Rental rates by crane type
| Crane | Hour | Day | Week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carry deck crane Plant and warehouse floors, tight indoor work | $150–$300 | $800–$1,500 | $3,500–$6,000 |
| Rough-terrain crane Unpaved and muddy sites, new construction | $200–$500 | $1,200–$2,500 | $5,000–$10,000 |
| All-terrain crane Drives on roads, sets up on rough ground, bigger lifts | $300–$700 | $1,800–$3,500 | $7,500–$15,000 |
| Hydraulic truck crane Fast setup for HVAC, trusses, signs and machinery | $400–$900 | $2,000–$4,500 | $9,000–$18,000 |
| Crawler crane Long projects, very heavy lifts, assembled on site | $1,000–$3,000 | $5,000–$15,000 | $20,000–$60,000 |
Source: Beem crane rental pricing guide (June 2026).
Operator costs
The same guide puts certified crane operators at $45–$95 an hour. On an operated rental the company builds this into its rate. On a bare rental you supply your own certified operator, as required for construction work under OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1427.
What pushes the price up or down
- Radius, not just weight. A light load far from the truck can need a much bigger crane. Size it with the crane size calculator.
- Travel. Most companies charge travel time to and from the site, so a yard close to you is cheaper.
- Minimums. Short jobs are often billed to a minimum number of hours. Ask what it is.
- Counterweight and setup. Larger cranes need extra trucks to bring counterweight, which is billed separately.
- Rigging and crew. Spreader bars, a rigger or signal person, and engineered lift plans add cost.
- Permits and street use. Working from a public street may need a city right-of-way permit and traffic control.
- Weekends and short notice. Overtime and rush bookings cost more.
Three ways to keep the bill down
- Measure where the crane can actually park; a closer setup can drop a whole crane class.
- Have the site ready: access cleared, load rigged and crew waiting, so billed hours are lift hours.
- Get at least two quotes for the same scope and compare what is included.
Common questions
How much does it cost to rent a crane in Toledo?
National guides put bare rental (no operator) at roughly $800–$1,500 a day for a carry deck crane, $2,000–$4,500 a day for a hydraulic truck crane and $5,000–$15,000 a day for a crawler. Operated rentals add the operator, and most quotes add travel to and from the site. Use the crane cost calculator for your job, then compare real quotes.
Do I need an operator, or can I rent a crane bare?
Most one-day lifts are booked as operated rentals: the company supplies the crane and a certified operator. Bare rental only makes sense if you have your own operator. Under OSHA’s crane rule (29 CFR 1926.1427), operators on construction sites must be certified for the type of crane they run.
How far ahead should I book?
Small cranes and boom trucks are often available within days. Larger all-terrain and crawler cranes, and anything needing permits or a lift plan, need more notice. If your date is fixed, send the request as soon as you know the weight and location.