Crane vs. Boom Truck: Which Do You Need?
A plain comparison for common Sherman-area jobs, from rooftop HVAC units to steel. Ranges below are typical, not quotes. The crane company makes the final call from its load charts.
Get a free crane quoteShort answer: if the load is light to moderate and a truck can park close to where it goes, a boom truck is usually faster and cheaper. If the load is heavy, has to travel a long way from the setup spot, or goes high up, you likely need a hydraulic truck crane or all-terrain crane.
The main differences at a glance
| Boom truck | Hydraulic / all-terrain crane | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical capacity | Often about 17 to 40 tons (some larger models exist), rated close to the truck | Roughly 40 tons to several hundred tons |
| Typical reach | Many models reach very roughly 100 to 150 feet of tip height with a jib, but capacity falls quickly as the boom extends | Longer booms and jibs, and more capacity at distance |
| Setup | Drives in, sets outriggers and is usually working quickly | Takes longer; large cranes may need counterweight hauled on extra trucks |
| Setup footprint | Smaller; fits driveways, alleys and tight lots more easily | Larger outrigger spread and more room needed |
| Cost tendency | Usually the lowest operated-crane hourly rate and minimum | Higher hourly rate and minimum, rising with size; more travel and permit costs |
| Best for | Light to medium loads set fairly close to where the truck parks | Heavy loads, long reach, high lifts or tight setups far from the load |
Why reach matters as much as weight
Every crane's rated capacity applies close in. As the boom extends out, the weight it can safely lift drops sharply. A 23-ton boom truck might handle a 4,000 lb rooftop unit easily at 30 feet but not at 80 feet. That's why a light load with a long reach can need a much bigger crane than a heavy load lifted close to the truck. Measure the distance from the nearest spot a truck can set up to where the load lands, and note the height.
Which machine for common jobs
| Job | Boom truck usually works for | A larger crane is more likely for |
|---|---|---|
| HVAC rooftop units | Most single-story rooftop units, condensers and small units on retail, restaurants and offices, when the truck can park close. | Large units, multi-story buildings, or when the only setup spot is far from the roof location. |
| Roof trusses | Most homes, barndominiums and small commercial roofs. | Long-span or heavy trusses, or when the crane must reach over a house or across a wide lot. |
| Signs and poles | Most pole signs, light poles and small monument signs. | Tall pylon signs or heavy sign cabinets set at height. |
| Generators and transformers | Smaller standby generators and pad-mount units set close to the truck. | Large generators, transformers and switchgear, especially over a distance. |
| Structural steel | Light framing, shop buildings, canopies and mezzanines. | Heavy beams and columns, multi-story steel, and long picks. |
Cost: what to expect
Boom trucks generally have the lowest hourly rate and the shortest minimum. One North Texas company's published 2025 rates, with operator, range from $155/hour for a 23-ton boom truck to $205/hour for a 40-ton crane and $355/hour for a 100-ton crane, plus fuel surcharge, travel and permits. These are shown only to help you budget, not as our prices or a quote. Full detail is in the crane rental cost guide.
The cheapest option is the smallest machine that can do the lift safely. Booking a boom truck that turns out to be too small can cost you a wasted trip and a second mobilization, so accurate weights and distances save money.
Other things that tip the decision
- Site access: narrow alleys, low trees, soft ground and septic fields favor a smaller machine, or a bigger one parked farther away.
- Power lines: OSHA clearance rules can force the crane to set up farther away, which increases reach. See our crane permit and power line guide.
- Street setup: setting up in a Sherman street or alley may need city right-of-way approval, whichever machine you use.
- Number of picks: many light picks spread around a site often suit a boom truck that can reposition quickly.
What to send for an accurate recommendation
- The heaviest item and its weight (check the nameplate or spec sheet).
- Lift height, and the distance from the truck setup spot to where the load lands.
- Ground conditions, access, overhead lines, and photos if you can.
- Your dates and job address.
Learn more about boom truck rental and operated crane service, or send the details below and local crane companies will size it for you.
Crane vs. boom truck FAQ
Is a boom truck a crane?
Yes. A boom truck is a crane mounted on a commercial truck chassis. Crane companies usually treat it as the smallest, most mobile class of operated crane.
Is a boom truck cheaper than a crane?
Usually. On one published 2025 North Texas rate sheet, a 23-ton boom truck with operator was $155/hour with a 3-hour minimum, while a 40-ton crane was $205/hour and a 100-ton crane $355/hour, each with a 4-hour minimum. Those are one company's published rates, not quotes. See the crane rental cost guide.
Can a boom truck lift a rooftop HVAC unit?
Often, yes, for single-story buildings where the truck can set up close to the roof. A heavy unit, a tall building or a long reach can push the job to a larger crane. The crane company decides using the load chart for your weight and distance.
How do I know which one I need?
You don't have to decide. Send the heaviest weight, the lift height, and the distance from where a truck can park to where the load lands. The crane company sizes the machine from its load charts.
Get a crane rental quote
Free, no obligation. Tell us about the lift and we'll pass it to local crane companies that serve Sherman.