CRANE TRUCK BUYING
Sell Your Crane Truck
Own a crane-equipped truck you are considering selling? EasyTruckBuyer considers telescopic boom trucks, knuckle-boom trucks, crane-equipped flatbeds, service crane trucks, and other complete crane-mounted commercial trucks from sellers across the United States.
Whether your truck is still in service, has been retired, or needs repairs, you can submit its information for an individual evaluation. Tell us about the truck chassis, installed crane, current condition, and location. We review the available details before deciding whether an offer is possible.
Buying trucks since 2007 | Serving all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii | Free towing with accepted truck purchases
Ready to begin? Use the evaluation form on this page to tell us about your crane truck.
You can also request an offer through our general truck submission page.
Tell Us About Your Crane Truck
Start with the truck details and condition you know. Additional crane specifications may be requested.
QUICK ANSWER
Can I Sell My Crane Truck to EasyTruckBuyer?
Yes. You can submit a complete crane-equipped truck for evaluation, including an older, high-mileage, damaged, or non-running vehicle.
EasyTruckBuyer considers all kinds of trucks, but not every inquiry results in an offer or purchase.
For an initial request, provide the truck’s year, make, model, mileage if known, current location, and operating condition. Details about the mounted crane are particularly helpful because the lifting equipment may have its own manufacturer, model, age, serial number, and maintenance history.
You do not need every technical specification to get started. If the crane’s model, capacity, or operating hours are unknown, explain what you know rather than guessing.
Types of Crane Trucks We Consider
The term crane truck covers several vehicle configurations. Some carry materials and use a mounted crane to load or place them. Others are built primarily for lifting work.
These distinctions matter when describing the truck you want to sell.
Telescopic Boom Trucks
Telescopic boom trucks have a relatively straight boom that extends in sections. Many use a cable hoist and hook block to raise and lower loads.
Depending on the crane model, the equipment may include outriggers, a jib, a hydraulic winch, load-monitoring equipment, and either stand-up controls or a seated operator position.
These trucks are used in construction, equipment installation, utility-related work, and other lifting applications.
When submitting a telescopic boom truck, useful information includes:
- Crane manufacturer, model, and identification number.
- Boom length and configuration, if known.
- Rated lifting information from the applicable specifications or load chart.
- Presence of a jib, winch, hook block, and outriggers.
- Known hydraulic, structural, or control-system problems.
The complete truck matters, not just the crane. Chassis condition, axle configuration, engine, transmission, and roadworthiness should also be described.
Knuckle-Boom and Articulating Crane Trucks
A knuckle-boom crane uses an articulated boom with joints that allow the equipment to fold into a relatively compact position.
These cranes are frequently installed on trucks used for material delivery, loading, unloading, and specialized handling.
The crane may sit behind the cab, near the rear of the truck, or in another engineered mounting arrangement.
Depending on the model, equipment can include hydraulic extensions, stabilizers, a radio remote controller, a grapple, forks, a jib, or an optional winch.
Not every knuckle-boom crane has the same accessories or lifting system.
When describing one, identify the actual crane model and its installed equipment. A truck with a basic articulated loader crane is not necessarily equivalent to one with a larger crane, additional extensions, or specialized handling attachments.
Crane-Equipped Flatbed Trucks
Some flatbed trucks combine an open cargo platform with a mounted crane.
These vehicles can transport materials and use their lifting equipment for loading, unloading, or placement.
Important details include the crane mounting position, bed dimensions, chassis axle arrangement, hydraulic equipment, and condition of the flatbed structure.
A flatbed with a fully functioning crane is different from a truck whose crane has been removed, partially dismantled, or damaged.
If the truck’s bed has been modified to accommodate lifting equipment, mention the changes and any supporting documentation.
Service and Mechanic Crane Trucks
A service crane truck usually combines a utility or mechanic body with lifting equipment used during maintenance or repair work.
These cranes may be hydraulic, electric, or electric-hydraulic, depending on the model.
The body may also contain tool compartments, compressors, generators, and other work equipment.
When submitting a service crane truck, explain which components remain installed and are included in the proposed sale.
For example, a truck might have a functioning crane but a damaged compressor, or a complete service body with a missing crane remote.
A smaller mechanic crane should not be described as having the same capacity or functions as a large telescopic boom truck.
Other Specialized Roadgoing Crane Vehicles
Some purpose-built highway crane carriers are commonly described as truck-mounted or truck cranes.
These vehicles may have dedicated crane superstructures, specialized carriers, multiple axles, and equipment arrangements that differ substantially from an ordinary commercial truck with an attached crane.
If you own one, provide its exact model and configuration for an individual determination. Do not assume that every roadgoing mobile crane falls within the same purchase category.
This page primarily concerns complete crane-equipped trucks. Standalone tower cranes, crawler cranes, rough-terrain cranes, detached lifting equipment, personnel bucket trucks, and digger derricks are distinct categories and should not automatically be treated as eligible crane-truck purchases.
A Crane Truck Has Two Sets of Important Specifications
A crane truck combines a carrier vehicle and specialized lifting machinery. Both need to be described accurately.
A complete vehicle might have one manufacturer for its chassis and a different manufacturer for its crane. The two components may also have different production years, operating histories, and identification numbers.
Identifying the Truck Chassis
The chassis information establishes the road vehicle being offered.
Useful details include:
- Truck manufacturer, model, model year, and VIN.
- Cab and axle configuration.
- Gross vehicle weight rating, if known.
- Engine, transmission, drivetrain, and mileage.
- Tire, brake, suspension, and frame condition.
- Whether the truck starts, drives, steers, and brakes.
The frame and mounting area are especially relevant because they support the installed crane and transfer loads through the vehicle structure.
Describe known chassis modifications, mounting damage, collision repairs, or structural concerns.
A crane truck may have low road mileage but substantial lifting-system use, or high mileage with comparatively little recorded crane operation. Mileage alone does not describe both systems.
Identifying the Mounted Crane
A crane may have its own manufacturer’s identification plate, serial number, model designation, and operating-hour information.
Manufacturers such as National Crane, Manitex, Palfinger, Hiab, and Stellar produce different lifting equipment configurations.
If available, identify:
- Crane manufacturer and model.
- Crane serial number.
- Crane model year, if known.
- Operating hours, if recorded.
- Main boom and jib configuration.
- Applicable capacity specifications or load chart.
- Included accessories, controls, and attachments.
- Previous remounting, replacement, or major modifications.
If the crane has been installed on a replacement chassis, disclose that history when known. Do not represent the truck and crane as the same model year unless the information supports it.
Why Crane Capacity and Working Radius Matter
An advertised crane capacity is not the weight the crane can lift at every boom length or working radius.
For example, National Crane publishes maximum capacities at specified radii for particular boom-truck models. The applicable load chart provides the details needed to understand the lifting configuration.
Some articulating loader cranes are also described using a lifting-moment rating, often expressed in tonne-metres. A lifting-moment rating is not interchangeable with a maximum lifted-weight figure.
For a selling inquiry, the crane’s exact model and available manufacturer specifications are more helpful than an unsupported statement about how many tons it can lift.
Relevant differences include boom extension, working radius, outrigger configuration, attachments, and model-specific limits.
If the load chart is missing, identify that as a missing document. Do not perform a test lift or estimate capacity from appearance.
PTO, Hydraulics, and Crane Controls
Crane-truck power systems differ by design.
Some use a truck-driven power take-off, hydraulic pump, and related components. Others, particularly certain smaller service cranes, may use electric or electric-hydraulic equipment.
Hydraulic systems may control boom extension, boom elevation, rotation, outriggers, or other functions. Hoisting equipment can involve a separate winch and wire rope, depending on the model.
Relevant condition details include known problems with:
- Hydraulic cylinders, hoses, pumps, or valves.
- Boom extension and rotation mechanisms.
- Winches, wire rope, hooks, and lifting attachments where equipped.
- Outriggers, stabilizers, and their supporting components.
- Manual, wireless, or electronic control systems.
- Installed load-monitoring and safety-related equipment.
Some cranes have load moment indicators, anti-two-block devices, or other model-specific operational aids. These should not be assumed present on every crane truck.
Report missing controls, warning indications, known malfunctions, or repairs. You do not need to operate potentially unsafe equipment to describe its condition.
Can I Sell an Older, Damaged, or Non-Running Crane Truck?
You can submit a crane truck that is no longer in normal service. Its condition will be considered when deciding whether a purchase is possible.
The most useful approach is to describe the truck chassis and mounted crane separately.
Older and High-Mileage Crane Trucks
An older crane truck may still have functioning lifting equipment, or it may have accumulated significant wear in both its roadgoing and crane systems.
Provide available mileage, crane hours if recorded, service history, and the approximate length of time the vehicle has been parked.
A crane truck that has not operated for several years should not be represented as currently ready for lifting work without appropriate verification.
An unknown condition is different from a confirmed working condition.
A Running Truck With a Damaged Crane
The underlying vehicle may drive normally while its lifting equipment requires repairs.
Possible issues include hydraulic leaks, a malfunctioning winch, damaged outriggers, missing controllers, or problems with boom sections.
Explain whether the issue has been diagnosed and whether supporting repair information is available.
Damage to a load-bearing structure or stability system is more significant than ordinary cosmetic wear. Describe it accurately, without minimizing the concern.
A Working Crane on a Non-Running Truck
The reverse situation is also possible.
A crane may have been functioning when the carrier vehicle developed an engine, transmission, electrical, or braking problem.
Describe the crane’s last known operating condition, when it was last used, and what is known about the truck’s current mobility.
If the vehicle cannot start, steer, roll, or brake normally, include that information. It may affect transportation planning.
Do not assume that a previously functioning crane remains operational after a long period of storage.
Structural Damage, Missing Parts, and Modifications
A crane truck may have damaged or previously repaired boom sections, alterations to the mounting system, missing outriggers, unavailable remote controls, or other incomplete equipment.
Previous repairs and modifications can require further verification, especially when they affect lifting capacity, stability, or safe operation.
Available repair records may help describe the work performed, but a repair invoice alone does not prove that the equipment meets every applicable operating requirement.
If equipment has a known safety-related defect, do not conduct a lifting demonstration or attempt to reposition it for a sales inquiry.
What Affects the Potential Value of a Crane Truck?
A crane truck’s potential value cannot be determined reliably from chassis mileage or advertised lifting capacity alone.
Useful considerations include the characteristics of the complete vehicle, its installed equipment, current condition, and the circumstances of a possible transaction.
Crane Model, Reach, and Configuration
Crane manufacturers offer different models, boom lengths, attachments, operating systems, and lifting capabilities.
The actual configuration can matter more than a broad description such as “20-ton crane truck” or “hydraulic boom truck.”
A telescopic boom crane, a knuckle-boom loader crane, and a service crane meet different operating needs. Their ratings and equipment should not be compared as though they were identical.
Truck and Crane Mechanical Condition
Relevant chassis factors include engine, transmission, drivetrain, frame, brake, and suspension condition.
The lifting equipment introduces other considerations, including boom condition, structural integrity, hydraulics, outriggers, winch components, controls, and known defects.
A vehicle with a functioning engine but major crane damage presents a different situation from one with an intact crane and failed truck drivetrain.
Maintenance and Inspection History
Service records can provide useful context about previous repairs, operating history, and equipment condition.
Truck mileage and crane operating hours should be recorded separately when possible.
A crane’s hour meter, when present, does not reveal every aspect of its working history. The types of loads handled, maintenance practices, previous incidents, and documented structural repairs may also matter.
Accessories, Completeness, and Modifications
The included equipment should be clearly identified.
Depending on the crane, this may include a jib, remote control, winch equipment, hook block, lifting attachments, or manufacturer documentation.
Missing accessories, altered components, and incomplete repairs may affect the evaluation.
Do not describe equipment as complete when important components have been removed or are being sold separately.
Location and Transportation Practicality
A roadworthy crane truck in an accessible yard presents different collection requirements from a non-running truck at a restricted job site.
The crane’s dimensions, roadgoing configuration, weight, condition, and location may affect the practicality of a transaction.
There is no single publicly stated EasyTruckBuyer pricing formula for crane trucks, and no particular purchase price or offer is guaranteed.
What Information Should I Prepare Before Selling a Crane Truck?
You can begin with the information you already have. More detailed records may help describe the vehicle, but an initial inquiry does not require a complete engineering file.
Basic Truck and Crane Information
Prepare the following details when available:
Truck chassis
- Year, make, model, and VIN.
- Mileage and engine hours, if recorded.
- Cab, axle, and body configuration.
- Whether the truck starts and drives.
- Known mechanical or structural problems.
Mounted crane
- Manufacturer, model, and serial number.
- Approximate crane age and operating hours, if known.
- Boom type and configuration.
- Available rated-capacity information.
- Included jib, remotes, attachments, and accessories.
- Known crane defects, missing parts, or previous major repairs.
Location and condition
- Current ZIP code and general storage location.
- Whether the truck can roll, steer, and brake.
- Whether the boom is already in a suitable travel position.
- Known access restrictions or transportation concerns.
- Any uncertainty about the vehicle’s condition.
If a specification is missing, mark it as unknown. Accurate partial information is preferable to guessed technical details.
Photographs That May Help
If photographs are requested or available, useful views include the complete truck from several sides, the crane in its existing safe parked position, and visible condition details.
Additional useful images may show:
- Chassis and crane identification labels.
- Boom sections and mounting structures.
- Outriggers or stabilizers.
- Existing remote controls or operator controls.
- Cab interior and odometer.
- Visible damage, leaks, corrosion, or missing equipment.
Do not climb, extend the boom, perform a lift, or operate defective equipment merely to take photographs.
A VIN or photographs can help identify the truck, but they are not mandatory before making the initial request through EasyTruckBuyer’s existing offer process.
Maintenance and Inspection Records
Available records may include:
- Truck maintenance invoices.
- Crane inspection reports.
- Hydraulic-system repair history.
- Boom or structural repair documentation.
- Manufacturer manuals and load charts.
- Equipment modification records.
These are generally useful supporting documents, not a universal list of documents required simply to inquire about selling a crane truck.
Inspection obligations vary with the equipment, workplace, activity, and applicable rules.
For example, OSHA’s construction crane scope includes truck-mounted cranes in covered operations but also specifies exclusions for certain activities involving articulating cranes and mechanic trucks.
Its crane inspection provisions apply to covered equipment and activities. Separately, commercial motor vehicle inspection rules may apply to the carrier truck.
The absence of a particular inspection document does not automatically answer whether a sale is legally possible or whether the crane is safe to operate.
Titles, Equipment Ownership, and Liens
Before a crane truck can be transferred, the parties need to establish the seller’s authority to sell the vehicle and the included equipment.
Depending on the transaction and applicable state rules, relevant documentation may include a vehicle title or other acceptable proof of ownership, lien-release information, business authorization, or additional records.
For a business-owned crane truck, confirm who is authorized to approve the sale and sign the required paperwork.
Also consider whether the crane, chassis, or other installed equipment is subject to a separate lease, financing agreement, or security interest.
If the crane was acquired or financed separately, disclose that arrangement. A vehicle title alone should not be assumed to resolve every possible claim involving the mounted machinery.
Missing titles, outstanding liens, and unclear ownership arrangements may require further review and could prevent a transaction from proceeding.
The required documents must be determined for the actual vehicle and jurisdiction.
How Selling Your Crane Truck to EasyTruckBuyer Works
EasyTruckBuyer has been buying trucks since 2007 and considers submissions from private owners, owner-operators, businesses, and fleets across all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii.
The process begins with an evaluation, not an automatic offer.
1. Submit the Truck Information
Use the form on this page or request an offer.
Provide the truck’s identity, location, condition, and any available information about its crane equipment.
2. Individual Vehicle Evaluation
EasyTruckBuyer reviews the available vehicle information before determining whether a purchase offer may be appropriate.
For crane trucks, equipment configuration and mechanical condition can be particularly relevant.
3. Additional Verification When Needed
Some inquiries may require additional specifications, photographs, documents, or an inspection.
The need for further verification depends on the individual truck and information available.
4. Review an Offer if One Is Made
If an offer is possible, review the proposed terms and any outstanding conditions.
You can decide whether to proceed. Not every inquiry results in an offer, and submitting a truck does not obligate you to sell it.
5. Confirm Paperwork and Payment Arrangements
If the parties agree to move forward, the transaction involves confirming ownership, required documents, any outstanding financing issues, and payment arrangements.
The method and timing of payment are determined for the individual transaction rather than guaranteed in advance.
6. Coordinate Collection After an Accepted Purchase
When the purchase is accepted and the relevant transaction requirements are satisfied, transportation arrangements can be coordinated.
Free towing is included with accepted truck purchases.
The actual transportation plan must account for the crane truck’s dimensions, mobility, equipment configuration, and access conditions.
For additional details, see How Selling Your Truck Works.
How Is a Crane Truck Collected After a Sale?
Crane trucks can present transportation challenges that do not apply to conventional work trucks.
Some are capable of ordinary road travel in their approved transport configuration. Others may require specialized arrangements because of damage, size, weight, or mechanical condition.
Boom Position and Equipment Configuration
The crane’s existing travel position matters.
A folding articulating boom has a different transport profile from a longer telescopic boom. Depending on the machine, attachments, jibs, hooks, outriggers, or other equipment may require appropriate securement or preparation.
If equipment cannot be secured in its normal travel configuration because it is damaged or incomplete, explain that condition before transportation arrangements are made.
Do not attempt to modify, operate, dismantle, or secure unsafe lifting equipment without appropriately qualified assistance.
Weight, Dimensions, and Road Requirements
Relevant details can include overall height, width, length, axle configuration, weight, tire condition, and whether the vehicle is suitable for road travel.
Some vehicles or transport combinations may require special planning or oversize or overweight permits.
Requirements vary according to the applicable states and routes. The Federal Highway Administration’s permit guidance explains that states, rather than the federal government, issue oversize and overweight permits.
A truck’s ability to move under its own power does not automatically establish that it can legally or safely travel on a particular route.
Non-Running Trucks and Limited Site Access
If the truck does not run, describe whether it can roll, steer, and brake.
Mention missing wheels, damaged axles, locked or malfunctioning brakes, unstable ground, limited maneuvering room, overhead clearance, secured gates, or other access limitations.
A truck parked in an industrial yard may present different circumstances from one located inside a restricted construction site.
Accurate information helps identify the practical arrangements that would need to be discussed if a purchase proceeds.
Free Towing With an Accepted Purchase
EasyTruckBuyer provides free towing with accepted truck purchases.
This benefit applies to an agreed truck purchase, not to every inquiry or a separate crane recovery request.
Specialized rigging, dismantling, property access, and other preparations must not be assumed included without confirmation of the individual transaction arrangements.
No universal collection deadline or ability to access every property is promised.
Other Ways to Sell a Used Crane Truck
Different selling methods may suit different equipment and seller circumstances.
Private Sale or Specialist Marketplace
A specialist marketplace can help expose a crane truck to buyers searching for its exact model or lifting configuration.
You generally control the listing information and asking price, but you may need to handle buyer questions, inspections, negotiations, documentation, and transportation coordination.
An advertised asking price is not a completed sale price.
Truck or Crane Equipment Dealer
A commercial truck or crane-equipment dealer may be interested in selected configurations.
A trade-in may also be an option when replacing equipment, depending on the dealer’s policies.
Dealer interest, equipment requirements, and purchase terms vary.
Equipment Auction
An auction may be suitable for a business disposing of surplus equipment or multiple vehicles.
Auction rules, seller fees, reserves, inspection arrangements, and final bidding results vary by provider.
A sale price is not guaranteed.
Direct Inquiry to EasyTruckBuyer
You can submit a crane-equipped truck directly to EasyTruckBuyer for individual consideration.
If an offer is possible, you can review its terms and decide whether to proceed.
A direct inquiry does not guarantee a purchase or that the offer will exceed the result from another selling method.
Frequently Asked Questions About Selling Crane Trucks
Does EasyTruckBuyer consider both straight-boom and knuckle-boom crane trucks?
Yes. You can submit a complete truck equipped with a telescopic straight-boom crane or an articulating knuckle-boom crane for evaluation.
The crane’s configuration, condition, and installed equipment help identify the vehicle. Each inquiry is considered individually.
Can I sell a crane truck if the crane does not work?
You can submit it for evaluation.
Describe the known problem and whether the truck itself starts and drives. A failed crane control system, hydraulic problem, damaged outrigger, and structural boom defect are different conditions and should be described accurately.
Do not operate a crane with known safety-related defects merely to demonstrate it for a potential sale.
What if the crane works but the truck does not run?
You can still request an evaluation.
Explain the carrier truck’s mechanical problem, when the crane last operated, and whether the vehicle can be moved or accessed for transportation.
A previously working crane does not guarantee that the complete truck can be purchased.
Is a boom truck the same thing as a crane truck?
A telescopic boom truck is a common type of crane-equipped truck, but the broader crane-truck category includes other configurations.
For example, a knuckle-boom loader truck and a smaller service crane truck have different equipment arrangements from a conventional telescopic boom truck.
The precise configuration is more useful than the general label.
Does the crane’s advertised tonnage determine what the truck is worth?
No. Maximum rated lifting capacity is only one specification.
Load charts, working radius, boom reach, lifting configuration, chassis condition, crane condition, accessories, and operating history can all provide useful context.
Some loader cranes use lifting-moment ratings rather than a simple maximum lifted-weight description.
Do I need to know the crane serial number or operating hours?
You can begin an inquiry without those details.
However, the crane’s model and serial number may help identify its specifications, particularly when the crane and truck were manufactured in different years.
Crane operating hours, if available, should be recorded separately from truck mileage.
What if the crane was installed on a different chassis later?
Disclose the remounting history if known.
The crane and replacement chassis may have different identification numbers, ages, and maintenance records.
Available installation, engineering, or modification documentation may help clarify the equipment configuration. Do not assume that a previous installation establishes current suitability or safe operation.
Can I submit a crane truck without a current crane inspection report?
Yes. An initial inquiry can be made without claiming that every crane truck requires the same inspection document.
Disclose whether records are available, whether the equipment has been out of service, and any known deficiencies.
Applicable crane and vehicle inspection requirements depend on the equipment, operation, and governing regulations. A selling inquiry does not certify the crane as safe to operate.
What if the load chart, remote control, or crane accessories are missing?
Explain which items are missing.
Depending on the model, load charts, remotes, jibs, hook blocks, and other components may be relevant to the crane’s configuration and safe operation.
Their absence can affect the evaluation and may require additional verification. Do not substitute guessed specifications for missing manufacturer information.
Can I sell a crane truck with a repaired boom or damaged outriggers?
You can submit the vehicle, but provide an accurate account of known damage, repairs, and available supporting records.
The boom and stability systems contain components that can affect lifting safety.
Do not describe a structural repair as certified or fully restored unless that status is supported by appropriate documentation.
What if my crane truck has a lien or the crane is separately financed?
Disclose the title, lien, or financing situation before proceeding.
The person or business selling the equipment must have the necessary authority to transfer the vehicle and included components.
Additional documents, approvals, or resolution of secured interests may be necessary, depending on the transaction and applicable law.
Submitting the truck does not guarantee that a documentation issue can be resolved.
Can I submit several crane trucks from the same fleet?
Yes. Businesses and fleet sellers can submit multiple crane-equipped trucks for consideration.
It helps to identify each chassis and crane separately, especially if the vehicles have different configurations, operating conditions, ownership arrangements, or storage locations.
A fleet inquiry does not guarantee the purchase of every unit.
Does EasyTruckBuyer buy detached cranes without their trucks?
This page is intended for complete crane-equipped trucks.
A detached crane or standalone lifting machine is not within the confirmed scope of this truck-type page. Equipment-only purchase eligibility should not be assumed.
For questions about an unusual configuration, contact EasyTruckBuyer.
Is towing included if my crane truck is non-running?
Free towing is included with accepted truck purchases.
A non-running crane truck must first be evaluated and accepted for purchase. Its dimensions, condition, crane configuration, and accessibility determine what transportation planning may be necessary.
An inquiry alone does not qualify for free towing or establish a collection date.
Ready to Have Your Crane Truck Evaluated?
Whether you are selling a telescopic boom truck, knuckle-boom flatbed, mechanic crane truck, or another complete crane-equipped commercial vehicle, start by describing what you own.
Include the chassis information, crane model if known, current condition, and location. You can also disclose missing equipment, previous repairs, or difficulties with transportation.
EasyTruckBuyer has been buying trucks since 2007 and considers inquiries from private owners, owner-operators, businesses, and fleets throughout all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii.
We review each truck before determining whether an offer is possible. If an offer leads to an accepted purchase, the paperwork, payment arrangements, and free towing are addressed as part of the agreed transaction.
Have a question about the vehicle or its documentation? Contact EasyTruckBuyer before proceeding.