Buyer’s Guide
Ute Cranes & Loaders: The Complete Buyer’s Guide
A ute crane (or tailgate loader) takes the back-breaking work out of loading heavy gear into your tray. Here’s how to choose the right one — capacity, reach, mounting, and the trade-off between electric, hydraulic and lift-gate options.
Updated 13 June 2026 · By Duratray Transport Equipment
Crane vs loader — which do you need?
| Type | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Electric ute crane (e.g. SpitzLift) | Light/mid loads (100–300 kg), occasional use | Lower capacity; runs off 12V |
| Hydraulic ute crane (e.g. Maxilift) | Heavy loads (500 kg+), daily use | Cost + chassis prep |
| Tailgate loader (e.g. Tommy Gate) | Pallets, wheeled gear, even loads | Loading platform only — no overhead reach |
| Lift hoist (e.g. Lyco, Lindsell) | Specialised lift work | Application-specific |
Sizing the crane: capacity AND reach
The two numbers that matter:
- Lift capacity — the safe working load right at the boom base. Always size to your real lift, not the maximum on the brochure.
- Reach — capacity drops as the boom extends. A crane rated 500 kg at the base might be 250 kg at full reach.
Tell us the heaviest item you’ll lift and the longest reach you need — we’ll spec a crane that handles both safely.
Where the crane mounts
Most ute cranes mount at the headboard corner of the tray (out of the way of loading) or in a dedicated cradle. The mount has to transfer the load into the tray and chassis — done wrong it’ll tear out the floor. We design every crane install to the right structure.
What it costs
A small electric crane is the most affordable starting point; hydraulic Maxilift units run higher, and lift gates depend on capacity and ute. Send your application — load weight, ute model and how often you’ll use it — and we’ll quote the right setup.
Frequently asked questions
How much weight can a ute crane lift?
Electric or hydraulic ute crane?
What’s a Tommy Gate?
Can I fit a crane to any ute?
Do I need an engineer certificate for a ute crane?
How much does a ute crane cost?
Do you fit ute cranes in Brisbane?
Explore the range
Ready for a tailored quote?
Tell us your vehicle and what you need — we’ll do the rest.