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Choosing a crane isn’t just about how much weight it can lift. It’s also about where that weight needs to go and how your truck body supports the crane’s performance. Understanding key crane ratings, like pounds and foot-pounds, is the first step in making an informed decision—followed closely by selecting a crane body that can handle the job just as reliably. 

Crane Ratings: Pounds vs. Foot-Pounds

When evaluating a crane, you’ll typically encounter two types of ratings:

Pounds: The Basic Weight Capacity

The pound rating is the simplest and most straightforward way to measure a crane or body’s lifting capacity, but this rating applies only when the load is at the crane’s optimal lifting point – with the crane boom fully retracted and at a high lifting angle. So, it is not very useful in establishing your required crane lifting capacity.

Foot-Pounds: The Lifting Moment

The foot-pounds rating, on the other hand, is a more detailed measurement. This rating doesn’t just tell you the weight a crane can lift; it also considers how far the load is from the crane’s base. This is known as the “lifting moment”.  

The lifting moment is a combination of both the weight of the load and the distance it is from the crane’s base. A 2,000-pound load, 10 feet away from the crane base center, for example has a lifting moment of 20,000 foot-pounds (10 feet x 2,000 pounds). The further the load is from the crane’s base, the more effort it takes to lift, which is why foot-pounds are used to measure the true lifting capacity of the crane.

Why These Ratings Matter

When you’re selecting a crane or body for your truck, the foot-pounds rating gives you a clearer understanding of the crane’s capabilities across different lifting scenarios. See the appropriate crane lifting chart from the crane manufacturer of your choice for a detailed visual of weight, distances and boom angles that the selected crane can handle.  A crane with a higher foot-pounds rating can handle heavier loads at greater distances, meaning it’s better equipped for greater lift options. On the other hand, a lower foot-pounds rating might indicate a crane that’s suitable for lighter tasks or shorter reaches.  

Knowing both the weight capacity and the lifting moment is crucial for ensuring that your truck and crane setup are suited for the specific tasks you need to perform. Whether you’re lifting materials close to the crane or working at a distance, understanding these ratings will help you make an informed decision.  

Matching the Crane to the Right Body

Reading Truck offers a full line of crane bodies paired with cranes ranging from 11,500 to 78,000 foot-pounds of lifting moment. Each combination is designed to meet specific work requirements—whether you’re performing routine maintenance or heavy-duty field service.

Expert Engineering. Proven Performance.

Choosing the right crane for your needs isn’t just about the weight it can lift, but also about how far it can extend that lifting power. By understanding the difference between pounds and foot-pounds, you can select the right equipment for your projects, ensuring safety, efficiency, and success on every job.  

At Reading Truck, we combine decades of truck body innovation with crane expertise to ensure every component works in sync. From electric to hydraulic models, we offer versatile crane body packages that boost jobsite productivity, increase operator safety, and protect your long-term investment.

Ready to learn more? Explore our full RM Crane Body lineup and let our team help you find the best fit for your next job. Visit Reading Truck’s Crane Body Page.