Choosing the right Farana crane tonnage is the most important decision you will make as a buyer. Pick too small and the crane cannot lift your loads safely. Pick too big and you pay lakhs extra upfront — plus higher fuel, maintenance and transport costs for years. Here is a practical guide to the three best-selling capacities: 9 ton, 12 ton and 15 ton.
Quick Comparison: 9T vs 12T vs 15T
- 9 Ton — Best for: brick kilns, small fabrication shops, pipe and pole loading, light material shifting. Lowest purchase price (₹9–13 lakh new) and cheapest to run. Limited reach and lifting height.
- 12 Ton — Best for: general construction sites, warehouse loading, precast work, marble and stone handling. The most versatile all-rounder (₹12–17 lakh new) and the best resale value in the used market.
- 15 Ton — Best for: heavy structural work, transformer and machinery installation, steel yards, industrial plants. Handles bigger lifts with a safety margin (₹15–21 lakh new).
The 75% Rule of Crane Sizing
Crane experts recommend the 75% rule: your heaviest regular load should not exceed 75% of the crane’s rated capacity. Why? Because rated capacity is measured at minimum boom radius — real lifts at longer reach or height derate the crane significantly. If your heaviest load is 9 tons, a 12-ton crane (75% = 9 tons) is the correct minimum choice, not a 9-ton crane.
Match the Crane to Your Work
Site conditions matter as much as load weight. A pick-n-carry crane like the Farana excels on flat, compacted ground where it can travel with a load. For muddy, uneven or long-distance travel between lifts, you may need support equipment regardless of tonnage. Also consider: How high must you lift? How far must the boom reach? What is the heaviest single piece — a transformer, a precast beam, a bundle of steel?
Running Costs Rise With Tonnage
Every ton of extra capacity costs you beyond the purchase price. Bigger cranes burn more diesel per hour, need heavier (costlier) tyres, attract higher insurance premiums and may need special permits for road movement. For a crane that works 6–8 hours daily, the lifetime running-cost gap between a 9T and a 15T machine can exceed ₹10 lakh. Buy the capacity you need — not the capacity you might need “someday”.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can a 12-ton crane lift 12 tons?
Only at minimum boom radius under ideal conditions. In real site work, plan on safely lifting around 8–9 tons with a 12T crane — hence the 75% rule.
Which tonnage has the best resale value?
The 12-ton segment has the deepest used market in India, so 12T cranes typically resell fastest and hold value best.
Is a bigger crane always safer?
A correctly sized crane operated within its load chart is safest. An oversized crane tempts operators into risky lifts beyond the chart’s safe zone.