Truck Mounted Crane Limitations (and How Merlo Roto Telehandlers Outperform Them)

Let’s be honest. A truck mounted crane sounds like the perfect solution. It drives to site, sets up fast, and gets to work. But in the real world—where terrain is uneven, deadlines are tight, and materials need more than just vertical lift—that convenience quickly falls apart.

That’s where the Merlo Roto telehandler comes in. Contractors across BC, Alberta, and Saskatchewan are choosing Westpeak Equipment’s rotating telehandlers because they solve the problems truck mounted cranes can’t. With 360-degree continuous rotation, greater reach, and built-in versatility, Merlo Rotos are the adaptable, all-in-one solution for demanding jobsites.

The result? Less time repositioning equipment. Fewer machines to coordinate. And far fewer delays.

Contact Westpeak Equipment today and get the right equipment on-site—fast.

Truck Mounted Cranes Have Built-In Limits

A truck mounted crane offers one major advantage: mobility. Since it’s mounted on a truck chassis, it can drive on public roads and set up quickly. But beyond that, the list of limitations grows fast.

First, it’s a single-function machine. It lifts. That’s it. If you also need to transport materials across the site, hoist loose materials, or provide elevated worker access, you’ll need to rent additional equipment. And in a world where budgets are tight and space is limited, redundancy costs more than just money—it costs time.

Second, the lifting angle and reach of a truck mounted crane is limited. These machines excel at straight vertical lifts from a fixed point, but if the load needs to be placed laterally, in a confined area, or with multi-angle precision, constant repositioning becomes necessary. And that’s assuming you even have room to reposition.

Third, they’re operator-dependent. In many cases, you’ll need a certified crane operator, which adds another layer of scheduling, labour cost, and compliance complexity.

Westpeak Equipment’s Merlo Roto telehandlers eliminate those limitations. They do more, faster—with less equipment and fewer people.

Why Merlo Roto Telehandlers Are the Smarter Choice

The Merlo Roto 50.35 is not just a lift—it’s a full system. At a glance, it offers 111'6" of lift height, 360° continuous rotation, and 11,000 lbs of capacity. But what makes it powerful isn’t just the numbers—it’s the flexibility.

With a Roto telehandler, you can lift a pallet of forms, swing it 90 degrees into a hard-to-reach corner, and then switch out the forks for a hook or bucket—all without moving the base. It handles slope work, confined urban projects, and multi-task sites with a single piece of equipment.

Truck mounted cranes can’t do that. They have limited rotation, limited attachments, and they require more room to work effectively. The Roto's ability to perform multiple roles—crane, forklift, man lift—makes it an indispensable asset on jobs where time, space, and efficiency matter.

Learn more about our rotating telehandler rentals

Cost Isn’t Just in the Equipment—It’s in the Downtime

When comparing the cost of renting a truck mounted crane versus a Merlo Roto telehandler, it's easy to get misled by base rental rates. But experienced contractors know to look at total job cost—not just the line item.

A truck mounted crane often requires a certified operator, permits for public roads, and time to set up and break down. Each of those steps adds hours (and dollars) to your job. Worse, you might still need to rent additional machines to move materials across the site or access tight spots.

With a Merlo Roto telehandler from Westpeak, you avoid those stacked costs. Your crew can operate the machine after proper ticketing and training. It arrives pre-configured with the right attachments. And it gets to work the moment it hits the site.

The cost savings aren’t just theoretical—they’re measurable. We’ve had clients save thousands per week by switching from a truck mounted crane to a Merlo telehandler.

Get a customized quote from Westpeak Equipment

Local Support That Keeps You Working

Renting equipment is one thing. Keeping it running under pressure is another. At Westpeak Equipment, we don’t just drop off your telehandler and wish you luck. We deliver a full-service experience—from pre-rental planning to on-site demos and ongoing support.

Each Merlo Roto telehandler rental includes setup assistance, operator onboarding, and expert guidance on attachments and jobsite configuration. We work with you to ensure your team knows how to get the most from every rotation.

And if something goes wrong? We’re already on it. Our partnerships with Merlo Italy, Manulift Canada, and Hanks Welding & Repair ensure you’re backed by the best-trained technicians and fastest response times in Western Canada.

A truck mounted crane may be familiar. But a Roto telehandler from Westpeak delivers performance with a support system to match.

See why builders trust Westpeak

Q&A: Truck Mounted Crane vs. Merlo Roto Telehandler

Can a rotating telehandler really replace a truck mounted crane?

In most mid-rise and commercial construction cases, absolutely. Unless you're lifting extremely heavy loads vertically to extreme heights, the Merlo Roto offers more flexibility with similar lifting performance.

Is a Roto telehandler harder to operate?

Not at all. Most trained site crews can operate a Merlo Roto after basic certification. You won’t need a licensed crane operator unless required by your site’s policies.

What types of jobs is the Merlo Roto best for?

Jobs with high reach, tight access, multiple lift points, or where you’d otherwise need both a crane and forklift. It’s ideal for slope work, tower framing, modular construction, and material placement across large areas.

What regions does Westpeak Equipment serve?

We serve all of Western Canada—including BC, Alberta, and Saskatchewan—with full delivery, demo, and support.

Final Word

When you're juggling deadlines, budgets, and limited site access, a truck mounted crane can start to feel like a compromise. With a Merlo Roto telehandler from Westpeak Equipment, you're not just renting a machine—you're getting a smarter solution.

One that rotates. One that lifts. One that replaces two or three other machines. And one that comes backed by a local team who picks up the phone, shows up on site, and helps you get the job done—faster, safer, and with fewer headaches.

👉 Let’s get your project moving. Contact us now.