Crane Hire Melbourne FAQ

Call 0457 000 637 or send the details through our quote form. Tell us the site address, what you are lifting and when you need the crane. We will recommend the right crane and crew and send you a price.

The more we know, the more accurate the quote. Please send:

• the site address and your preferred date and time
• what is being lifted, its weight and size (include slings and lifting gear in the weight)
• how far the crane needs to reach from where it can stand, and how high
• access limits such as narrow driveways, soft ground, slopes, trees or powerlines
• photos, drawings or a site plan if you have them

You can also sketch the job in our free crane lift planner.

For most Melbourne and Geelong jobs we can mobilise the same day or the next morning, subject to crane availability. Larger all terrain cranes that need counterweight trucks or permits take longer to organise. For breakdowns and urgent lifts, see emergency crane hire.

Yes. Before we confirm a crane we review where it can stand, outrigger space, ground conditions, overhead powerlines and the lift path, using the address, photos and drawings you send. For complex or heavy lifts we can prepare an engineered lift plan.

Our starting rates include GST and a licensed operator:

• Compact and bubble cranes: from $187 to $214.50 per hour
• Franna cranes (20T–40T): from $214.50 to $286 per hour
• All terrain cranes (30T–250T): from $220 to $803 per hour
• Crawler spider cranes (2.8T–4T): from $165 to $198 per hour
• Tracked carriers (dry hire): from $440 to $660 per day

See every crane on our crane hire rates page, and what changes the final price in our Melbourne crane hire cost guide.

Yes. Most Franna, compact, bubble and smaller all terrain cranes (up to 50T) have a 4-hour minimum. 55T and 60T all terrain cranes have a 6-hour minimum, and 70T and larger all terrain cranes and crawler spider cranes have an 8-hour minimum. Tracked carriers are hired by the day.

Yes. Our standard crane hire is wet hire, which includes a licensed, experienced operator. Dry hire is available for approved clients with appropriately ticketed personnel. Tracked carriers are dry hire. Read more about wet and dry crane hire.

Depending on the job, a quote can also include:

• overtime at $82.50 per hour per worker for work outside 7am–3:30pm Monday to Friday, on weekends and public holidays, or after 8 hours of continuous hire
• a 7% fuel levy on crane hire
• counterweight transport for 60T and larger all terrain cranes
• VicRoads permits for 80T and larger cranes
• dogmen, riggers, electrical spotters and traffic controllers
• council permits and a traffic guidance scheme if the crane works on a road or footpath

All of these are listed with prices on our rates page.

Yes. All prices on our website include GST.

It depends on three things: the weight of the load (including slings and lifting gear), the distance from the crane to where the load is set down (the radius), and how high it needs to go. A crane's tonnage rating applies only close in, so capacity drops as the radius grows. Try our free crane calculator, browse the crane fleet, or send us the details and we will size it for you.

A Franna is a pick-and-carry crane: it lifts the load, drives it across the site and places it without setting up outriggers, which makes it fast for steel, machinery and materials on open, level ground. An all terrain crane sets up on outriggers and slews, so it can lift heavier loads, reach further and lift over buildings.

For narrow side access, doorways and inside buildings, a crawler spider crane is usually the answer. For tight streets and residential jobs, our compact and bubble cranes set up in a small footprint. Tracked carriers move heavy materials through gates and side paths. See tight access crane hire.

If the crane, its outriggers or the load path takes up part of a road or footpath, the local council usually needs an occupation permit, and traffic management may be required. We can prepare a traffic guidance scheme ($467.50) and submit the permit for you ($423.50 per permit). Council fees are extra and vary by council. Allow time for approval when you plan the lift.

Yes, with the right controls. We can supply licensed electrical spotters and plan the lift around the no-go zones set by Energy Safe Victoria.

Yes. Every crane has a maximum wind speed in its load chart, and loads with a large surface area such as precast panels, glass and air conditioning units often have a lower limit set in the lift plan. Thunderstorms stop lifting, and heavy rain or fog pauses it if the operator can’t see the load. Check the hourly crane wind forecast for wind and gust speeds at boom height before you book.

Yes. We supply dogmen and riggers from $137.50 per hour, electrical spotters from $126.50 per hour and traffic controllers from $132 per hour (4-hour minimum, inc GST), so the whole lift is organised in one booking.

Yes. All Crane2U operators are licensed for the cranes they operate and are experienced on Melbourne construction, commercial and residential sites.

We hire cranes across Melbourne and Regional Victoria. We work regularly in Melbourne's west and north-west, including Werribee, Hoppers Crossing, Truganina, Derrimut, Laverton North, Sunshine West, Deer Park, St Albans, Altona, Brooklyn, Melton and Caroline Springs, as well as Bacchus Marsh, Geelong and Ballarat. For any other Melbourne suburb, send us the site address and we will confirm availability and travel. See all service areas.

Our depot is at 25 Rowsley Station Rd, Maddingley VIC 3340, on the Western Freeway. See crane hire in Melbourne and crane hire in Bacchus Marsh.