Help Guide: Which Vehicle-Mounted Crane is Right for My Business?
Looking to improve efficiency and safety but unsure which vehicle-mounted crane is best for your operation? This guide will help you choose the right solution for your needs.
The right lifting equipment can not only improve your business’s efficiency but also help keep your staff safe by stopping them from having to perform heavy lifting tasks manually.
However, if you want to get the most out of your vehicle-mounted cranes, it’s important you invest in the right equipment.
If you’re not sure which vehicle-mounted crane is the right fit for your business, read on to find out which cranes are best suited to some of Europe’s biggest industries. We’ll also reveal the guidelines you should stick to whenever you invest in a vehicle-mounted crane, no matter what your sector.
How to Choose the Right Vehicle-Mounted Crane
When it comes to lifting operations, vehicle-mounted cranes are one of the best ways to improve efficiency, reduce risk, and maximise your bottom line. However, getting the best return on investment means choosing the right system for your specific applications.
In this guide, we’ll outline which cranes are best suited to some of Europe’s key industries, along with the essential safety and compliance considerations to follow when investing in lifting equipment, whatever your sector.
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Choosing Your Vehicle-Mounted Crane: 5 Key Considerations
No matter your industry, choosing the right vehicle-mounted crane comes down to understanding your lifting needs, your vehicles, and how you’ll use the equipment day-to-day. Before you invest, ask yourself these five key questions:
Start by identifying what you’re lifting and how heavy those loads will be. Each crane model has a defined lifting capacity and maximum reach – two factors that directly impact performance and safety.
- Hydraulic cranes can lift multiple tonnes, depending on boom outreach
- Electric cranes typically handle loads up to 500kg, offering a compact, lightweight alternative
Always match the crane’s capacity to your heaviest expected load (not just the average) to ensure safe and reliable operation.
Your crane needs to work seamlessly with your existing fleet. The vehicle type, load capacity, and power system all influence which model will perform best and stay compliant with weight limits.
Consider:
- Will it be mounted on a van, lorry, truck, or trailer?
- What is the maximum payload your vehicle can handle (including the crane’s own weight)?
- Is your vehicle electric or combustion-engine powered?
At Penny Engineering, we design and supply cranes for all vehicle types and work closely with you to ensure you get the right fit, long-term reliability, and best overall value for your operation.
A good crane should make your team’s work safer, faster, and easier. Think about how it will fit into your workflow and where it can add value.
Ask yourself:
- Which processes will this crane streamline or replace?
- Where on the vehicle should it be mounted to allow smooth operation and access?
- Could it reduce downtime, speed up loading, or cut manual handling tasks?
Understanding these points helps you choose equipment that offers a genuine return on investment.
Usage frequency affects which crane will deliver the best value.
- If it’s used daily, invest in a robust, heavy-duty crane that can handle continuous workloads
- If it’s for occasional use, a lighter, more affordable model may offer all the performance you need without unnecessary cost
Choosing based on expected usage helps balance reliability, cost, and longevity.
The more flexible your crane, the more jobs it can handle – and the greater return on your investment.
If ideal for your application, you might look for:
- Demountable cranes that can be fitted to multiple vehicles
- Models suitable for different lifting tasks and environments
- Optional attachments or add-ons that extend usability
At Penny Engineering, many of our vehicle-mounted cranes are built for multi-vehicle compatibility and varied lifting applications, giving you maximum value and adaptability from one piece of equipment.
The Best Vehicle-Mounted Cranes by Industry
Choosing the right vehicle-mounted crane can greatly improve efficiency for your business – saving time, reducing strain on your team, and improving productivity. Here’s a simple guide to help you choose the best crane for your industry.
In construction, every piece of equipment needs to handle tough, daily demands. Because cranes are used constantly on site, it’s worth investing in the most durable models you can afford, so you can be sure they will stand up to heavy wear and tear.
Depending on your requirements, we might recommend: Our hydraulic PH180 Crane. Despite its low self-weight of just 180kg, it can lift up to 1500kg, making it ideal for loading and unloading a wide range of construction materials with ease.
With this in mind, you must also consider ways to reduce manual handling wherever possible to protect your staff from injury. Choosing more versatile cranes can assist with a variety of smaller tasks, minimising heavy lifting for your team.
Depending on your requirements, we might recommend:
- SwingLift Foldaway 500: A light, compact electric crane that fits easily onto a pickup, dropside, or flatbed and is perfect for moving smaller loads around your site.
- SwingLift FV500: For added power and precision, this hydraulic crane offers a 500kg lifting capacity and can be fitted to any van, giving you a flexible lifting solution for all types of construction work.
For Local Authorities (LAs), versatility, durability, and ease of use are top priorities when it comes to choosing vehicle-mounted cranes.
Depending on your requirements, we might recommend: Our SwingLift ML250, ML500 Short Boom, and ML500 Long Boom cranes. These can all be fitted to any van type, making them extremely versatile and cost-effective options that are perfect for LA applications.
Employee safety is just as important. The right lifting equipment helps reduce manual handling and protects staff from injury.
Depending on your requirements, we might recommend: Our SwingLift Foldaway 500, which fits neatly to a pickup and removes the need for manual heavy lifting in many day-to-day situations.
While versatile models like the SwingLift range suit most tasks, it’s equally important to equip staff with cranes built for specific jobs:
- For lifting drain covers quickly and safely, try our GridLift GL250 or Jetter GridLift
- For lifting gas bottles onto hotbox vehicles, try our SwingLift Hotbox KJ
Investing in specialist cranes like these ensures your teams can work efficiently, safely, and confidently in any situation.
In waste handling, having the right, reliable lifting equipment is essential for safe and efficient operations.
Depending on your requirements, we might recommend: Our van-mounted SwingLift CC100, purpose-built to safely load and unload chemical drums in tight or confined spaces. Its compact design and dependable performance make it an excellent choice for any business involved in waste collection, transport, or disposal.
In mining and forestry, vehicle-mounted cranes must handle heavy workloads and harsh conditions with ease.
Depending on your requirements, we might recommend: Our hydraulic PH400, PH500, and PH510 cranes. These are all built for strength and stability, performing reliably in strong winds and on steep inclines. For operations near the coast or on marine sites, they can also be coated with a corrosion-resistant finish to ensure long-term durability.
In the highways sector, space and efficiency are key. You need lightweight, compact lifting equipment that’s easy for any team member to use and doesn’t compromise your vehicle’s payload or emissions.
Depending on your requirements, we might recommend:
- SwingLift MC250: Weighing just 20kg, this compact crane has minimal impact on vehicle weight, helping you maximise carrying capacity and reduce fleet emissions. It’s trusted by infrastructure support leader Amey, who equipped their fleet with the MC250 in 2017.
- SwingLift CC100: Designed for lifting wacker plates, this ultra-compact crane is ideal where space is limited. At just 20kg, it’s perfect for 3.5 and 7.5-tonne vehicles, allowing crews to safely load and unload plant, signage, or chemical drums without exceeding weight limits.
Our SwingLift CC100 was originally developed in collaboration with Eurovia, one of the UK’s leading highway maintenance providers. They needed a crane compact enough for awkward, confined operations – something the market didn’t offer.
Working closely with their team, Penny Engineering designed and manufactured a bespoke solution that met their exact needs. It’s a great example of what we do best: creating custom-engineered lifting solutions when off-the-shelf options fall short.
In the utilities sector, you need lifting equipment that can safely raise and lower heavy loads down manholes and into confined spaces. Reliability, control, and ease of use are essential on every job.
Depending on your requirements, we might recommend:
- SwingLift ML250 / SwingLift ML500: Both feature high-speed hoists for quick, efficient below-ground handling. These van / flatbed-mounted cranes offer a practical, cost-effective solution for everyday lifting tasks.
- SwingLift KJ250: A favourite amongst utilities companies, featuring a 1.5m boom with two pivot points that allow operators to work within a 3m radius of the vehicle using remote control. This provides excellent flexibility and precision in tight spaces.
For heavier-duty lifting, a high-speed winch can also be added to cranes in our PH range, providing extra power when you need it.
Benefits of a Van, Truck, Trailer, or Lorry-Mounted Crane
Adding a vehicle-mounted crane to your van, truck, or lorry can make everyday lifting tasks faster, safer, and more efficient. From improving health and safety to saving time on site, the advantages are clear:
- Reduced manual handling risks – prevents back, neck, and limb injuries by removing the need for heavy lifting
- Improved efficiency – loads and unloads goods quickly, cutting downtime and speeding up operations
- Greater productivity – enables teams to complete more collections and deliveries in less time
- Compact and lightweight design – adds minimal weight to your vehicle while maintaining maximum payload
- Lower operating costs – fewer injuries and delays mean reduced downtime and higher profit margins
- Enhanced reputation – showing care for staff safety and efficiency builds trust with employees and stakeholders
By fitting the right crane to your vehicle, you’re not just improving daily operations – you’re investing in safer, smarter, and more sustainable working practices for your business.
Why Choose Vehicle-Mounted Cranes from Penny Engineering?
Penny Engineering is a trusted name in vehicle-mounted lifting equipment – designing and manufacturing high-quality, safe, and compliant systems built for maximum value, reliability, and longevity.
As specialists in lifting equipment, we hold a range of ISO certifications that demonstrate our commitment to quality, safety, and environmental responsibility, including:
- ISO 9001:2015 – Quality Management System
- ISO 14001:2015 – Environmental Management System
- ISO 45001:2018 – Occupational Health & Safety Management System
We’re also approved vehicle converters for leading commercial manufacturers, Ford, Renault, Nissan, and Volkswagen. This recognition reflects our deep technical expertise and adherence to the highest industry standards, giving our customers peace of mind that every crane is built and fitted by experienced, qualified professionals.
And we don’t stop there. In the rare event that something goes wrong, our comprehensive after-sales support services ensure you’re never left without help. With a nationwide network of dedicated engineers, we provide fast, knowledgeable assistance to keep your equipment operating smoothly and your business moving forward.
Find the Right Crane for Your Business Today
Looking to improve efficiency and safety within your fleet? Our Product Selector helps you find the ideal vehicle-mounted crane for your application – enabling faster, safer lifting that drives productivity, reduces downtime, and boosts your bottom line.
If your sector isn’t listed or you’d like to explore a bespoke solution, get in touch with our team to discuss lifting equipment tailored to your exact needs.