What Is a Truck-Mounted Crane Installation?

A truck-mounted crane — sometimes called a service crane or knuckle boom crane — is a hydraulic lifting system permanently installed on a work truck or service body. For contractors, utility companies, oilfield operators, and heavy equipment dealers across Texas, a properly installed crane body transforms a regular pickup or cab-chassis into a capable job-site workhorse.

Tiger Cranes are one of the most popular truck-mounted crane brands we install at Star Truck Equipment in Wharton, TX — and for good reason. They’re built tough, backed by solid warranty support, and rated for the kind of day-in, day-out punishment Texas contractors demand.

How Tiger Crane Installation Works

Installing a Tiger Crane on your work truck isn’t a bolt-on weekend project. It requires precise engineering, proper mounting, and hydraulic integration with your truck’s power take-off (PTO) or an auxiliary hydraulic system. Here’s a general overview of the process:

• Chassis Assessment: We start by evaluating your truck’s cab-to-axle (CA) measurement, GVWR rating, and frame capacity. Common platforms include the Ford F-550, Ford F-600, Ram 5500, and medium-duty cab-chassis trucks. If you’re not sure whether your truck is rated for a crane, our team can help — call us at (979) 532-1486.
• Subframe and Mounting: A structural subframe is welded or bolted to the truck frame to distribute the crane’s load properly. Cutting corners here leads to frame damage and unsafe operation — don’t trust a shop that skips this step.
• Service Body or Crane Body Integration: Many Tiger Crane installations pair with an STI crane body, a CM service body, or a custom flatbed. The body is mounted alongside or behind the crane to maximize bed space while keeping the crane accessible.
• Hydraulic System Hook-Up: Tiger Cranes are hydraulically operated. We connect them to your truck’s hydraulic system, including PTO-driven pumps or standalone hydraulic power units (HPU), depending on your chassis.
• Outrigger and Stabilizer Setup: Larger capacity Tiger Cranes require outriggers — stabilizing legs that extend from the truck frame and plant on the ground during lifts. These are critical for safe operation and are installed per manufacturer spec.
• Final Inspection and Load Testing: Before your truck leaves our shop, we perform a full hydraulic check, load test, and safety inspection to confirm everything meets spec.

Tiger Crane Models Commonly Installed in Texas

Tiger offers a range of knuckle boom cranes in varying capacities. Here are the models we most commonly install for Texas customers:

• Tiger T-Series (Light Duty): Ideal for utility trucks, landscaping companies, and fence contractors. Typically 2,000–4,000 lb capacity at a workable radius. Compact enough for F-450 or F-550 platforms.
• Tiger Mid-Range Models: Perfect for construction crews, HVAC installers, and equipment dealers needing 5,000–8,000 lb lifts. Pairs well with a full-size service body.
• Tiger Heavy-Duty Models: Designed for oilfield, pipeline, and heavy contractor use. These cranes can handle 10,000+ lb loads and typically require a medium-duty or heavy-duty chassis like the Ram 5500, International HV, or Freightliner M2.

Not sure which Tiger Crane fits your operation? We’ll walk you through the options based on what you’re lifting, how far you’re reaching, and what truck you’re running. Compare Tiger Crane specs against the competition in our Tiger Crane vs. Hyde Crane comparison and our Tiger Crane vs. Stellar Crane guide.

Why Installation Location Matters

Texas buyers from Houston, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, and all the way out to the Permian Basin trust Star Truck Equipment because we don’t just sell equipment — we install it right. Our shop in Wharton, TX is centrally located between Houston and Victoria, making us a practical choice for customers across South and Central Texas.

We also serve Louisiana customers. If you’re in Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, or Lafayette and need a Tiger Crane installed on your work truck, we’ll work with you to get the job done.

Choosing a qualified upfitter matters. A bad installation can void your crane warranty, damage your truck frame, and — most importantly — create serious safety risks for your crew on the job site. Always verify that your upfitter is experienced with the specific crane brand and has completed similar installations.

What to Ask Before You Commit

Before committing to any crane installation, here are the key questions to ask your upfitter:

• What’s the crane’s rated capacity at full extension vs. close radius?
• Does my truck’s GVWR support this crane with a full service body?
• Will outriggers be included, and are they factory or aftermarket?
• What’s the warranty on the crane and the installation labor?
• Can the crane integrate with my existing hydraulic system, or do I need a standalone HPU?

At Star Truck Equipment, we answer all of these before we ever pick up a wrench. We want you driving away with a crane setup that works hard for years without surprises.

Ready to Install a Tiger Crane on Your Work Truck?

Whether you’re spec’ing out a new build or adding a crane to an existing service truck, we’re here to help. Star Truck Equipment carries Tiger Cranes and handles full installation at our Wharton, TX facility.

Call us at (979) 532-1486 or stop by 2507 County Rd 231, Wharton, TX 77488. You can also browse our crane bodies inventory and service bodies online to start building your spec.