A crane truck is one of the most useful and most expensive pieces of kit a construction or civil business can own. Prices swing widely, the configurations look similar from the road, and a mistake on capacity or condition is costly to fix. This guide covers the main types, what they cost, what to check before you buy, and how finance usually works.
A crane truck is a truck with a hydraulic crane mounted on it, used to load, lift and place materials on construction, civil and maintenance sites. Dealer asking prices on Asset Scanner, an Equifund related site, on 23 October 2026 ran from about $46,000 to $259,000 for used units and about $349,000 to $609,000 for new ones. Many buyers fund a crane truck through a chattel mortgage or lease, and Equifund arranges crane truck finance with pre-approval in place before they buy.
The basics
The Main Types of Crane Truck
Crane trucks are commonly grouped into these types. The names overlap, so always describe the exact configuration to a seller or a lender.
| Type | What it is | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| HIAB-style knuckleboom loader crane | A folding-arm (knuckleboom) crane mounted behind the cab; HIAB is a well-known brand of this crane type | Steel, precast and general lifting, and tight access or long-reach lifts |
| Hook-lift with crane | A hook-lift frame that swaps bins and bodies, with a crane on the chassis | Skip bins, materials and site clearing on one truck |
| Tray-top and tilt-tray | A flat or tilting deck with a crane for loading | Delivering steel and materials, or winching plant on and off |
| Dual-cab crane truck | A crew cab with a tray-mounted crane | Smaller civil and maintenance crews |
| Heavy-duty multi-axle (8x4) | A larger chassis that can carry a higher-capacity crane | Structural steel, precast panels and other large lifts |
Mobile cranes, pick-and-carry cranes and crawler cranes are different machines with their own finance considerations, covered on our crane finance page.
The numbers
How Much Does a Crane Truck Cost in Australia?
Crane trucks for sale in Australia vary widely in price with age, crane capacity and configuration. The table shows dealer asking prices listed on Asset Scanner, an Equifund related site, on 23 October 2026. It is a small sample of about 22 listings that name a crane in the title, so treat it as a guide, not a valuation. To compare crane trucks for sale, you can browse current listings on Asset Scanner.
| Group | Dealer asking price | Sample |
|---|---|---|
| Used crane trucks, all types | About $46,000 to $259,000, with the middle half between $108,000 and $170,000 | 18 listings |
| Used 4x4 crane trucks (2 of the 18 used listings) | About $111,000 to $115,000 | Indicative only |
| Used 8x4 crane trucks (2 of the 18 used listings) | About $226,000 to $259,000 | Indicative only |
| New crane trucks | About $349,000 to $609,000 | 4 listings |
The crane and the truck both drive the price, and so do kilometres, hours, service history and whether the crane has been recently inspected. Confirm the price, capacity and specification with the supplier before you rely on any figure.
Before you buy
What to Check Before You Buy a Crane Truck
A used crane truck can look sound and still hide an expensive problem. Work through this list before you commit.
- The crane's make, model and rated capacity. Check the load chart plate and that the capacity and reach suit the work you will actually do.
- Inspection and service history. Ask for records showing the crane has been inspected and maintained to the manufacturer's requirements, and see the Safe Work Australia guide to inspecting and maintaining cranes.
- Structure and hydraulics. Look for cracked welds, worn pins and bushes, leaking cylinders and hoses, and test every boom function and outrigger.
- A test lift. See the crane lift a known load through its range, performed by a licensed operator and ideally witnessed by an independent inspector.
- The truck underneath. Check the chassis rating, axle loads, kilometres, registration and roadworthiness, because the crane adds weight and stress.
- Ownership and finance. Run a Personal Property Securities Register search using the chassis VIN so you do not buy a truck that still has finance owing against it.
- The operator and insurance. Confirm who holds the right licences and that the truck and crane can be insured as configured.
Compliance
Do You Need a Licence to Operate a Crane Truck?
Operating a vehicle loading crane rated at 10 metre-tonnes or more generally needs a high risk work licence. Licence classes and conditions can differ between states and territories, so check your state regulator or see the information from Safe Work Australia. A licence is held by the operator, and the class needed depends on the crane and how it is used. Lenders do not set licensing, but holding the right licences and compliance records may help present a stronger application.
Finance
How Finance Works for a Crane Truck
Equifund arranges crane truck finance for established Australian businesses. The structure is usually a chattel mortgage, where you own the truck from settlement and the lender holds security over it, a finance lease, or an operating lease where you use the truck for a set term. Tax treatment depends on your business and the structure, so confirm your own tax position with your accountant.
Lenders look at your trading history, how steady your income is across the year, your credit record, any deposit, and the truck itself. A strong application usually has an active ABN and a proven trading record, recent BAS or six to twelve months of bank statements, a clean credit and tax position, and a quote or invoice for the truck. Equifund does not arrange start-up finance. Pre-approval is typically inside 24 hours once your documents are together, subject to lender assessment.
If you are buying second-hand, our pages on used equipment finance, private sale finance and auction truck finance explain how those purchases are funded, and our guide to auction, dealer and private sale compares the three routes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a HIAB and a knuckleboom crane truck?
HIAB is a crane brand, while knuckleboom describes the folding-arm design that most truck-mounted loader cranes use, so a HIAB crane is usually a knuckleboom crane. What matters when buying is the crane's rated capacity and reach, the hydraulic condition and the truck it is mounted on, not the label.
How much does a crane truck cost in Australia?
Dealer asking prices for crane trucks listed on Asset Scanner, an Equifund related site, on 23 October 2026 ran from about $46,000 to about $259,000 for used units, with the middle half of listings between about $108,000 and $170,000. New units in the same sample were listed from about $349,000 to about $609,000 (4 listings). These are asking prices from about 22 listings that name a crane in the title, not valuations, and they may have changed since.
Is a tilt-tray crane truck different from a tray-top crane truck?
A tilt-tray crane truck has a deck that tilts to ground level so equipment can be winched on, with a crane for lifting, while a tray-top has a fixed flat deck. Tilt-tray combinations are used where plant needs to be loaded and carried, and lenders usually want the exact configuration stated on the quote.
Can I finance a used crane truck bought privately or at auction?
Equifund can arrange finance for used crane trucks bought privately or at auction, subject to lender criteria on the truck's age and condition. An auction sale is unconditional, so pre-approval needs to be in place before you bid. See our pages on auction truck finance and private sale finance.
Do I need a licence to operate a crane truck?
Operating a vehicle loading crane rated at 10 metre-tonnes or more generally needs a high risk work licence, and licence classes and conditions can differ between states and territories. A licence is held by the operator, and the class needed depends on the crane and how it is used, so check your state regulator, or see the information from Safe Work Australia.
Do I need a deposit to finance a crane truck?
A deposit is not always required to finance a crane truck. $0 deposit is available for prime applications, which generally means established operators with active contracts and a strong credit history, while other applications may need a contribution depending on the lender, the truck and its age.
Who can get crane truck finance?
Equifund arranges crane truck finance for established Australian businesses with a trading record and a strong credit profile, and does not arrange start-up finance. A strong application usually has an active ABN, recent BAS or six to twelve months of bank statements, a clean credit and tax position, and a quote or invoice for the truck.
Check your eligibility before you shop so you know where you stand. The eligibility check has no impact on your credit score.
Check your eligibilitySources: Safe Work Australia on vehicle loading cranes · Safe Work Australia guide to inspecting and maintaining cranes · Personal Property Securities Register · Asset Scanner dealer listings, 23 October 2026 (Asset Scanner is an Equifund related site). Prices are dealer asking prices from a small sample and may have changed. Figures are illustrative and not valuations.
Disclaimer: This article is general information only and does not constitute financial, tax or legal advice. It does not take into account your personal circumstances, objectives or needs. Equifund Financial Group is a commercial finance broker, not a registered tax agent or licensed financial adviser. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and current ATO rules. Confirm with your accountant before relying on any tax position. All finance is subject to lender credit assessment, terms and conditions. Rates, lead times and product availability are indicative and current at time of writing, and may change. Price figures are dealer asking prices from a small sample on the date shown.