Home / Resource Center / What Determines Crane Price
Technical GuideWhat Determines Crane Price
The technical factors behind crane price: capacity, span, duty class, lifting height, speed, controls and runway. A guide to comparing quotes.
The technical inputs that set the price
Capacity: directly sets the size of the hoist unit and the structure.
Span: girder section grows quickly with span. Cutting one or two metres off the span often saves more than expected on most projects.
Lifting height: affects rope length, drum size and the choice of hoist unit.
Duty class: at the same tonnage, a higher class means a stronger hoist unit and a heavier structure. The single biggest hidden factor in a price difference.
Speeds: hoisting, trolley and bridge speeds, and whether VFD speed control is included.
Controls: pendant or radio control, whether an operator's cabin is included.
Power supply: festoon cable or conductor line.
Special requirements: auxiliary hook, weighing system, anti-collision, Ex-proof rating, special paint and corrosion protection, outdoor-rated equipment.
| Item | Question to ask in the quote |
|---|---|
| Duty class | What is the FEM hoist mechanism class and crane group? |
| Runway | Is the rail, fixing and installation included? |
| Power supply | Conductor line or festoon, and who's running the line? |
| Installation | Who owns installation, site lifting and platform work? |
| Commissioning | Is load testing, documentation and training included? |
| Speeds | What are the hoisting and travel speeds, is it VFD-controlled? |
| Controls | Pendant or radio, is a spare transmitter included? |
| Warranty | What's the duration, what does it cover, where's the service based? |
| Spare parts | What's the lead time for critical parts? |
Scope differences in a quote
A large part of the difference between two quotes often comes not from the crane itself but from scope. Ask explicitly whether each of these is included:
The runway and its fixing materials; installing the runway; the power-supply line; transporting the crane to site; the lifting/platform work needed for installation; electrical connection and commissioning; load testing and documentation; operator training; the warranty's scope and duration.
Comparing quotes correctly
- Give everyone the same briefGive every company the same capacity, span, height and duty-cycle information.
- Ask for the duty class in writingRequire the FEM/ISO class to be stated explicitly in the quote.
- Get the scope listedRunway, power, installation, commissioning, training — listed as included/excluded.
- Compare the speedsDifferent speeds at the same tonnage mean a different price.
- Ask about service and sparesNail down the response time for a breakdown and spare-part lead times.
- Look at total cost of ownershipWeigh purchase + installation + maintenance + likely downtime together.
The hidden cost of a cheap quote
A noticeably cheap quote usually comes down to one of three things: the duty class has been set low, the scope is narrow (the runway or installation is excluded), or the components used have poor spare-part availability.
All three get paid for later: a crane that wears out early, a surprise installation invoice, or downtime that drags on because a part can't be found. The question worth weighing alongside price is who will be maintaining this crane in ten years.
Technical terms
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Scope | What a quote includes and excludes. The biggest source of price differences. |
| Commissioning | The post-installation process of adjustment, testing and handover. |
| Total cost of ownership | The purchase price plus maintenance, energy, spare parts and downtime cost over the crane's life. |
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a price over the phone?
A range can be given if you provide capacity, span and lifting height. An exact price can't be given before duty class and scope are settled — and if it is, it changes later.
Is it wrong to just take the cheapest quote?
Not if the scope and class match. If they don't, you're not actually comparing the same product.