Digger Derricks For Sale

About Digger Derricks

Digger derricks typically fall into one of two categories: track and truck-mounted. Both types can be used for multiple purposes, including drilling holes for poles, lifting and setting poles, setting screw anchors, and lifting and moving heavy jobsite materials. The cranes on digger derricks tend to feature a boom-style design which folds and unfolds to increase the machine’s horizontal or vertical reach. Sometimes these machines feature telescopic crane designs that can extend and retract as needed. Common features include one or more winches, outriggers for added stability, pole claws, and one or more augers. Some models are equipped with buckets to lift repair crew so they can perform line work and other overhead maintenance functions.

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Elliott D86 Truck-Mounted Digger Derrick

Track Digger Derricks

Track-mounted digger derricks are self-contained units outfitted with a pair of tracks or crawlers for moving the crane around a jobsite. Tracks have a larger contact surface area than wheels, which better distributes the machine’s weight while providing improved traction for work on rough, uneven, or soft terrain. Smaller track diggers can also be used in compact work areas, such as backyards or utility easements. Track-mounted digger derricks are often loaded onto trailers for transport to and from worksites.

Truck-Mounted Digger Derricks

Truck-mounted digger derricks come in a wide range of vehicle sizes, though the trucks are often equipped with either two or three axles. These machines prominently feature a boom-mounted auger on a rotating turret, and many models include outriggers for added stability when drilling or when working with large, heavy payloads.

The best digger derrick for the job at hand is often determined by the machine’s sheave height and capacity. Utility contractors whose primary work includes installing transmission lines and high-voltage maintenance might invest in truck-mounted digger derricks built with a sheave height of 65 feet (19.8 meters) or more and a lift capacity of 20,000 pounds (9,072 kilograms) or more. By comparison, contractors who work with telecommunications and distribution lines could opt for truck-mounted digger with sheave heights around 50 ft (15.2 m) and a lift capacity around 15,000 lbs (6,804 kg) to perform the repair and maintenance of standard utility poles.

Find Your Next Digger Derrick

You’ll find a wide variety of digger derrick cranes for sale on CraneTrader.com, including units built by Altec, Telelect, Terex, and others.