Used All Terrain Crane Buying Guide: What to Check Before You Buy

This guide walks you through every step. By the end, you will know what to look at, what to walk away from, and how to pay for it.

What Is an All Terrain Crane?

An all terrain crane is a mobile crane built on a wheeled carrier, usually with 4 to 9 axles. It can drive on highways at normal speed, then move across rough job sites without needing a separate trailer. Most models use two engines. One powers the carrier. The other powers the crane itself.

This sets an all terrain crane apart from two other common machines. A rough terrain crane only works off-road and has to be hauled to the site on a trailer. A truck crane mounts a boom on a standard truck chassis and cannot handle rough ground as well. An all terrain mobile crane gives you both jobs in one machine: road travel and off-road lifting.

Capacity ranges are wide. Smaller all terrain cranes start around 35 tons. The largest models lift past 400 tons. Grove’s all terrain crane lineup (opens in a new tab) is a good place to see how capacity, boom length, and tip height change from model to model, since it lists real specs side by side across its full range.

Why Buy Used?

A new all terrain crane can cost well over a million dollars once you get into mid-size and larger models. Used equipment of the same size and capability can cost 40 to 60 percent less.

Used does not mean worn out. Many cranes on the market were fleet-owned and well taken care of. Owners trade out these machines on a schedule because the fleet is upgrading, not because anything is wrong. Others come from borrowers who surrendered the equipment to a lender, with clear ownership documentation and verifiable histories.

The real risk in buying used is buying without knowing what you are getting. That is what this guide fixes.

Step 1: Know What Size You Need

Buy the wrong size and you either strain the machine on every lift or pay for capacity you never use.

• Compact (35 to 80 tons): 2 to 3 axles. Best for tight urban sites, HVAC work, and small precast lifts.
• Mid-Range (90 to 150 tons): 4 to 5 axles. Best for general commercial construction and steel erection.
• Heavy (180 to 300 tons): 5 to 6 axles. Best for industrial plants, wind projects, and bridge work.
• Super-Heavy (350 tons and up): 7 to 9 axles. Best for refineries, power plants, and major infrastructure.

Match the machine to the lifts you run regularly, not the heaviest lift you might need once a year.

Step 2: Set Your Full Budget

The equipment purchase price is only part of the cost. Think through these before you commit:

• Purchase price: what you pay upfront or finance
• Transport: flat-bed or permit-based hauling for larger models
• Permits and licensing: oversize load permits and state registration
• Insurance: required if you are financing, higher for larger capacity machines
• Maintenance reserve: set aside funds for wear items like tires, wire rope, and hydraulic seals
• Operator training: certification costs if you are hiring new operators

Being road legal does not always mean travel ready. Larger models often need a boom dolly or a removable counterweight to meet state axle weight limits, even on machines built to drive themselves. Cranes Today’s breakdown of US crane transport rules (opens in a new tab) explains how this works and what it can add to your transport budget.

Beyond the purchase price, plan for what it costs to keep the machine working. Fuel, maintenance, and downtime all add up over time. A total cost of ownership calculator (opens in a new tab) can help you put real numbers to those costs before you commit.

A used all terrain crane typically runs $80,000 to over $1,500,000 depending on capacity, age, and hours. If the price looks too good, it usually is.

Step 3: Inspect the Machine

Never buy a used all terrain crane without a hands-on inspection. If you cannot be there yourself, hire a qualified third-party inspector.

Check these six systems in order:

• Carrier and crane engines: starts clean, no excess smoke, service records for both engines
• Hydraulic system: no leaks at cylinders, hoses, or fittings, smooth boom movement
• Boom sections: no bent panels, no bellying, wear pads intact, extends and retracts evenly
• Outriggers and counterweights: extend and lock fully, no worn pins, cylinders hold under load
• Wire rope and rigging hardware: no kinks, broken strands, or corrosion, hook and block move freely
• Load moment indicator: powers on, displays correct configuration, alarms function

For a full breakdown of what to check on each system, see our all terrain crane inspection guide.

Step 4: Get the Machine’s History

The inspection tells you the machine’s current condition. The history tells you how it got there. Ask for:

• Service records: oil changes, hydraulic fluid changes, and wire rope replacement on schedule
• Telematics data: hour tracking and fault codes built into many newer cranes, much harder to fake than a manual meter
• Annual inspection report: OSHA and ANSI call for a documented annual inspection, ask to see the most recent one
• Ownership documentation: for heavy equipment, this is typically a bill of sale rather than a title. Make sure the bill of sale is in the seller’s name and that there are no outstanding liens on the machine.

Step 5: Know Your Source

Where a machine comes from matters.

Private seller

Prices can be attractive, but there is no vetting or inspection guarantee. You also have no recourse if the machine has problems. You are relying entirely on the seller’s word.

Dealer

Usually includes some level of inspection and warranty options. More protection than buying private, though prices tend to be higher.

Auction

Can produce great deals, but you are at the mercy of what happens to be available that day. Inspection time before bidding is limited, and buyer premiums can add 5 to 15 percent on top of the hammer price. Know your all-in number before you raise your hand.

Online marketplace

A marketplace that connects buyers with multiple sellers gives you more options in one place. The best ones vet listings and give you a clear picture of each machine before you contact a seller. This is where PayDirt fits. Browse our current all terrain crane inventory.

Step 6: Plan Your Financing

Most buyers finance a used all terrain crane. Financing keeps working capital free for jobs, payroll, and operations.

• Down payment: typically 10 to 20 percent of the purchase price
• Loan term: most equipment loans run 24 to 84 months depending on machine age, value, and lender
• Interest rate: varies by credit score, down payment, and machine age. Machines with clear ownership documentation and no outstanding liens typically qualify for better rates
• Total cost: always compare the total cost, not just the monthly payment

PayDirt works with Equify Financial, so equipment financing options are available (coming soon) when you are ready to buy. Ask about current terms when you find a machine that fits.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Skipping the load test. Every used crane needs one, in person or by a qualified third party.
• Ignoring two-engine service history. All terrain cranes run a carrier engine and a crane engine. A seller who only shows records for one is only telling you half the story.
• Not verifying ownership. Heavy equipment typically transfers via bill of sale, not a formal title. Always confirm the seller has the right to sell and that no lender holds an outstanding lien. If a lien exists and goes undisclosed, the lienholder can come after the equipment even after you have paid for it.
• Buying a machine you cannot get parts for. Check parts availability before you buy, especially on older or less common models.
• Buying more capacity than you need. A bigger crane costs more to transport, insure, and maintain. Size to your typical job, not your biggest job.
• Forgetting permit and escort costs. Larger models often need oversize load permits and escort vehicles even though the crane drives itself. Budget for both before you buy.