Understanding Lifting Capacity, Radius, and Boom Reach in Heavy Lifting Service
1. What Is Lifting Capacity?
Lifting capacity is the amount of weight that a crane or a lifting machine can carry safely during a heavy lifting operation.
However, here is the part that is commonly misunderstood by many people:
A 50-ton crane does NOT operate at 50 tons all the time.
The maximum lifting capacity of a crane is always determined by:
- Boom length
- Lift angle
- Distance from the center of the crane
- Ground condition
That is why in any professional heavy lifting service, the lifting capacity is figured out from the working conditions and not only from the size of the crane or its tonnage.
Example:
A 50T mobile crane may carry a load of:
- 50 tons at 3 meters
- 15 tons at 20 meters
- 5 tons at 35 meters
Thus, the planning is always done on the basis of the Operating Radius rather than the crane label.
2. What Is the Lifting Radius?
The lifting radius is the horizontal distance from the crane to the load.
It is the single most important factor that determines the effectiveness of a heavy lifting operation.
With a longer radius, the lifting capacity goes down because the crane requires additional stability and counterweight. A change in radius by even a tiny amount can have a huge impact on the safe lifting limits.
Example:
By increasing the radius from 10m to 12m, the same crane may only be able to carry HALF the load that it was able to previously.
That is the reason why heavy lifting professionals measure:
- Distance from setup point
- Obstacles or surrounding structures
- Turning angle
- Ground access
3. What Is Boom Reach?
Boom reach is the furthest point a crane can extend either vertically or horizontally.
Longer boom reach is typically used in heavy lifting operations when lifting:
- Over buildings
- Into tight spaces
- Across long distances
- At height (rooftops, mezzanines)
However, the main point is:
By just a longer boom you can get more reach — but your lifting capacity will go down.
Therefore, the right boom setup is not only necessary for completing the job but also for ensuring the safety of the lifting operation.
How These Factors Work Together in Heavy Lifting Service
A safe lift is never just about pure strength. It’s about balance and planning.
If any one is wrong, the lifting becomes unsafe.
That’s why a professional heavy lifting service always includes calculations on load, angles, and radius before the lift.
Why These Factors Matter in Real Projects
If heavy lifting service or a mobile crane rental is needed in Singapore, these factors decide:
✔ The crane that you will have to use
✔ The method by which the lift will be carried out
✔ The location from which the crane will be operated
✔ The safety precautions that have to be taken
It stops from:
- Breaking of the machinery
- Injuries to people
- Delays and periods without work
- A double of expenses
Common Lifting Mistakes to Avoid
Several inexperienced teams incorrectly assume that:
- A load can be lifted by any crane without considering the type of crane
- If a crane is bigger, then it must be safer
- The radius is not important
- The boom length only determines the height
What reality is:
It can happen that a powerful crane is incapable of doing the job if proper calculation is not made.
How Professionals Perform Heavy Lifting Service
A proper lifting plan includes:
Load measurement
Ground condition evaluation
Correct crane configuration
Outrigger positioning
Weather checks
Path planning
This ensures a controlled, safe, and precise lift.
Need Help With Crane Rental or Heavy Lifting Service?
If you’re planning machinery moving, industrial relocation, or require mobile crane rental services in Singapore, our team can help you plan and execute the lift safely.
Contact Jaberson Technology, email or call us to get more information.
📧 Email: info@jaberson-technology.com
📞 Call : +65 6734 3992