16T Bubble Crane
Hire in Melbourne
16 Tonne City Crane, Reach to Around 30 Meters
A 16 tonne bubble crane is a city class mobile crane that lifts up to 16,000 kg from a narrow carrier, with boom configurations reaching around 30 meters. In practice, it is often the longest-reaching machine in the bubble class.
That surprises people. The 20 tonne machine carries more weight but does not necessarily reach further, because a lighter crane can carry a longer boom. When the load is moderate but sits a long way from where the crane can stand, the 16 tonne is frequently the correct answer.
When Distance Is the Problem,
Not Weight
Some lifting jobs involve a relatively light load that must travel a long way from the only available crane setup point. This includes placing air conditioning units on commercial roofs, spas in deep backyards, materials at the rear of long sites and plant on hard-to-reach structures. For these jobs, radius matters more than maximum capacity. The 16-tonne bubble crane maintains useful lifting capacity at 25 to 30 metres, making it ideal for long-reach lifts across Melbourne, Geelong, Bacchus Marsh or Western Victoria. At full extension, it may lift only a few hundred kilograms, but that is often exactly what the job requires. Tell us the weight and how far out it has to go.
What the 16 Tonne Does Best
Five things define this machine:
Longest reach in the class. Boom and fly configurations that extend further than the heavier machines in the bubble range.
Useful capacity at distance. Holds workable weight out where smaller city cranes have already run out of chart.
Narrow carrier retained. Keeps the confined access advantage that defines the bubble class despite the extended boom.
Spans obstacles. Reaches across buildings, wide setbacks, landscaping, and structures the crane cannot get near.
Drives to site. No float transport, so mobilization is faster and cheaper than any tracked machine.
Does Best
Five things define this machine:
Longest reach in the class
Useful capacity at distance
Narrow carrier retained
Spans obstacles
Drives to site
Compact Crane Hire in Melbourne
Compact Crane Hire in Melbourne
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Where 16T Bubble Cranes Get Used
Rooftop Plant Over Buildings
Air conditioning units, chillers, and services equipment placed on the far side of commercial roofs where the crane cannot get close to the set-down point.
Deep Block Residential Lifts
Spas, pool shells, trees, boulders, and pods placed into rear yards on long blocks where the street is the only setup position.
Multi-Level Material Handling
Materials, packs and equipment lifted to upper levels and set back positions on construction sites with restricted frontage.
Structural Steel at Distance
Beams, trusses and steel members placed across a site or over existing structures from a single fixed setup.
Plant Maintenance and Industrial
Components and equipment lifted over and around operating plant where the crane must stand clear of the working area.
Signage, Towers and Structures
Signage, antennas, light towers and elevated fixtures installed at height where access to the base is restricted.
Call us now at 0457 000 637.
How the Job Runs
How the Job Runs
Start with the weight and the distance out.
Start with the weight and the distance out.
Send the weight and the distance
Load weight and dimensions, the distance from the setup position to the set down point, hook height, what has to be cleared, and any overhead services.
Send the weight and the distance
Load weight and dimensions, the distance from the setup position to the set down point, hook height, what has to be cleared, and any overhead services.
Chart checked at your radius
Boom and fly configuration selected, capacity verified at the actual working distance, setup position confirmed, and a quote issued with costs itemized.
Chart checked at your radius
Boom and fly configuration selected, capacity verified at the actual working distance, setup position confirmed, and a quote issued with costs itemized.
Approvals and scheduling
Road occupancy and traffic management arranged where required, spotters booked if powerlines are involved, and dates locked to your program.
Approvals and scheduling
Road occupancy and traffic management arranged where required, spotters booked if powerlines are involved, and dates locked to your program.
Lift day
Crane drives to site, sets up on outriggers, boom rigged to the planned configuration, lifts completed, then packs down and departs.
Lift day
Crane drives to site, sets up on outriggers, boom rigged to the planned configuration, lifts completed, then packs down and departs.
What Comes With the Crane
Six things covered as part of the hire:
Licensed operator supplied. Every crane comes with a ticketed operator holding the correct class of license.
Radius verified before quoting. Setup position, working radius, boom configuratio,n and chart capacity confirmed before the job is accepted.
Traffic management arranged. Road occupancy permits, traffic control plans and accredited crews where the crane occupies road or footpath.
Electrical spotters where required. Certified spotters supplied for work near overhead powerlines, which extended boom work makes more likely.
Crew supplied as needed. Riggers and dogmen, and spotters matched to the complexity of the lift.
Lift documentation prepared. SWMS, ground bearing calculations and engineered lift plans where the builder or council requires them.
Lifting at extended radius over a structure? Call 0457 000 637 with the distances, because chart capacity at that reach determines whether the job is viable.
What Comes With the Crane
Six things covered as part of the hire:
Every Lift Meets Safety Standard
What is a 16T bubble crane?
A city class mobile crane lifting up to 16 tonnes from a narrow carrier built for confined urban access. Bubble crane and city crane mean the same thing, with the name coming from the rounded operator cab.
How far can a 16T bubble crane reach?
Around 30 meters with a fly attachment fitted, depending on the model. Capacity at that distance is a few hundred kilograms rather than tonnes, so the working figure depends entirely on your radius.
Why would a 16T reach further than a 20T?
A lighter crane can carry a longer boom on the same carrier, so reach and capacity do not scale together across the class. If your constraint is distance rather than weight, the 16 tonne is often the better machine despite the lower rating.
How much can it lift at full reach?
A few hundred kilograms at maximum extension is typical for this class. That sounds modest, but it covers a large share of the jobs where reach is the actual problem, such as rooftop units and rear yard placements.
Should I hire a 13T, 16T or 20T bubble crane?
Radius decides it more than tonnage. Close in with a tight setup area favors the 13 tonne; long reach with moderate weight favors the 16 tonne, and heavy loads at shorter radius favor the 20 tonne. Send us the weight and distance, and we will check the charts.
Do you offer dry hire?
Wet hire with a licensed operator is our standard arrangement. Dry hire inquiries are considered case by case, subject to operator ticketing, insurance and site requirements.
Do I need permits?
If the crane stands on the road, footpath or nature strip, generally yes. Road occupancy permits and traffic management plans are arranged as part of the engagement and coordinated with the relevant council.
What about powerlines?
Extended boom work near overhead services requires exclusion zones and a certified electrical spotter. Because this machine works at a longer radius, the boom path crosses more airspace, so we assess overhead services carefully during the site review.
Is an operator included?
Yes. All cranes are supplied with a licensed operator as standard, with riggers, dogmen and spotters supplied where the lift requires them.
What does 16T bubble crane hire cost in Melbourne?
Hourly, day and weekly rates apply, with travel from our Maddingley depot, permits and traffic management itemized separately where required. Call 0457 000 637 for a figure against your job.
Which areas do you cover?
All Melbourne metro suburbs, with Maidstone, Werribee and Caroline Springs among the areas we attend most often, extending through Geelong, Bacchus Marsh, Melton and Ballarat. Regional work is arranged on request.
0457 000 637
Open 24 hours
25 Rowsley Station Rd, Maddingley VIC 3340
Contact Us
The crane drives to site from our depot at 25 Rowsley Station Rd, Maddingley VIC 3340, directly on the Western Freeway. No float transport is involved, which keeps mobilization cost down and makes short notice bookings realistic. Maidstone has the long, narrow blocks that make reach the deciding factor. The crane can only stand at the front, the work is often at the rear, and the distance between the two is what rules machines in or out. Extended boom configurations solve jobs there that a shorter-reaching crane cannot attempt.