• Truck cranes come in various sizes for different applications.truck crane image by iChip from Fotolia.com
  
  Truck cranes attach to the back of a truck and allow that vehicle to pull objects with the crane. One common kind of truck that uses the crane is the tow truck, designed to pull vehicles and other objects, especially after an accident. These cranes come with various features such as telescoping and 360-degree rotation. The specifications of the crane vary from product to product.
  
  

Telescoping

• Many of the truck cranes have telescoping features so that the cranes can have greater range while still remaining compact when necessary. A telescoping feature is the ability of the crane to extend and retract. The telescope has high-strength four-plate construction with embossed side plate holes, making this crane durable and lightweight. The boom head has five or six load sheaves and another two idle sheaves. Owners can remove the auxiliary boom head. This device telescopes when pressing a single pedal control.
  
  

Weight Capacity

• Truck cranes have different lifting capacities that indicate the kinds of jobs that the trucks will be able to do. The M-15R telescoping crane can lift 1,500 lbs. When pulling heavy objects, drivers must make sure that they put the truck in the right gear.
  
  

Rotation

• The truck operator can usually adjust the height of the truck crane so that the crane can lift different-sized objects. The crane also usually has a 360 degree rotation. Cranes have mounting bases that are generally 12 inches by 12 inches. Many of these cranes get their power from hydraulic fluids, which are non-compressible liquids that provide a friction-less way to transfer energy.
  
  

Power

• The hoist that lifts the truck crane up and down is powered by 12 volts of direct current, with electricity delivered by the car battery. The car battery charges via the electricity that comes from the internal combustion engine that powers the truck. The crane comes pre-wired from the factory, with wiring in the form of 25-inch six gauge wires.
  
  

Coating

• Cranes are coated with materials designed to help them resist corrosion and various elements. The crane might come in a default color such as gray, but the owner can usually paint the crane a different color if desired.
  
  

Crane Rope

• Wire rope runs through the crane and lifts up the object transported by the crane. The rope is spin resistant so that the rope does not twist and get tangled. These ropes must resist the strain of very heavy objects.
  
  

Safety

• The truck crane has safety features such as the automatic movement limiter, the working area control device, the extension width detector, a swing lock, a winch drum lock and a jack pilot check valve.