A spider crane is a compact tracked crane that folds down small enough to drive through a doorway, then stands on four outrigger legs to lift several tonnes. It goes where a truck-mounted mobile crane can’t: inside buildings, onto upper floors and into tight sites with no room to set up.
MCM Group now offers seven spider cranes, from the 3-ton SC30 to the 16-ton SC160. This guide explains how they work, where they earn their keep, and how to choose the right size.
What is a spider crane?
A spider crane is a small crawler crane with a telescopic boom and four fold-out legs. The legs are the reason for the name: once spread, they give the crane a wide, stable footprint from a very narrow machine.
First, the operator drives the crane into position on its tracks. Next, the outriggers swing out and lift the machine level, even on uneven ground. Finally, the boom extends and rotates a full 360 degrees to place the load. Most models also offer remote control, so the operator can stand beside the load for precise placement.
Where a spider crane beats a mobile crane
A mobile crane needs road access, space to set up and ground that can take its weight. A spider crane needs far less of all three. That makes it the natural choice for:
- Glass and curtain-wall installation: placing heavy panels on shopfronts, atriums and facades.
- Steel erection: lifting beams and trusses inside a building shell.
- Machinery and plant installation: moving equipment into factories, plant rooms and basements.
- HVAC and rooftop work: lifting units onto roofs and upper floors.
- Indoor and heritage projects: shopping centres, hospitals and older buildings where floors and access are limited.
- Substations and industrial maintenance: tight, sensitive sites where a large crane can’t fit.
The smaller models also run on rubber tracks, which protect finished floors. In addition, the SC30 and SC40 run on mains electric power as well as diesel, so they can work indoors without exhaust fumes.
The MCM spider crane range
| Model | Max lift | Max lift height | Max working radius | Width | Machine weight | Price (excl. VAT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCM SC30 | 3 t | 10.8 m | 10 m | 800 mm | 2.7 t | On request |
| MCM SC40 | 4 t | 15 m | 13 m | 1,000 mm | 3 t | R695,000 |
| MCM SC50 | 5 t | 17 m | 15 m | 1,500 mm | 6.7 t | R745,000 |
| MCM SC80 | 8 t | 21 m | 18 m | 1,600 mm | 8.7 t | R955,000 |
| MCM SC100 | 10 t | 21 m | 18 m | 1,800 mm | 10.5 t | On request |
| MCM SC120 | 12 t | 21 m | 19 m | 1,860 mm | 12.5 t | R1,275,000 |
| MCM SC160 | 16 t | 25 m | 23 m | 2,000 mm | 16.5 t | R1,399,000 |
The SC30 is the newest and smallest. At 800 mm wide and 2.7 t, it fits through narrow passages and works on suspended floors. It also runs on diesel or 380 V electric power.
Which size do you need?
Start with the heaviest load you’ll lift, and how far from the crane it will be. A spider crane’s capacity drops as the boom extends, so a 5-ton crane lifts far less than 5 tons at full reach. Always check the load chart for your radius, not just the headline figure.
Then check three more things:
- Access: measure the narrowest door, gate or passage on the route. The SC30 is 800 mm wide; the SC160 is 2,000 mm.
- Height: check the height you need to reach, from 10.8 m (SC30) to 25 m (SC160).
- Floor and ground: the crane’s weight plus the load sits on the outrigger pads, so suspended floors need checking by an engineer.
As a rule of thumb:
- Indoor lifts, upper floors and light loads: SC30 or SC40.
- Glass, steel and plant on mid-rise buildings: SC50 or SC80.
- Heavy steel and machinery: SC100, SC120 or SC160, which run on steel tracks.
Safety and compliance
In South Africa, lifting machines fall under the Driven Machinery Regulations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. That means regular inspection and load testing by a registered Lifting Machine Inspector, plus trained operators. Check the current requirements with your safety officer before the crane goes to work.
Every MCM spider crane comes with an operator handover. We can also advise on optional extras such as remote control and a torque (load-moment) controller.
Delivery, support and finance
MCM Group delivers spider cranes nationwide from our branches in Cape Town, George, Gauteng and Bloemfontein. Each delivery includes commissioning and an operator handover. Parts and after-sales service are available from all four branches.
Finance is available through South Africa’s major banks and asset-finance houses. Read our first-time buyer’s guide to equipment finance to see how it works.
Get a quote
Browse the full spider crane range, or contact MCM Group for a quote and a load-chart check for your job.
