Rough terrain cranes carry construction materials to a job site over unpaved, rocky or off-road areas. Cranes for rough terrain have a cab on a rotating superstructure, two axles and a base similar to the bottom of a four-wheel-drive truck. Outriggers stabilize these cranes for hoisting. These telescopic cranes have one engine in the undercarriage. Generally, rough terrain cranes weigh less than truck and crawler cranes.

If you're comparing heavy duty rough terrain cranes, you'll find many models and manufacturers to choose from and a variety of pricing options. Before purchasing a rough terrain crane for construction, evaluate what you're looking for in industrial rough terrain cranes. Rough terrain cranes have varying capacities; they can lift anywhere from 14 to 130 tons. The type of work you do will determine the capacity you need.

1. Browse online for rough terrain cranes with different capacities from various manufacturers.

2. Decide how much you can spend on a crane. They cost tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars, so pricing options, including leasing, may play a role in your choice.

3. Consider buying a used rough terrain crane, depending on how long you'll be using the crane and whether depreciation matters to you.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find rough terrain cranes for sale online

More than a dozen manufacturers make rough terrain cranes. Find sites that gather listings from a variety of crane builders and sellers.

I recommend: Crane Network provides a selection for cranes of all major makes, models and capacities, includes photos and gives prices for most of the cranes. Construction Equipment offers product information and specifications for new retail rough terrain cranes. Equipment Locator Service gives a list of new and used rough terrain cranes.

Choose between buying and leasing a rough terrain crane

Buying and leasing each have distinct advantages. If you want to avoid a down payment and plan to upgrade your rough terrain crane in a few years, you may want to lease the crane.

I recommend: Keep in mind that most crane leasing companies operate regionally. Equipment Trader Online features rough terrain cranes for sale or lease all over the country, depending on availability. If you're in the south, check out Link-Belt Crane Parts. Sterling Equipment Inc. serves the eastern seaboard. Kelly Equipment Company serves the northwest coast.

Consider buying a used rough terrain crane

Whether you need an all-new, state-of-the-art rough terrain crane or can be happy with one of yesteryear's models, you can find it online. Used cranes are still pricey, but they're bound to cost less than newer models. If price is an issue and you don't need the highest capacity or newest features, seek out a used crane.

I recommend: Point2 Used Iron has a list of used rough terrain cranes for sale. Rock and Dirt features used lifting equipment.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure to have the crane thoroughly inspected and appraised before you commit to buying it, especially if you're buying a used rough terrain crane.
• •  Ask your tax adviser if the breaks the IRS gives for leasing will offset the overall cost.