Why Cranes are Essential in Demolition Projects

Why are Cranes Used in Demolition?

The Top Cranes in Demolition

Here's a look at the top cranes used in demolition and what they're typically used for. In general, there are two categories of cranes: static cranes, which are parked and used in a single spot, and mobile cranes, which are designed to move throughout the job site and perform various tasks.

Crawler Cranes

As the name implies, crawler cranes are mobile cranes that feature heavy-duty treads, making it easy for them to navigate all types of terrain. Crawler cranes can lift the heaviest loads of all cranes, making them an ideal choice for larger demolition projects where debris needs to be managed and cleared.

Tower Cranes

A popular type of crane on high-rise construction projects, tower cranes are frequently used to lift steel to ironworkers and other materials so they can be set in place when constructing a building. Tower cranes are also very useful in demolition environments, particularly when it comes to dismantling buildings from the top down. Tower cranes are stationary cranes with significant vertical reach and the ability to accommodate different accessories.

Telescopic Cranes

Telescopic cranes are mobile cranes that are often outfitted with a boom or hydraulic cylinder to demolish parts of a building. Telescopic cranes are versatile, flexible, and easy to transport around a job site, making them an ideal equipment choice for many demolition projects.

All-Terrain Cranes

Fitting to the name, all-terrain cranes can traverse just about any terrain that's in front of them. These mobile cranes can have up to 18 wheels and can lift heavy loads. One other advantage of all-terrain cranes is that they can be driven on roads, making them ideal for transporting demolition debris off-site.

Rough-Terrain Cranes

Rough-terrain cranes are similar to all-terrain cranes except they cannot be driven on roads and they tend to be smaller and lighter, which also limits the loads they're able to handle. One advantage of rough-terrain cranes, especially when it comes to demolition jobs in tight environments, is that their smaller stature allows them to be used in tighter spaces, like within building interiors.

Truck Cranes

The final type of crane we'll discuss is the truck crane. These cranes are flexible and tend to be more affordable than the other options we've noted. They're able to travel on public roads, making them easy to get onto projects, and can traverse many different types of terrain. While they're unable to lift as heavy loads as some of the other cranes on this list, they're still an effective piece of equipment for many demolition jobs.

Advantages of Using Cranes in Demolition

As you can see, cranes are common on demolition projects - largely for the many advantages they offer. Some of the biggest benefits of bringing one or more cranes onto a demolition job site include:

Whether it's a high-rise building, commercial structure, or a road or bridge, cranes can help get the job done fast and efficiently. They can also enhance safety by reducing the amount of manual labor that's happening on-site.



To talk about what type of crane is best for your next project and discuss some of the key considerations that you're weighing, contact Alpine Demolition today. Our estimating and project management team has more than 30 years of experience in demolition and can ensure we pair any job site with the right equipment to meet its needs and meet any specific goals.

For more information on the different cranes in demolition, contact Alpine Demolition today. As experienced demolition contractors serving the greater Chicago area, we have more than 2,000 completed projects to our name and an industry-leading 95 percent customer satisfaction rate to boot. As a full-service contractor, no job is too big or too small for our team.

Browse our full line of services to learn more about Alpine Demolition and contact us today to schedule a consultation and to request a bid on your next project.