Crane hire in South Africa ranges from R4,000 per day for a 5-ton mobile crane to R50,000+ per day for heavy-lift cranes over 200 tons. A 25-ton mobile crane — the most commonly hired size for industrial work — costs R4,000 to R9,000 per day including a certified operator. Price depends on tonnage, hire duration, location, and site conditions.

A BrightRig quote includes: the crane matched to your job, a certified crane operator, mobilisation to your site (within the metro area), standard rigging slings and shackles, and a documented lift plan for complex jobs. The quote is fixed — no hidden extras.

Items that may cost extra: specialist rigging accessories for non-standard loads, road closure permits, extended travel outside metro areas, and standby time exceeding 30 minutes.

Rigging costs depend on load weight, site conditions, equipment required, and project duration. Simple machinery moves with a rigging crew and basic equipment start from around R5,000 per day. Complex multi-day projects involving heavy cranes and engineered lift plans are quoted on a project basis. View our pricing guide →

Crane size depends on three factors: load weight, lift height, and radius (horizontal distance from crane to load). A 5-ton crane handles rooftop HVAC units and signage. A 25-ton crane suits most industrial machinery. A 50-ton crane covers steel structures and heavy plant.

Not sure? Call us with the weight, dimensions, and height. We'll recommend the right crane within five minutes.

A mobile crane travels on wheels and can be deployed within hours — ideal for short-term lifts, industrial maintenance, and projects where the crane moves between positions. A tower crane is fixed in place, assembled on site, and suited to long-duration construction projects. Most industrial rigging and machine moving uses mobile cranes.

For standard bookings, we typically deploy within 24–48 hours of confirming a quote. Emergency crane hire is available — contact us for same-day availability. Larger cranes (80+ ton) may need 3–5 days for mobilisation.

A lift plan documents how a lift will be executed: load weight and centre of gravity, crane position, rigging configuration, sling angles, ground bearing capacity, exclusion zones, and emergency procedures. It's required under the OHS Act for all crane lifts in South Africa and serves as both a safety document and a compliance record. BrightRig prepares a lift plan as standard — it's included in every quote.

Yes. BrightRig handles inter-city machine moving across South Africa, including transport, rigging at both ends, and abnormal load permits for oversize loads. We coordinate the entire process: disconnection, loading, transport, offloading, and installation. More on machine moving →

If the crane operates on or obstructs a public road, you need a temporary road closure permit from the local municipality. BrightRig handles the application (typically 5–10 working days). For operations on private property, no municipal permit is required, but a lift plan must comply with the Driven Machinery Regulations and OHS Act.

Crane operators need a valid crane operator's certificate under the Driven Machinery Regulations (DMR). Riggers require a separate rigger's certificate under the same regulations. Both must comply with the OHS Act. On construction sites, the Construction Regulations (2014) add further requirements. All BrightRig operators and riggers are fully certified — documentation available for your safety file.

Yes. All BrightRig crane hire includes a qualified, certified crane operator. Our operators hold valid licences under the Driven Machinery Regulations and are experienced in industrial lifts, rigging, and heavy equipment handling. Operator-included hire is the industry standard for safety compliance in South Africa.

We operate across South Africa: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth, and Pretoria. We're one of the few rigging companies offering genuine national coverage. For projects in other locations, contact us to discuss mobilisation.