Tilt Tray Truck Crane
Hire in Melbourne
Drive On, Winch On, or Crane On
A tilt tray truck has a hydraulic tray that tilts to ground level, so machinery, vehicles and equipment can be driven or winched straight on without being lifted. A tilt tray truck crane adds a mounted crane to the same vehicle, which covers the items that cannot be driven on either.
That combination handles almost anything. Machines that run get driven on. Machines that do not get winched. Anything without wheels gets craned.
Why Not Just Use a Crane Truck?
A crane truck and a tilt tray both transport loads, but they handle them differently. A crane truck lifts items with suitable lifting points onto a fixed tray, making it ideal for steel, containers, tanks and packaged building materials. A tilt tray lowers its bed to the ground so excavators, bobcats, forklifts, scissor lifts and vehicles can drive or be winched aboard without being slung. On combination units, the crane can also load pallets, attachments and awkward items alongside the main machine. We provide the right transport option across Melbourne, Geelong, Bacchus Marsh and Western Victoria. Tell us what is being moved and whether it runs.
What This Vehicle Does Well
Five things define it:
Loads without lifting. Tray tilts to ground level so equipment drives or winches on, with no slinging, no rigging, and no lifting points required.
Handles non-runners. Integrated winch pulls machines and vehicles that will not start, have failed, or cannot be driven safely.
Crane for the rest. Mounted crane loads attachments, pallets, parts, and items that cannot be driven on, in the same visit.
Protects the load. No point loading through lifting eyes, no strain on hydraulics or drivetrain, and no risk of sling damage to bodywork or panels.
One vehicle, whole job. Collection, transport, and delivery handled by a single unit, with loading equipment carried on board at both ends.
What This Vehicle Does Well
Five things define it:
Loads without lifting
Handles non-runners
Crane for the rest
Protects the load
One vehicle, whole job
What Tilt Tray Truck Cranes Move
Excavators and Earthmoving Plant
Excavators, bobcats, skid steers, rollers and compact earthmoving machines relocated between sites, yards and hire depots.
Forklifts and Materials Handling
Forklifts, telehandlers, order pickers and warehouse equipment moved between facilities without lifting through the mast or forks.
Containers and Portable Buildings
Shipping containers, site sheds, portable offices, toilets and storage units delivered and positioned on prepared ground.
Vehicle and Plant Recovery
Non-running machinery, damaged vehicles, breakdowns and failed equipment recovered from site and transported to workshop.
Generators, Compressors and Plant
Generators, compressors, pumps, welders and skid-mounted equipment moved between sites and depots for hire or maintenance.
Access Equipment
Scissor lifts, boom lifts, knuckle booms and EWPs are transported between sites, which is regular work for hire companies and contractors.
Call us now at 0457 000 637.
How the Hire Works
How the Hire Works
Start with the weight, the dimensions,s and whether it runs.
Start with the weight, the dimensions,s and whether it runs.
Send the machine details
What is being moved, its weight and dimensions, whether it runs, ground clearance, and the access at both collection and delivery.
Send the machine details
What is being moved, its weight and dimensions, whether it runs, ground clearance, and the access at both collection and delivery.
Vehicle matched and quoted
Payload, tray length, and loading angle checked against the machine, crane requirement confirmed, and a quote issued with travel itemized.
Vehicle matched and quoted
Payload, tray length, and loading angle checked against the machine, crane requirement confirmed, and a quote issued with travel itemized.
Booking confirmed
Operator assigned, SWMS and lift plan prepared, rigging gear loaded. The crane drives to your site ready to work on arrival.
Booking confirmed
Operator assigned, SWMS and lift plan prepared, rigging gear loaded. The crane drives to your site ready to work on arrival.
Collection and delivery
Machine loaded, restrained, transported,d and unloaded at the delivery point. Docket signed on completion.
Collection and delivery
Machine loaded, restrained, transported,d and unloaded at the delivery point. Docket signed on completion.
What Comes With the Truck
Six things covered as part of the hire:
Licensed operator supplied. The truck comes with a driver holding the correct license class and tickets for the vehicle and crane.
Load assessment first. Weight, dimensions, ground clearance, running condition, and access at both ends are confirmed before the booking.
Winch and loading gear. Winch, ramps, chocks, and loading equipment carried on board for runners and non-runners alike.
Load restraint handled. Chains, straps and restraint arranged to meet load restraint requirements for the machine being carried.
Permits where required. Oversize approvals, road occupancy and traffic management arranged where the load or the site calls for it.
Insurance in place. Comprehensive and public liability cover, with certificates available before work commences.
Moving a machine that will not start? Call 0457 000 637 and tell us upfront, because winch loading changes the access and time requirements at both ends.
What Comes With the Truck
Six things covered as part of the hire:
Every Lift Meets Safety Standard
What is a tilt tray truck?
A truck with a hydraulic tray that tilts to ground level, allowing machinery, vehicles and equipment to be driven or winched on rather than lifted. A tilt tray truck crane has a crane mounted as well, so items that cannot be driven on are loaded by hook.
What is the difference between a tilt tray and a crane truck?
A crane truck lifts loads onto a fixed tray using a hook and slings. A tilt tray lowers the tray to the ground so the load rolls or winches on. Wheeled and tracked machines, vehicles and anything without safe lifting points suit a tilt tray. Items with proper lifting points suit a crane truck.
How much can a tilt tray truck carry?
It varies by vehicle. Smaller tilt trays used for vehicle transport typically carry a few tonnes, while machinery specification trucks carry considerably more. Send us the machine weight, and we will confirm which unit suits.
Can you move a machine that does not run?
Yes. That is one of the main reasons this vehicle exists. An onboard winch pulls non-running machinery and vehicles up the tray. Tell us upfront, because winch loading takes longer and needs clear access behind the truck.
Will it damage my machine?
Loading without slings avoids point loading through lifting eyes and removes any risk of sling contact with panels, hydraulics or bodywork. It is generally the gentlest way to move wheeled and tracked plant.
What if my machine sits very low?
Ground clearance and approach angle need checking against the loading angle at full tilt. Low profile machines and vehicles can foul on the ramp, and we confirm this before the booking rather than discovering it on site.
Do I need the crane as well?
Only if part of the load cannot be driven or winched on. Attachments, buckets, pallets, parts and loose items often justify the combination unit, while a straight machine move may not need the crane at all.
Do I need permits?
Standard machinery moves within legal dimensions do not. Oversize loads and jobs where the truck occupies road or footpath during loading generally do. We identify what applies and arrange it.
Is an operator included?
Yes. The truck is supplied with a licensed driver and operator as standard, including loading and restraint at both ends.
What does tilt tray truck crane hire cost in Melbourne?
Rates depend on distance, machine size, and whether winching or crane work is involved. Point-to-point machinery moves are usually quoted as a job rather than hourly. Call 0457 000 637 with the details.
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. Interstate and regional machinery transport is arranged on request.
0457 000 637
Open 24 hours
25 Rowsley Station Rd, Maddingley VIC 3340
Contact Us
The truck runs from our depot at 25 Rowsley Station Rd, Maddingley VIC 3340, directly on the Western Freeway. For machinery transport, that position is genuinely useful, because moves between metro sites and regional Victoria run on a route built for heavy vehicles rather than through suburban traffic. Maidstone generates steady plant movement across its older industrial stock and infill construction sites. Compact excavators, bobcats and access equipment come and go from tight blocks constantly, and the loading angle usually matters more there than the payload does.