Have a question about Broderson Cranes?
Email us today at, [email protected]
Need sales, service or support for Broderson Cranes?
Have a question about Broderson Cranes?
Email us today at, [email protected]
Need sales, service or support for Broderson Cranes?
Canadian jobsites move fast, and ground conditions are not always perfect. Broderson rough terrain cranes are built for outdoor lifting where you need strong capacity, steady control, and confidence on uneven surfaces. They are a great fit for construction, steel work, and industrial sites where access is tight and lifts need to stay safe and repeatable.
Cropac supports Broderson rough terrain cranes across Canada with sales, rentals, parts, and service. Tell us what you are lifting, your pick radius, and your site conditions, and we will help you choose the right crane and the right setup for the job.
A rough terrain crane is a mobile crane made for outdoor jobsites where the ground is uneven or unfinished. It uses large tires, strong suspension, and a boom built for lifting in the field. Broderson rough terrain cranes are commonly used on construction and industrial sites where you need lifting power without bringing in a larger crane setup.
When the schedule is tight, crews cannot afford delays caused by slow setup or limited site access. A rough terrain crane helps you lift where the work is happening, even when the ground is not level and space is limited. That means fewer workarounds, less wasted movement, and a smoother lift plan for the day.
Broderson rough terrain cranes are used for repeat lifts like placing steel, lifting bundles, setting forms, handling precast, moving site gear, and supporting rigging work. They are often used on foundations, structural builds, plant projects, and outdoor jobs where the crane needs to travel around the work area and keep lifts controlled.
Broderson rough terrain cranes are popular because they are built for outdoor lifting on uneven ground.
Call 1-844-9-CROPAC to talk to a Broderson Rough Terrain specialist.
The Broderson RT-400 rough terrain crane is built for outdoor lifting where the ground is uneven and the schedule is tight. It gives crews steady control, strong lifting power, and smooth movement around the site. With four-wheel drive and rough terrain capability, the RT-400 can travel where a truck crane cannot, then set up and get to work without wasting time. It is a solid choice when you need reliable lifts in changing jobsite conditions. This helps you keep work moving when conditions are not perfect. It also reduces the need to bring in larger crane setups for everyday picks.
The Broderson RT-400 is a great fit for construction and industrial work where access is limited and picks happen all day. It helps crews place materials with better control, which can reduce re-handling and keep the site flowing. This is especially helpful on busy projects where staging space is tight and every move counts. If you want the right match, Cropac can help you compare Broderson rough terrain cranes by capacity, boom length, and site layout.
BRODERSON RT-400 SPECIFICATIONS:
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BRODERSON RT-400 APPLICATIONS:
Every encounter I have ever had with Cropac has been an extremely positive one! Great family company. Will definitely be a customer for years to come!
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The Broderson RT-400 is the highest-capacity rough terrain crane in the Broderson family, built to handle the heaviest jobs in the toughest environments. This 20-ton machine is famous for its ‘pick and carry’ strength and its ability to work in tight spaces where larger cranes cannot go. To help you plan your next project, we have gathered the most important technical details about this crane below. These answers cover everything from the crane’s total reach and lifting power to its specialized steering modes and safety systems, giving you the facts you need to move forward with confidence.
The Broderson RT-400 is a powerhouse in the rough terrain category, offering a maximum lifting capacity of 20 U.S. tons (40,000 lbs) at a 10-foot radius. Its performance is supported by a robust four-section proportional boom. When evaluating the load chart, it is important to note that the RT-400 maintains impressive stability throughout its 360-degree rotation when the outriggers are fully extended. For operators working in confined spaces, the crane also provides specific lift capacities for “on rubber” operations and “mid-position” outrigger setups, ensuring versatility across various job site configurations.
Unlike many larger RT cranes that must remain stationary, the Broderson RT-400 is engineered for high-capacity mobility. It can perform “Pick and Carry” operations with loads up to 26,300 lbs when the load is centered over the front of the chassis. This makes it an invaluable tool for industrial facilities and sprawling construction sites where materials need to be moved from a staging area directly to the point of installation. It also helps cut down on extra handling, since you can move the load without switching machines. That can save time when the job site is crowded and access is limited. To ensure safety, the crane utilizes a heavy-duty chassis and wide-profile tires to maintain a low center of gravity while navigating uneven ground at speeds up to 3 mph.
The current generation RT-400-B is powered by a Cummins QSB4.5L Tier 4 Final Turbo Diesel engine, which delivers 163 horsepower. This engine is specifically chosen for its high torque at low RPMs, which is critical for precision lifting and navigating steep grades. The engine is paired with a 6-speed powershift transmission, providing the operator with smooth gear transitions and the ability to reach travel speeds of up to 24 mph. This combination ensures that the crane is not only powerful under load but also efficient when moving between different areas of a large job site. For the operator, it means steady power without the machine feeling jumpy or hard to control. It is a setup that supports long shifts with a lot of stop-and-go work.
The RT-400 is built for tight-squeeze jobs where space is limited and every inch counts. From the cab, the operator can switch between three steering modes to match the work area and the move being made.
Front-Wheel Steer: This is the standard steering mode for normal travel. It feels familiar, tracks straight, and is the best choice when you are moving across the yard, lining up for a longer drive, or traveling at higher speeds.
4-Wheel Coordinated Steer: In this mode, the rear wheels steer opposite the front wheels to help the crane turn in a much smaller circle. That is a big deal when you are working around obstacles, weaving between equipment, or trying to pivot in a tight bay. The RT-400 can get down to a tight turning radius of about 14 ft 5 in, which helps when space is tight.
Crab Steer: Crab steer lets the crane move diagonally instead of just forward and backward. This is the mode you use when you need to slide into position without doing a multi-point turn. It is especially useful in narrow corridors, between stored materials, or when you want to keep the boom lined up parallel to a load while you creep into the final spot.
The Broderson RT-400 is widely considered the modern successor to the legacy Pettibone 40RSC. While they occupy the same 20-ton class, the RT-400 offers significant upgrades in technology and operator comfort. The RT-400 provides roughly 25 feet of additional tip height compared to older Pettibone models and features a much more accessible “low-profile” cab. Furthermore, the RT-400 utilizes a more advanced Rated Capacity Limiter (RCL) system, providing the operator with real-time digital data on boom angle, length, and load weight, features that were often mechanical or less precise on older competitive units. That extra visibility and feedback can make setup faster and help reduce guesswork on the job. It is a strong option for crews who want a familiar size crane with more modern capability.
Safety is integrated into every aspect of the RT-400’s design. It comes standard with a Greer Insight Rated Capacity Limiter (RCL), which constantly monitors the crane’s configuration and alerts the operator as they approach the limits of the load chart. Additionally, the crane features an Internal Anti-Two-Block system to prevent the hook block from contacting the boom tip, and independent outrigger controls with motion alarms. The braking system is also a highlight, utilizing internal wet disc brakes that provide superior stopping power and longevity compared to traditional dry brakes. All of these systems work together to help the operator stay in control, especially on busy sites. That added control is important when the work area is active and conditions change throughout the day.
The standard four-section main boom on the RT-400 extends to 68 feet. However, for projects requiring vertical clearance or “up-and-over” reach, you can equip the unit with a 20-foot offsettable boom extension (jib). This brings the maximum tip height to 98 feet and the maximum horizontal reach to 85 feet. The jib is particularly useful because it can be offset at 0°, 15°, or 30°, allowing the operator to reach over rooflines or structural steel while maintaining a safe distance from the building’s edge to ensure maximum job site safety and long-term project efficiency.
One of the primary selling points of the RT-400 is that it provides 20-ton capacity without the logistical headaches of a massive footprint. It features a travel height of 11’ 2” and a width of 8’ 5”, allowing it to fit through most standard industrial bay doors and navigate narrow interior aisles. With a gross vehicle weight of approximately 51,900 lbs, it can often be transported on a standard lowboy trailer without the need for specialized “super-load” permits in many jurisdictions, significantly reducing your mobilization and demobilization costs while keeping your project timeline strictly on schedule and under budget.
Broderson has prioritized the operator’s experience to reduce fatigue during long shifts. The RT-400 features a “Cab-Down” design, meaning the operator sits lower to the ground for easier entry and exit. The cab is extra-wide (roughly 30% wider than previous generations) and features a high-back suspension seat, tilt steering wheel, and wrap-around glass for nearly 360-degree visibility. Most configurations include a high-output HVAC system (heating and air conditioning) and an ergonomic joystick control layout that allows for precise, multi-function boom movements.
The “RT” in RT-400 stands for Rough Terrain, and the crane earns this title through its high ground clearance and 70% gradeability (34 degrees). The machine is built on a high-strength steel frame designed to resist the torsional stresses of lifting on uneven ground. It utilizes large, lug-tread tires and a heavy-duty planetary drive system that provides the traction necessary to move through deep mud, loose gravel, or sandy soil. This makes it the ideal choice for “first-in” work on oil and gas sites, utility projects, and new construction where paved surfaces don’t exist yet. It is built to keep moving and keep lifting when the ground conditions are working against you. No matter how demanding the environment, this crane is engineered to deliver reliable, heavy-duty performance where other machines simply cannot go.
Not sure which Broderson crane part you need? Our team helps you identify the right components using your crane model, serial number, and daily use. We’ll guide you through part identification, fitment, and ordering with no surprises. Contact a parts specialist below for clear answers, accurate quotes, and the right Broderson parts to keep your crane running safely.
