Pick Up Truck with Crane: A Step-by-Step Guide

A pick up truck with a crane is a versatile vehicle that can handle a wide range of tasks, from heavy lifting to construction work.

These trucks are equipped with a hydraulic crane that can lift up to 10,000 pounds, making them ideal for tasks that require precision and control.

To operate a pick up truck with a crane safely and effectively, it's essential to follow the manufacturer's instructions and guidelines.

Start by inspecting the crane and its components regularly to ensure everything is in good working condition.

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To start building your pick up truck with crane, you'll need to create and mount a second receiver hitch on your truck. This secondary receiver hitch provided additional strength and stability.

I constructed mine from a few short pieces of square tubing, using pre-existing holes in both the bumper and the frame to determine its location. This allowed me to position the crane to the side of the truck so it didn't interfere with truck bed access.

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Mounting a second receiver hitch on your truck is a crucial step in setting up a truck crane. This secondary hitch provides additional strength and stability.

To determine the location of the secondary hitch, use pre-existing holes in both the bumper and the frame. This will help ensure a secure and stable installation.

You can construct the secondary hitch from short pieces of square tubing. This material provides the necessary strength and durability for the hitch.

Position the secondary hitch to the side of the truck to avoid interfering with truck bed access. This will also allow for easier loading and unloading of equipment.

To create the bottom portion of the truck crane, you'll need 2” square tubing and some round pipe. I used these materials to build the bottom part of the crane.

The bottom portion of the crane slides into the secondary receiver hitch. This is a crucial step in the assembly process.

A square opening is created in the bottom portion of the crane, which aligns perfectly with the main receiver. This ensures a secure fit.

When you insert the ball mount into the main receiver hitch, it slides through this square opening, securing the bottom portion of the crane. This makes the entire setup theft-resistant.

Securing the hitch pin with a lock adds an extra layer of security to the bottom portion of the crane. This is especially important if you plan to leave your truck unattended for extended periods.

The cost of a homemade truck crane can be a significant factor in the project's overall expense. Fortunately, I had all the metal on hand, which helped reduce costs.

A 1-ton chain hoist, which is a crucial component, can be purchased for around $45 at Harbor Freight.

The Stark aluminum truck rack is a great option for securing ladders, pipes, kayaks, lumber, and other objects on your truck.

It fits most full-size and compact trucks, making it a versatile choice.

The rack is made from high-strength aluminum that's both lightweight and corrosion-resistant.

No drilling is required for installation, which is a big plus.

The clamp-on installation mounts to the top of the truck bed, and the 4 ladder stops slide into the top of the cross members.

These triangular ladder stoppers can slide along the top bars to fit the width of any cargo.

The maximum load capacity is 1,000 lbs, evenly distributed.

This means you can carry a lot of weight, but be sure to follow the manufacturer's guidelines.

Installation is quick and easy with a clamp system, so you can get back on the road in no time.

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A pickup truck with a crane is a game-changer for anyone who needs to lift heavy loads on the go. The crane is attached to the bed of the truck or the rear part of the truck, allowing for maximum flexibility.

The crane's rotation platform provides a full 360-degree rotation, enabling operators to place and move loads precisely. This is made possible by a hydraulic engine or an electric motor with a hydraulic motor, which guarantees a constant and smooth rotation.

The boom design is another crucial component of a pickup truck crane. It's finished with heavy-duty yet lightweight materials like aluminum or steel.

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The hydraulic system is the backbone of a pickup truck crane, consisting of a hydraulic pump, hydraulic hoses, a valve controller, and a ram cylinder. This system is based on applied hydraulics, which generates power through fluid transmission.

The hydraulic pump is activated when the operator pulls the control valve, pressurizing the hydraulic fluid that reaches the ram cylinder through the hydraulic hoses. The piston gets compressed due to the crank's movement, making the cylinder increase and deliver the required power to lift the crane's boom or arm.

The crane's lifting capacity depends on several factors, including the design of the crane, boom length, and hydraulic system capabilities. In heavy-duty applications, high-capacity cranes can lift loads weighing several tons.

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To create the top part of the crane, you'll need to assemble 1” and 2” square tubing. I made the top part of the crane from some 1” and 2” square tubing.

The top part of the crane is assembled using a chain hoist to lift logs in the air. Once assembled, I use a chain hoist to lift logs in the air.

The materials used for the top part of the crane are readily available at most hardware stores. I made the top part of the crane from some 1” and 2” square tubing.

The hydraulic system is the backbone of a pickup truck crane, and it's essential to understand how it works. It's built with a hydraulic pump, hydraulic hoses, a valve controller, and a ram cylinder.

The hydraulic pump is activated by the operator's pull of the control valve, which pressurizes the hydraulic fluid. The fluid then flows through the hydraulic hoses to the ram cylinder.

The piston in the ram cylinder gets compressed due to the movement of the crank, causing the cylinder to increase in size. This delivers the required power to lift the crane's boom or arm.

The hydraulic system's capabilities play a crucial role in determining the crane's lifting capacity. The design of the crane, boom length, and hydraulic system capabilities all factor into this.

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Crane rotation is a crucial aspect of crane system and operation.

Most pickup truck cranes are attached to the bed of the pickup truck or the rear part of the truck.

By using rotating platforms, users can achieve maximum flexibility with their crane.

These platforms allow for full 360-degree rotation, enabling operators to place and move loads precisely.

The rotation is guaranteed to be constant and smooth, thanks to the use of a hydraulic engine or an electric motor with a hydraulic motor.

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