How to use cranes in SnowRunner: An in-depth guide

For when and how to use cranes in SnowRunner, this high-flying, info-carrying guide is for you.

After more than four years of SnowRunner it is easy to forget that new truckers come along every day. Not yet familiar with the joys of tipping over. So here is a guide on how to use cranes in SnowRunner that will hook your curiosity, raise your knowledge and extend your skills. Sorry.

How to use cranes in SnowRunner: The basics

But first, the absolute basics. First we need to equip a crane, if necessary, from within the garage. Cranes are found under customisation and frame addons.

Once fitted, leave the garage and turn the engine on as cranes typically need power to work. Then press up on the D-pad or ‘V’ on PC to open the essential functions panel.

For Nintendo Switch, well, sadly I do not have one. However, if unsure there is a menu where you can see which buttons do what. Useful as a quick reminder for all platforms.

The next part is optional. However, for the sake of not tipping over I would urge you to work your way down the functions menu to select ‘activate anchor’. In doing so, legs will extend from the crane.

You can then retract the anchors to put them away when you are done craning things or select ‘reset crane’ and everything is done for you. Leaving them out when moving can be useful if you want maximum stability, but you may snag those legs on the ground and obstacles.

Moving the crane

To use the crane itself, ensure you are in the functions menu as discussed. Now press Square on PlayStation, X on Xbox or C (for crane) on PC if using a keyboard. The view should change to indicate you are now in control of the crane.

At this point, you can use the mouse or right thumbstick to change the angle of your view. You can also press the right thumbstick or mouse to change the view type, which can help with visibility. Back and forward or a roll of the mouse button zooms in and out.

To move the crane arm, use the left thumbstick or A and D on keyboard. Up and down on the left thumbstick or W and S extends and un-extends the crane arm to reach further or higher until you reach the maximum.

For moving the crane arm up and down, use the LB and RB buttons on Xbox, R1 and L1 on PlayStation and on PC it is R and F. To wind in the hook, press X, square or E. Winding it out is done by pressing Y, triangle or Q.

Mess around with the controls for a bit until you get the hang of things. Even after four years I still forget which way round it is to raise and lower the crane arm, but there is usually no harm in some trial and error.

Picking up cargo

Assuming the truck, trailer or cargo you want to pick up can be picked up, you will see a circular icon. The same as you see when using the winch manually. Unlike the auto winch button, you need to move the hook as close to the desired pick-up point until it is highlighted.

At this point, press A, X, B on keyboard or use a mouse click. This will connect the crane hook to the desired pick-up point, as indicated visually and by a noise. Now you can move the object around as you wish.

Just bear in mind that cranes have a maximum weight load and you can tip over if careless. If craning from the side is causing your truck to lean over too much, winch over the back or front of the truck by positioning it in such a way. If, of course, you have the option.

Once you have moved the cargo wherever it is you want it to go, you can use the same controls to put it down safely and then use A, X or B to detach the hook. As cargo is unbreakable, you can drop it from a great height. Trucks, however, will incur damage though it is amusing to watch.

Crane types explained

Sometimes a crane will struggle to pick something up if the arm is extended. In this instance, drag it closer to reduce leverage and try again. Sometimes this will be enough to carry heavier items.

Failing that, you can use different crane sizes. Smallest are the LC 3.8 and IM50 loading cranes, which can be used alongside a cargo bed and even a trailer on the more versatile trucks in the game such as the Azov 73210, Zikz 612H “Mastodon” and Kenworth 963.

The price of being small is, as you may have already guessed, lifting power and range. Anything too heavy and you may never get it off the ground. That is where the PC-320 and Avto-23 heavy cranes step in.

Crane lifting power is the same for both, however, the Russian Avto-23 variant is heavier though this is usually compensated for by the fact that American trucks are generally less powerful. At this size, I would strongly suggest you use the anchors and look for flat land to ensure optimal stability.

To keep the centre of balance down and stability up, avoid fully extending the crane arm unless you need to. Instead, hoist the item up or down using the string, rope, chain or whatever it is.

What about the LK-2NY?

For even bigger loads, Season 10: Fix & Connect saw the release of the LK-2NY crane. As things stand, it is the biggest crane in SnowRunner, weighing nearly 14 digital tons. Basically, twice as heavy as the Avto-23 and three times the PC-320.

As a result of being the heaviest addon, none of the eight trucks currently capable of fitting it will get anywhere fast. Expect to struggle with hills, mud and muddy hills. The Azov 73210, Zikz 612H “Mastodon” and Kenworth 963 usually do the best job, as I show in my separate big crane review.

To be honest, long drives in harsh terrain will be painful with the LK-2NY. As such, it should be treated as a last resort. With that said, the fact its legs fold all the way in means it is not going to snag on trees like the Avto-23 and PC-320.

Now, in terms of maximum power, I would not expect the medium or small cranes to pick up medium to large trucks, while the large crane can cope with lighter medium trucks, but not the likes of the Derry Special 15C-177 or Tatra T813.

Currently, few tasks in Season 10 require the use of the LK-2NY. Power Line Repair 1 and Power Line Repair 2 if I remember correctly. Maybe more will be added.

Unique cranes

Meanwhile, certain trucks get unique cranes or unique versions of standard cranes. In the former camp, we have the KRS 58 “Bandit” crane that comes pre-installed. On the Tatra Phoenix and T815-7, there is the TAT-12.

For the loading cranes, the International Loadstar 1700 and Navistar 5000-MV have versions with an extended anchor width. There is also an extended anchor for the White Western Star 4964 version of the PC-320, while the Avto-23 on the Zikz 605R gets the same thing.

You could also argue that the rear-steering CAT TH357 and its forky front-end may not be a crane but it can be used for the same purpose. Same goes for the Kirovets K700 tractor and its big grabby claws from Season 8: Grand Harvest.

Logging cranes

Next in my how to use cranes in SnowRunner guide, logging cranes. The controls are similar, except for the fact that there is no automatic hook. Instead, you need to use A, X or spacebar to open and close the claw around the log or logs. You need three separate logs to pack the cargo for a full load using the function menu.

Rotating the claw is done by pressing left or right on the D-Pad or Q and E on PC. You can load logs automatically or manually – the latter requiring the right trailer, frame addon or both depending on log size.

If you cannot pack cargo, it is possible that the logs are not correctly lined up within the log carrier or cargo bed so move them around until the pack cargo option within the function menu works. Or you have the wrong cargo bed or trailer.

Pro tip for big cargo loads: It is possible to hold cargo while you drive, adding extra cargo potential to your truck. The loading cranes are happy with one-slot cargo, while bigger cranes can hold more. Just remember to keep the crane central and as low as possible to help maintain truck stability.

To do this, attach and pick up the cargo as you normally would, put it into a position where you can drive along with it and then press B, circle or B on keyboard to back out of the crane menu. If you did not detach the hook, the cargo will remain attached as you drive along. Lovely jubbly.

And that should hopefully do it for how to use cranes in SnowRunner. Any tips of your own, carefully lower them down in the comments.