The Role of Cranes in Construction: What You Need to Know

A construction site is busy: busy with activity, with people, and with various equipment operating at different times for a common purpose. You may already know about the typical pieces of heavy equipment you’d find on a construction site, like bulldozers, excavators or backhoes. But what is the role of mobile cranes in construction? 

Here, we take a closer look at the different types of cranes you might encounter on a job site — and how PTS can arm you with the foundational skills to become a high-earning crane operator. 

Are you ready to elevate your career with mobile crane operator training from PTS? Download our free ebook here and set yourself up for success with a career that rises above the rest. 

Different Types of Mobile Cranes Used in Construction 

Rough Terrain Crane

Designed for working in uneven terrain, this type of mobile crane is ideal for the construction industry. Because it is mounted on a truck, its large tires give it the ability to travel over rough surfaces and it is easy to maneuver. 

Crawler Crane

Instead of wheels, a crawler crane uses tracks to maneuver, which can be useful while on the uneven terrain of a construction site. This type of crane is ideal for carrying heavy loads, like construction materials.

Boom Truck Crane

This piece of equipment is a truck equipped with a hydraulic crane that can lift and move heavy construction materials. These cranes are popular in construction because they are extremely mobile and can be driven along public roads.

Telescopic Crane

This mobile crane can reach extremely high heights, making it perfect for the construction industry, specifically in placing prefabricated materials and demolition. A telescopic crane can be placed on trucks, allowing it to move throughout construction sites easily.

Reach New Heights with PTS

It’s clear that mobile cranes are critically important in the construction industry. Now, what’s the first step towards becoming a mobile crane operator? PTS can help you with your next move.

As one of the nation’s leading heavy equipment and mobile crane operator training schools, we’re eager to help you get on your way towards greatness. According to the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) 2024 Construction Craft Salary Survey, mobile crane operators can make an average of $80,674 a year. PTS can train you to join this rewarding career.

If you’re ready to get started, explore our Mobile Crane Operations course, a three-week, 120-hour program that will give you the necessary skills to find entry-level employment as an NCCCO-certified crane operator. Here, you’ll gain experience operating a Mobile Hydraulic Telescopic Boom Swing-Cab and a Telescopic Boom Fixed-Cab crane and you’ll learn important skills, like crane safety, preventative maintenance and more. 

With our mix of classroom instruction and practical experience, you’ll get the best possible education in mobile crane operations. And you don’t need to worry about college-level material — for our curriculum, you just need a basic 9th grade reading and math understanding.

Are you ready to see for yourself how PTS can help you learn how to operate cranes in construction? Schedule a tour of our Thornville, Ohio facility and earn a $500 tuition reduction scholarship.