think the crane weighs around 15,000 pounds and that does not include axillary Outriggers or the bed, or the subframe, or tool boxes, or ballast (so that it doesn't tip over). 50,000 lb is the number I got from the crane dealer for total truck weight. I have a crane currently mounted on a sterling 95?? series. It is a smaller crane than the one I'm looking to get, and my truck weighs 40000 lb empty.
     
    Blackshack46 Thanks this.
  10. Blackshack46

    Blackshack46 Road Train Member

    Ok. I didnt think about all the extras on top of the crane.
     
  11. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    The crane itself is heavy, the more capacity, I think the weight multiplies 1.4. I can see his need for a class 8 straight truck, and he can find a class 8 to fit his needs without too much trouble.
     
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