Crane Hire – Melbourne

The cost of hiring a crane in Melbourne, VIC 3000 varies depending on several factors, including the type of crane, its lifting capacity (in tonnes), location, and whether wet hire (operator and rigger included) or dry hire is required (noting that dry hire is pretty rare for cranes). For instance, a 12-tonne Franna crane typically starts at $170 per hour for wet hire, while a tower crane can cost approximately $15,000 per month, with additional fees for installation and disassembly.

Read More: Crane hire rates

On iseekplant, you'll find five main types of cranes (excluding crane trucks and Hiabs), each with numerous size variations based on lifting capacity (expressed in tonnes). These categories include:

• Crawler Cranes and Mini Crawler Cranes: Both are track-mounted, making them ideal for uneven or rugged terrain.
• Mobile Slewing Cranes: Often referred to as city cranes or mobile hydraulic cranes, these cranes offer flexibility and easy manoeuvrability.
• Non-Slewing Mobile Cranes: Commonly called Frannas, these versatile cranes are perfect for lifting and moving loads without slewing.
• Tower Cranes: The iconic fixed cranes towering above major commercial construction sites, offering unmatched height and lifting capabilities. No matter your project requirements, iseekplant connects you with the right crane for the job!

Read more: Type of construction cranes

The type of crane you need comes down to the payload you're lifting, the ground you're operating on and the height you need the lift to extend to.

On unstable ground - you need a crawler crane, or mini crawler. If you are lifting and shift on the vertical and horizontal axis, you need a slewing crane. If you're simply lifting and dumping a load on a straight axis, then a Franna will do. There are also rough terrain cranes for really uneven ground or tower cranes if you need a permanent lift over a commercial job site.

Yes, but it’s uncommon. Dry hire is rarely offered by crane companies due to the safety impacts of operating cranes.

While dry hire cranes are available on iseekplant, most crane hires are typically offered on a wet hire basis.

Additionally, nearly all crane activities on Australian job sites require the presence of a licensed rigger. A rigger not only operates the crane but also oversees the administrative aspects of the job, such as conducting a lift study to ensure safe and compliant operations.

You need a High Risk License to operate any crane or any earthmoving machine, such as a crane.

On all Australian job sites almost all crane activities require a rigger to be present - someone capable of operating the crane, and the administrative process of conducting a 'lift study'.