SQ1ZA3 Crane on a Blue Dropside Light Truck in Vietnam

A red knuckle boom crane folded behind the cab of a blue light truck with a new aluminium dropside body, parked in a body builder's workshop: photos from our customer in Vietnam show a BOB-LIFT SQ1ZA3 knuckle boom truck-mounted crane just after fitting.

At a glance: SQ1ZA3 1 t knuckle boom truck-mounted crane · Vietnam · blue light truck with dropside body · 4 customer photos.

What the photos show

• The truck. A blue light-duty cab truck stands on a concrete workshop floor.
• The crane. The red crane is mounted between the cab and the body, with the boom folded upright so it stays within the height of the cab.
• The outriggers. A red outrigger leg stands next to the crane column, just behind the cab door.
• The body. A grey aluminium dropside body with hinged side and rear boards sits behind the crane. Tail lights are fitted under the rear board.
• The workshop. Other trucks, cranes and tipper bodies stand in the same hall.

These are the customer's own photos. No load weights or comments came with them.

About the SQ1ZA3

The SQ1ZA3 is an earlier 1 t knuckle boom truck-mounted crane. It is no longer in the current range, and the technical department has no current drawing for it, so this record does not quote load figures for it. For a new crane of this size, see the 1 t knuckle boom truck-mounted crane page, where each current model has its own dimension and load chart drawings.

Lifting moment is the load times its distance from the slewing centre. That is why the rated load drops as the boom reaches out. For example, a load the crane lifts easily close to the column can be too heavy once the extension is pushed out. Outrigger span is the distance between the outrigger feet. A wider span keeps the truck steadier when the crane slews to the side. For general crane safety rules, see the OSHA cranes and derricks standard.

Mounting the crane behind the cab keeps the whole dropside deck free for loads. A 3.2 t crane works on a dropside truck in our delivery record from Kuwait, and an SQ1ZA3 works on an emergency service truck in our record from Ukraine.

A 1 t crane on a light dropside truck

A light truck with a 1 t crane can deliver and unload on its own, with no forklift at the other end. Four points to plan for:

1. Check the axle loads. A crane behind the cab adds weight to the front axle. Weigh the finished truck and check both axles against their ratings.
2. Leave room to open the boards. Hinged dropsides need clearance from the crane column so they can open fully.
3. Set the outriggers every time. On a light truck, the outriggers carry the side loads when the crane slews. Put them down on firm ground before each lift.
4. Fold the boom for the road. Stow the boom and hook before driving, and check the folded height against bridges and garage doors.

Other sizes are in the knuckle boom truck-mounted crane range, and the mounting and shipping page explains how mounting is handled.

Checking a truck for a 1 t crane

Before you order a current 1 t crane, check three things on your truck. They decide whether the crane fits it.

• Payload. The crane, its subframe and the outriggers all come off the truck's payload. Plan the body and the loads you carry with what is left.
• Hydraulic power. The power take-off and pump on your truck must give the flow and pressure the crane needs.
• Outrigger room. Make sure the frame has room for the outriggers, and that your job sites do too.

If you run an SQ1ZA3 today, a photo of its nameplate helps us. Send the make, model and wheelbase of your truck through the contact page, and our team will check the fit.

Record compiled by Achord Chan, Product Operations Director at BOB-LIFT, from the customer's photos.